Women in Produce logo

Launched in 2020 by CPMA in partnership with Grocery Business, Outstanding Women in Produce is an initiative that recognizes the exceptional work of women in the produce industry.

Each year, CPMA puts out a call for the industry to nominate women who have made outstanding contributions, been part of an industry-changing initiative, or stood out in their organization.

Nominations are submitted in the following categories: sales, leadership, marketing, operations, and management.

Nominees must work for a CPMA member company.

Selected honourees are featured in the March/April issue of Grocery Business magazine and recognized at a reception during CPMA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show. 

The call for the 2026 Outstanding Women in Produce is now open.

Deadline for nominations: Friday, December 5, 2025.

Submit your nomination


2025 honourees

Arabe Sovunthar

Arabe Sovunthar

Category Manager, Berries
Burnac Produce

Cara Porter

Cara Porter

Sr Director, Quality Assurance - Fresh
Loblaw Companies Limited

Gillian Digman

Gillian Digman

Chief Operating Officer
Big Marble Farms/RedHat Cooperative

Kristin Lambiris

Kristin Lambiris

Senior Director of Enterprise Operations - The Star Group
Star Produce Ltd

Lara Paulenz

Lara Paulenz

Produce Buyer
Pattison Food Group

Myriam Tremblay

Myriam Tremblay

Vice President, produce merchandising, sourcing and Replenishment
Sobeys

Pamela Kolochuk

Pamela Kolochuk

Chief Executive Officer
Peak of the Market Ltd.

Samantha Simpson

Samantha Simpson

Procurement Buyer- Melons, Nuts, and Dried Fruit
Loblaw Companies Limited

Stella Tran

Stella Tran

Produce Procurement Supervisor
Federated Cooperatives Limited

Tecla Masciarelli

Tecla Masciarelli

Director, Central Procurement – Produce
Metro


2024 honourees

Name Company
Amanda Labuckas Freshco
Ashley McPhee Loblaw Companies Limited
Ester Sattler Fresh Mix
Fernanda Albuquerque Mucci Farms
Joëlle Biron Metro Inc.
Kim Chackal Equifruit
Kori Martin Oppy
Leah Hardy Wonderful Sales
Michelle Symington Pattison Food Group
Yenifer Rambarran Loblaw Companies Limited

2023 honourees

Name Company
Amanda Knauff Taylor Farms
Audrey Desnoyers Oppy
Emily Murracas Mucci Farms 
Evelyne Rivard The Little Potato Company
Haley Cookson Save-On-Foods 
Leona Neill Red Sun Farms 
Liron Meshel Sobeys Inc. 
Melanie Wilson IGA
Ramila Mudarth Loblaw Companies Limited 
Rochelle Sardinha Gambles Group of Companies

2022 honourees

Name Company
Martine Papineau Metro Inc.
Julie Trépanier The Wonderful Company
Susanne Bertolas Oppy
Susan Leung Fresh Direct Produce
Victoria Archbold Save-On-Foods
Julie Poitras-Saulnier LOOP Mission
Jennifer Taylor Loblaw Companies Limited
Stephanie Lariviere Erie James Limited
Jennie Coleman Equifruit 
Chantal Desjardins Les Serres Lefort Inc.

2021 honourees

Name Company
Carliegh White Walmart Canada
Mireille Thibodeau Sobeys Inc.
Lindsay Young Federated Co-operatives
Jane Rhyno Highline Mushrooms 
Trudi Oberfield naturSource
Angela Santiago The Little Potato Company
Luci Faas Nature Fresh Farms 
Michèle McMillan Thomas Fresh
Ashley Pinto Loblaw Companies Limited 
Tammy Vautour Metro Richelieu Inc.