The Power 25 – Canada’s Most Influential Women in the Health Food Industry
By IHR Magazine, . Updated
Store-floor brief
- In March 2026, IHR Magazine published the Power 25, recognizing influential women in Canada's health food industry.
- The list covers leaders in distribution, retail, sales, capital and policy, from UNFI Canada and Purity Life to the Canadian Health Food Association.
- Stacey Kravitz, President of UNFI Canada, was named first, followed by Julie Drapeau of Purity Life and Brenda Kirk of Pattison Food Group.
What it means for your shelf: The list maps many of the distributors, buyers and association leaders who shape listings and shelf placement, which can help retailers and brands see who influences the category.
An Editorial Tribute to Leadership, Vision, and Industry Impact
Canada’s health food industry did not grow by accident.
It was built — product by product, shelf by shelf, regulation by regulation — by leaders who believed wellness should be accessible, credible, and commercially sustainable.
Across distribution warehouses, retail floors, boardrooms, and policy tables, women are shaping how Canadians discover, trust, and purchase natural health products. They influence what gets listed. They determine what gets funded. They defend regulatory integrity. They train staff. They move velocity. They build brands that last.
This curated Power 25 recognizes the women whose leadership is not simply visible — it is foundational.
1) Stacey Kravitz — President, UNFI Canada
Leads one of Canada’s largest natural product distribution networks, influencing which wellness brands reach national shelves and how efficiently they scale.
2) Julie Drapeau — Senior VP, Purity Life
Shapes wellness distribution strategy at scale, supporting independent retailers while expanding brand reach across Canada.
3) Brenda Kirk — Senior VP Health & Wellness, Pattison Food Group
Integrates natural health into mainstream grocery infrastructure, accelerating wellness adoption beyond specialty retail.
4) Melinda Zoccoli — UNFI Canada
Recognized industry leader associated with long-term category growth and strategic account development nationwide.
5) Isabèle Chevalier — NAD Capital
Influences capital flow into Canadian wellness brands, helping determine which companies evolve into national players.
6) Karen Sargan — Dad’s Organic Market
Represents independent retail excellence, championing education-led selling and curated wellness assortments.
7) Simona Farkas — Vita Health
Influences how wellness categories are merchandised and trusted across multiple retail locations.
8) Monica Mochoruk — Calgary Co-op
Advances natural product credibility inside grocery formats at scale.
9) Monica Walker — Healthy Planet
A dominant Ontario wellness retailer influencing consumer access and product velocity province-wide.
10) Bethany Monsaingeon — Community Natural Foods
A Western Canadian benchmark for education-driven natural retail culture.
11) Ophélie Thieblemont — La Boite à Grains
Shapes Québec’s wellness retail landscape with curated assortments and bilingual education leadership.
12) Elizabeth Hellebrand — Nutters Everyday Naturals
One of Canada’s longest-standing natural retail networks.
13) Kathy Banks — Indigo Natural Products Management
Award-recognized sales leader influencing national retail placement and sustained sell-through.
14) Deb Larocque — Assured Natural Distribution
Connects emerging brands to major accounts, accelerating distribution wins.
15) Coby Palidwar — Left Coast Naturals
Operational leadership helping plant-forward foods scale sustainably.
16) Jennifer Slattery — NOW Foods Canada
Supports supplement category growth through disciplined retail execution.
17) Felicia Silver — Marsham Natural Products
Transforms brand positioning into measurable retail performance.
18) Andrea Parete — UNFI Canada
Influences account-level strategy across national retailers.
19) Amanda Santalucia — Purity Life
Drives sell-through momentum through disciplined sales leadership.
20) Audrey Tessier — Satau
Emerging commercial force in natural product sales expansion.
21) Rebecca Llewellyn — Harmonic Arts
Advances herbal education-led retail growth nationally.
22) Sonia Parmar — VP Regulatory & Government Relations, Canadian Health Food Association
Leads policy strategy that protects innovation while strengthening consumer safety.
23) Lynsey Walker — VP Marketing & Communications, CHFA
Shapes the national narrative around natural health credibility and growth.
24) Julie Daniluk — Industry Voice
Influences consumer awareness, education, and category demand.
25) Mackie Vadacchino – Canadian Health Food Association Board
Govern industry direction, standards, advocacy, and long-term structural growth.
Why This Recognition Matters
The Canadian health food industry represents billions in economic activity, thousands of retailers, and millions of wellness-driven purchasing decisions every month.
These women:
• Influence listings
• Shape regulatory frameworks
• Allocate capital
• Drive velocity
• Build retail trust
• Protect category integrity
Leadership in wellness is not abstract. It is operational, strategic, and measurable.
This Power 25 celebrates the women whose decisions quietly shape what Canadians put on their shelves — and into their bodies.
Frequently asked questions
What is the IHR Magazine Power 25?
The Power 25 is a March 2026 IHR Magazine list recognizing 25 influential women in Canada's health food industry, working in distribution, retail, sales, capital, policy and education.
Who is on the Power 25 list of women in Canada's health food industry?
The list includes Stacey Kravitz (UNFI Canada), Julie Drapeau (Purity Life), Brenda Kirk (Pattison Food Group), Isabèle Chevalier (NAD Capital), Monica Walker (Healthy Planet), Sonia Parmar (CHFA) and Julie Daniluk, among 25 names.
Which Canadian Health Food Association leaders are on the Power 25?
The 2026 Power 25 includes Sonia Parmar, VP Regulatory and Government Relations at the CHFA; Lynsey Walker, VP Marketing and Communications at the CHFA; and Mackie Vadacchino of the CHFA Board.
Which retailers are represented on the Power 25?
Retail leaders on the 2026 list include Karen Sargan (Dad's Organic Market), Monica Mochoruk (Calgary Co-op), Monica Walker (Healthy Planet), Bethany Monsaingeon (Community Natural Foods), Ophélie Thieblemont (La Boite à Grains) and Elizabeth Hellebrand (Nutters Everyday Naturals).
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