BUILDING VISIONARY LEADERS
2025 CEO & EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
CEO WRAP UP
Thank you to everyone who joined us for FHCP’s 2025 CEO & Executive Leadership Conference at the beautiful White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Whether this was your first time attending or you’ve made it an annual tradition, your participation, ideas, and energy helped make this gathering a tremendous success.
Our theme, Leading Forward, captured both the challenge and opportunity facing our industry today. Leadership in uncertain times requires more than navigating complexity — it calls for courage, adaptability, and collaboration. Over two days, we explored what it means to evolve as leaders and to guide our teams, organizations, and sector through change with purpose and confidence.
We heard from exceptional speakers who shared insights on innovation, trust, and transformation — from redefining business models and embracing technology to strengthening resilience and culture. Their stories reminded us that progress isn’t about moving fast, but about moving forward together.
Beyond the mainstage, the conversations in hallways, over dinner, and between sessions are what truly define this event. The networking and shared reflection remind us that while we may compete on store shelves, our success as a sector depends on collaboration and collective strength. In true Canadian
fashion, guests also found time to cheer on the Toronto Blue Jays as they competed in the American League Championship Series — a lively backdrop that added to the energy and camaraderie of the event.
As always, the experience was elevated by the outstanding hospitality of White Oaks and the culinary excellence of McCormick Canada, creating an atmosphere where connection and creativity could thrive.
I hope you left this year’s conference inspired, re-energized, and ready to lead forward — to embrace change with clarity, drive progress with purpose, and help shape a strong and sustainable future for Canada’s food, health, and consumer products industry.
Thank you for being part of this remarkable community of leaders. I look forward to continuing this journey together and to welcoming you back next year at the 2026 CEO & Executive Leadership Conference on October 15–16, 2026
Until then,
Michael Graydon CEO, FOOD, HEALTH & CONSUMER PRODUCTS OF CANADA
BOARD DINNER
After a day of productive meetings, the FHCP Board of Directors gathered at AMO Estate Winery for an evening that perfectly blended elegance, connection, and relaxation. Set against the backdrop of Niagara vineyards and AMO’s stunning lounge and cellar room — a space defined by its contemporary design and inviting warmth — the evening offered a memorable start to the conference.
Board members were welcomed with a selection of canapés before exploring a series of tasting stations that showcased culinary creativity and celebrated local flavours. Each dish was thoughtfully paired with signature wines, creating an experience that invited exploration and conversation in equal measure.
As always, the dinner was about more than food and wine; it was about connection. Board members had the opportunity to step away from formal settings, engage in meaningful conversation, and strengthen the relationships that drive collaboration across our industry.
Events like these exemplify FHCP’s commitment to fostering relationships and community among industry leaders, setting a collegial and optimistic tone for the conference days that followed.
“TODAY IS MEANT TO BE A CATALYST TO ACCELERATE YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR GROWTH, AND THE WAY YOU SHOW UP FOR YOUR PEOPLE.”
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
CASSANDRA WORTHY
LEADING THROUGH CHANGE: TURNING EMOTION INTO LEADERSHIP FUEL
With humour, energy, and authenticity, Cassandra Worthy challenged leaders to transform their relationship with change. Through her Chemistry of Change framework, she reframed disruption not as an obstacle but as fuel for growth and an opportunity to evolve. Cassandra reminded attendees that change itself has changed and that traditional changemanagement models no longer fit today’s reality, where transformation is constant, not episodic.
She explored how emotional intelligence is the new competitive advantage: the way leaders respond to discomfort determines
whether teams become “bitter or better.” By embracing the emotions of change — frustration, fear, excitement — leaders can convert resistance into resilience. Her session inspired participants to leave equipped with a new mindset: one that sees change as the spark that accelerates progress rather than slows it down.
CASSANDRA WORTHY
“THE FASTEST WAY TO SPEED UP HUMAN CONNECTION IS TO SLOW DOWN.”
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
ERIC TERMUENDE
SNOWFLAKES AND FINGER PRINTS: ATTRACTING AND RETAINING TOMORROW’S TOP TALENT
Eric Termuende delivered a dynamic session on building teams that thrive in the future of work. Using his “Four Hs” framework — heroes, heartbreaks, hopes, and history — he illustrated how leaders can deepen connection and build trust by setting a vulnerability bar that invites authenticity.
With humour and relatable anecdotes, Eric reminded the audience that engagement is not what we fix; it’s what happens when we fix what’s broken. From “gas-station-sushi” trust analogies to simple takeaways about what truly motivates
people, his message was clear: culture isn’t built through grand gestures but through consistent, human-centred leadership. He encouraged leaders to plant their flag — defining their team’s purpose and values — and create workplaces where people feel both safe and inspired to contribute their best.
