2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Aliki Zacharia (Q&A)

Aliki Zacharia

VP, Corporate Affairs & Communication 
GS1 Canada

How did you get started in the grocery business?

I grew up and started my career on the East Coast, where I was working as the community relations manager for an AHL hockey team. When I moved to Toronto, I found my way into the grocery industry through the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. That was my introduction to the sector, and I spent several years supporting programming, planning and execution for major industry events. Through that network, an opportunity came up with another industry association that had recently rebranded as GS1 Canada. I joined as the first and only member of what was then a newly established corporate affairs function.

What are your proudest career accomplishments?

One of the things I am most proud of is the evolution of the corporate affairs function at GS1 Canada. I joined as the first member of that team and, over time, we built out a much broader function that supports governance, corporate communications, stakeholder engagement, translation, facilities and the overall experience we create for our board, councils, committees, employees and industry partners.

I am also proud of the work we have done to strengthen our governance framework. Governance can sometimes sound administrative but, at its best, it supports trust, clarity and good decision-making. In a sector like grocery, where things move quickly and trusted data and standards matter, that work becomes even more important. For me, the goal has always been to make the time and experience of our industry board members transparent, structured and valuable, so their input is supported by the right context and can help move the work forward in a meaningful way.

How would you describe your leadership style?

I asked my team how they would answer this question. They described me as honest, open, direct, accountable, strategic and human-centred. They also said I balance seriousness with humour, which feels about right. I have high expectations, but I believe people do their best work when they feel trusted, supported and respected. For me, leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about creating the conditions where people can contribute, learn, challenge, grow and still feel like themselves while doing it.

How do you make tough decisions when there are no easy answers?

I do not believe tough decisions should be made in isolation. When there is no obvious answer, I start by gathering the right perspectives. That means listening to people who understand the issue, people who may be impacted by the decision and people who will be honest with me. I look for the facts, but I also pay attention to context, timing, risk and the human impact.

I try to be as transparent as possible about what can be shared, what is still unknown and what is guiding the decision. No one has a crystal ball, so the goal is not perfection. The goal is to make the most thoughtful decision possible with the information available, and to be able to stand behind the process and the intent. 

What is the best career advice you have received?

 Own and embrace your achievements, and don’t compare the value of your role or contribution to someone else’s. That sounds simple, but it is not always easy. Depending on your background, your upbringing or where you are in your career, advocating for yourself can feel uncomfortable. Early on, I thought the work would speak for itself, and sometimes it does, but only if people are paying attention and are open to seeing it. I have learned that you can be proud of your work and still be humble. You can advocate for yourself without losing your authenticity. You can recognize the value you bring without needing to diminish anyone else’s. That is advice I would share with anyone, especially women who may be waiting for someone else to notice their contribution. Do the work, absolutely, but also learn how to name your impact, own your space and be your own advocate.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

Outside of work, my life is really about family, friends, books and a lot of time in gyms, arenas and on sidelines. I have a teenager who plays competitive sports, so a good portion of my unpaid job is being the driver, cheerleader, videographer, therapist and occasional trainer. As a family, we also love games and competition, whether it’s mini golf, ping pong or anything where someone can jokingly claim bragging rights. Wednesday nights are always reserved for Survivor. We love the strategy, the social manoeuvring, the twists and, honestly, the chaos. It is basically governance, alliances and risk management, but with torches.

Click here for the full list of 2026 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.