ERIC TERMUENDE
“IN A TIME OF DISRUPTION, LEADERSHIP IS NOT JUST ABOUT PREDICTING THE FUTURE — IT’S ABOUT PREPARING FOR IT.”
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
DAVID FRUM
LEADING THROUGH POLITICAL UPHEAVAL: A FIRESIDE CHAT WITH DAVID FRUM AND FHCP CEO MICHAEL GRAYDON
David Frum brought a global lens to the conference, offering a nuanced, thought-provoking exploration of the shifting political and economic landscape through a fireside chat with FHCP CEO, Michael Graydon. With his characteristic clarity and candour, he examined how geopolitics, populism, and economic realignment are reshaping trade, policy, and business strategy across North America and beyond.
Frum underscored that stability and progress depend on foresight and collaboration — both within nations and among industries that bridge them. He discussed the implications of rising protectionism,
the influence of U.S. politics on Canada’s competitiveness, and the urgent need for pragmatic leadership rooted in shared values. His insights challenged leaders to see disruption as a test of readiness rather than a source of fear. By anchoring decision-making in fact, empathy, and long-term thinking, Frum reminded the audience that leadership’s true task is not to wait for certainty, but to build it.
DAVID FRUM
“HOPE WASN’T ALWAYS EASY, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO ME AS A CHOICE.”
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
AMANDA LINDHOUT
THE ADVERSITY UNLOCK: REFRAMING CHALLENGES AS ASSETS TO CUT THROUGH CHANGE AND LEAD WITH OPTIMISM
Amanda Lindhout shared a profoundly moving story of survival, resilience, and optimism drawn from her experience as a hostage in Somalia. Through her keynote, she offered a masterclass in reframing adversity — illustrating that strength and hope are choices cultivated through awareness and perspective.
She urged leaders to focus on what they can control and to guide their teams toward light, even amid uncertainty. By teaching organizations to collect peak moments and small wins, Amanda showed how optimism can become a cultural practice
— one that helps teams rise above external challenges and remain rooted in what’s working. Her message of compassion, presence, and purpose reminded every listener that adversity, when met with hope, can become a catalyst for transformation.
AMANDA LINDHOUT
“NOT EVERYBODY NEEDS A SEAT AT THE TABLE, BUT EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE A VOICE AROUND THE TABLE.”
COMMANDER PAUL SMITH
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
COMMANDER PAUL SMITH
BREAKING THE MOLD: LEADERSHIP THAT REDEFINES WHAT’S POSSIBLE
Commander Paul Smith delivered a powerful session grounded in real-world leadership lessons from his decorated naval career — and received a standing ovation. As the first Black officer to command a ship in the Royal Canadian Navy, Smith shared how clarity, empowerment, and resilience form the three pillars of effective leadership.
He described how teams perform best when they understand why their mission matters, are empowered to act, and trust that their leaders will steer with integrity. Drawing on vivid analogies — from storm-battered trees that bend and grow stronger to ships
that only progress when every crew member moves in unison — he illustrated the balance between adaptability and resilience. His message resonated deeply: leadership is not about authority but about enabling others to thrive, learn, and go a little further in every endeavour.
“HOPE IS ENERGY FOR CHANGE.”
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
NIKOLAS BADMINTON
FACING OUR FUTURES: LOOKING TO 2030 AND BEYOND
Nikolas Badminton challenged the audience to rethink their relationship with the future — to shift their mindset from what is to what if. Drawing connections between global economics, climate realities, and the rapid integration of AI, he argued that every organization must become its own engine of sustainability and reinvention.
He called on leaders to learn, unlearn, and relearn; to question assumptions; and to look for pockets of the future in the present. By embracing creativity, experimentation, and cross-sector collaboration, the industry can unlock opportunities that will
define the next era of growth. Nikolas left the audience with a challenge: question your own history and perspectives, because the work of shaping tomorrow doesn’t start in the future — it starts right now.
NIKOLAS BADMINTON
“WE HAVE A GENERATION OF CANADIANS WHO CANNOT EVEN DREAM OF OWNING A HOUSE — AND THAT’S AN EMERGENCY.”
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
BENJAMIN TAL
WHAT KIND OF AN ECONOMY CAN CANADA EXPECT IN 2026?
With his trademark wit and candour, Benjamin Tal delivered an unflinching look at the global and domestic forces shaping Canada’s economic landscape. He explored the ripple effects of trade tensions, housing challenges, AI-driven labour shifts, and fiscal imbalances — warning that complacency is Canada’s biggest risk.
Tal urged leaders to recognize that economic resilience depends on both investment and imagination. From the frozen housing market to education’s shifting value, he highlighted the need for bold, evidence-based policy and private-sector investment
in innovation and productivity. His insights were clear and urgent: for Canada to thrive, it must tackle affordability, competitiveness, and inclusion head-on — because prosperity without participation is unsustainable.
SESSION SPONSOR:
BENJAMIN TAL
“BILL IS A FANTASTIC MC - WARM, ENGAGING, AND EFFORTLESSLY PROFESSIONAL. HIS SMILE AND POSITIVE ENERGY SET THE TONE FOR THE EVENT, AND HIS APPROACH TO HOSTING STRUCK THE PERFECT BALANCE.”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
OUR EMCEE
BILL WILLIAMS
Returning once again as our Event Emcee, Bill Williams set the tone for the 2025 CEO & Executive Leadership Conference with his trademark warmth, professionalism, and humour. A trusted leader and friend of FHCP, Bill guided the two-day program with ease — seamlessly connecting sessions, celebrating milestones, and creating a welcoming environment for both returning and first-time attendees.
Throughout the event, his ability to balance insight with levity kept energy high and engagement strong. His steady presence on stage helped ensure the conference ran smoothly while reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and optimism that defines Leading Forward.
PETER LUIK PRESIDENT
AWARD OF DISTINCTION
“Peter is the kind of leader who combines business vision with a real sense of responsibility to people — whether they’re his employees, his community, or the broader industry. From modernizing manufacturing to strengthening supply chains and advocating for our sector’s future, his work has had a lasting impact. This award recognizes not just what he has achieved, but how he has achieved it—with integrity, determination, and a commitment to doing what’s right.”
MICHAEL GRAYDON, CEO, FOOD, HEALTH & CONSUMER PRODUCTS OF CANADA
FHCP’s Governance Committee bestows this award to deserving individuals whose achievements and contributions to both FHCP and the Canadian food, health, and consumer products manufacturing industry demonstrate excellence.
On Thursday, October 16, before a room filled with peers, colleagues, and friends, FHCP proudly presented the 2025 Award of Distinction to Peter Luik , President of Dare Foods Canada.
For more than a decade, Peter has led Dare Foods through a period of sustained growth and innovation, guiding one of Canada’s most iconic family-owned food companies into its next era of success. Under his leadership, Dare has continued to invest in world-class manufacturing here at home, strengthened its commitment to ethical sourcing through the company’s 2024
Modern Slavery Report, and deepened its community impact during challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Peter’s influence extends far beyond his company. As Chair of FHCP’s Manufacturing Management Committee, he has been a strong advocate for Canadian manufacturing, championing the policies, partnerships, and investment needed to keep the sector competitive and resilient on the global stage.
Peter now joins a distinguished group of past recipients — including recent recipients, Carol Stewart (2019), Margaret Hudson and Jamie Moody (2022), Dino Bianco (2023), and Elizabeth (Liz) Beemer (2024) — all recognized for their exceptional contributions to leadership, innovation, and the continued growth of Canada’s food, health, and consumer products industry.
CHEF JURIAAN SNELLEN
EXECUTIVE CORPORATE CHEF
MCCORMICK NORTH AMERICA
M C CORMICK FLAVOR FORECAST
McCormick Canada once again delighted attendees with its annual Flavor Forecast , now in its 26th edition — a showcase of the emerging tastes, textures, and culinary inspirations shaping the future of food.
Ahead of Thursday evening’s dinner, McCormick offered an interactive salsa-tasting experience where guests sampled inventive variations and discovered the “secret ingredient” — a playful and engaging way to bring the forecast to life.
Executive Corporate Chef Juriaan Snellen designed a mouth-
watering dinner menu centred around the 2025 Flavor of the Year, Aji Amarillo — a bold, vibrant Peruvian chili pepper with a sweet-spicy profile. Complementing this focal flavour were three trend pillars shaping the way chefs and food innovators are reimagining flavour across dishes: Tropical Vibes, embracing warm-weather produce, island cuisines, and fruity-spicy pairings; Charred & Smoked, elevating ingredients through fire, smoke, contrast, and depth; and Deliciously Unexpected, reinterpreting familiar tastes through surprising combinations and “what-if” pairings.
The dinner masterfully incorporated these themes from starter to dessert, offering a sensory journey that underscored McCormick’s commitment to flavour innovation and storytelling through cuisine.
“LOVED IT!!!! A TRUE HIGHLIGHT
NETWORKING
Networking opportunities with industry peers to connect and share best practices continue to draw attendees to our CEO & Executive Leadership Conference year after year. Our networking breaks are where ambition meets mentorship, and where a “hello” can ignite an idea that sets our industry ablaze. Our guests aren’t networking to collect business cards; they’re networking to collect moments of connection that buzz with potential — making our CEO & Executive Leadership Conference a powerhouse of possibility.
NETWORKING
“ FANTASTIC EVENT FOR NETWORKING. I LEFT WITH SO MANY NEW CONTACTS (AND FRIENDS!)”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
MEMBERSHIP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
SPECIAL THANKS
TREVOR SQUIRES
General Manager
NA Food Away from Home & Country Manager – Canada
MCCORMICK CANADA COMMITTEE CHAIR
MARIA KAROUNIS
General Manager, Nutrition Canada
ABBOTT LABORATORIES, CO.
FHCP’s annual CEO & Executive Leadership Conference brings together CEOs and senior executives from across the industry to connect with peers, exchange insights, and learn from leading experts shaping the future of Canada’s food, health, and consumer products sector.
The success of this event is made possible through the guidance and dedication of FHCP’s Membership Management Committee . Their leadership, industry expertise, and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional member value help shape every aspect of the conference — from its theme and content to the outstanding speakers who inspire and inform. Their continued contributions ensure the event remains relevant, engaging, and reflective of the issues that matter most to our members.
STACEY KRAVITZ
President
UNFI CANADA
MICHAEL LINES
Chairman & CEO
WELLNESS NATURAL INC.
BRENT FALVO
SVP International & GM Canada
REYNOLDS CONSUMER PRODUCTS CANADA INC.
JERRY MANCINI
President & General Manager Canada
DOLE FOODS OF CANADA LTD.
STEPHANIE HAVERSTICK
SVP, Head of Operations Canada
VITA HEALTH PRODUCTS INC.
ISABELLE MARQUART
Executive Director, General Manager Canada
S.C. JOHNSON AND SON, LIMITED
BOB OOMMEN
CEO
BIOFORCE CANADA INC. / A.VOGEL
TAMARA SEALES
President SEAFORD
PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
SIMON
SMALL
Executive Director
THE GROCERY FOUNDATION
“THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE OF THE EVENT WAS FANTASTIC. IT WAS ENERGIZING, INSPIRING, AND FILLED WITH MEANINGFUL TAKEAWAYS. I LEFT FEELING RECHARGED AND REMINDED OF THE CORE PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP.”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
“ALWAYS A GREAT EVENT, BEST INDUSTRY CONFERENCE I ATTEND!”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
“ ANOTHER ELECTRIFYING EXPERIENCE. THANKS FOR ‘LEADING US FORWARD’.”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
“AS ALWAYS, FANTASTIC SPEAKERS, EXCELLENT VENUE (OFF THE CHARTS) AND LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO SEE MY FRIENDS IN THE BIZ / MEET NEW FOLKS.”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
“THE MOST EXCELLENT CONFERENCE THAT I HAVE ATTENDED IN MY 20-YEAR CAREER.”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
“I LEFT THESE TWO DAYS WITH SO MUCH LEARNING AND GROWTH. THANK YOU FHCP AND THIS COMMUNITY FOR AN ENGAGING AND THOUGHTFUL COUPLE OF DAYS.”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
“ TRULY SUPERB. I AM MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND ENTHUSIASTIC THAN BEFORE THIS EVENT, AND GAINED ALOT OF VALUE. ”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
“
LIFE CHANGING.”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
“A VERY GOOD SELECTION OF SPEAKERS, TERRIFIC NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES AND A COMFORTABLE PLACE CLOSE TO TORONTO.”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
“AS ALWAYS, THE EVENT DID NOT DISAPPOINT — HIGH-IMPACT DISCUSSIONS, INSPIRING SPEAKERS, AND A STRONG SENSE OF SHARED PURPOSE ACROSS THE FOOD, HEALTH, AND CPG INDUSTRIES.”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
“BEEN MANY, MANY TIMES. FAV EVENT OF THE YEAR.”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
“WHAT A FANTASTIC CONFERENCE AND CONNECT! I’VE ATTENDED NOW FOR 12 YEARS AND IT CONTINUES TO BE MY FAVOURITE ANNUAL CONNECT.” CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
“IT MAKES ME THINK AND STIMULATES ME WHEN I GET BACK TO MY OFFICE AND I LOVE THAT. I LOVE SEEING INDUSTRY COLLEAGUES AND JUST SPENDING TIME TOGETHER AS PEOPLE.”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
“IT WAS A PRIVILEGE TO CONNECT WITH MANY INDUSTRY LEADERS IN OPEN, THOUGHTPROVOKING CONVERSATIONS. SHARING OUR PASSION FOR OUR RESPECTIVE BUSINESSES IS INSPIRING!”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
“I THOUGHT THE CONFERENCE HAD A GREAT BUZZ TO IT. GREAT LINE UP OF SPEAKERS WHILE GETTING TO SEE FAMILIAR AND NEW FACES.”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
“GREAT EVENT THAT WE LOOK FORWARD TO EVERY YEAR.”
CONFERENCE ATTENDEE
THANK YOU TO OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS
SCAN THE QR CODE TO SEE THE FULL ATTENDEE LIST CHECK OUT WHO WAS THERE!
PHOTO GALLERY
Explore the essence of our unforgettable conference through our exclusive photo gallery:
