Claude Bernier
EVP, marketing and customer innovations, Rona
Since November 2008, Claude Bernier has helmed marketing and customer innovations for Rona, Totem and Réno Dépôt. He is also in charge of operations for the Totem banner in Alberta. Bernier manages a budget of more than $150 million and a team of nearly 80. Since 1976, he has worked for companies such as P&G and Sports Experts, and ad agencies such as Planicom PNMD, Publicité BCP and Groupe Morrow. He joined Ro-Na Dismat (now Rona) as the company’s director of marketing in 1988.
Ersilia Serafini
CEO, Summerhill Group
As CEO of Toronto-based eco-consultancy Summerhill, Ersilia Serafini works with retailers, utilities, manufacturers, industry, non-profits and government to create programs and strategies that move the market towards sustainability. She lends her expertise on several advisory committees, including the Ontario Environmental Leaders Program, and acts as the environmental representative of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). As well, Serafini volunteers her time with the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research Canada, is a member of The Climate Project Canada and has recently been appointed to the Young President’s Organization.
Andrea Dil
Brand manager, Cisco Canada
Andrea Dil, who joined Cisco in 2007, managed the “One Million Acts of Green” campaign which was the overall Cause + Action winner last year. Prior to joining Cisco, Dil built her experience in technology marketing at Richmond Hill, ON.-based enterprise content management company Hummingbird, now rebranded as Open Text Connectivity Solutions.
Margaret McKellar
Brand manager, Unilever Canada
Margaret McKellar has over 15 years of management experience in consumer packaged goods, has led such Unilever brands as Dove, Vaseline, Lipton and Sunlight and currently manages Becel. She is no stranger to social mission marketing, and has in recent years led multi-platform campaigns winning awards from D&AD, Festival of Media, CASSIES and sponsorship awards. Becel’s “Love Your Heart” campaign was a Cause + Action winner last year.
Adine Mees
President and CEO, Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR)
Prior to joining CBSR as executive director in 2001, Adine Mees was an exec within the Vancity group of companies. She was appointed VP marketing and corporate responsibility for Citizens Bank of Canada in May 1998, and has 15 years experience in CSR marketing and branding, communications, strategic planning and facilitation. She was a founding board member of CBSR in 1995, and in 1996 facilitated the development of corporate Canada’s first CSR guidelines, CBSR’s “Good Company Guidelines.” She recently guest authored a chapter in the book Global Profit and Global Justice, titled “Better Business, Better World: Leaders who are changing business from the inside out.”
Natasha Renaud
Director, communications and social responsibility, Grand & Toy
Natasha Renaud joined Toronto-based Grand & Toy in 2006 with more than 10 years of experience in corporate communications. In addition to managing corporate communications at Grand & Toy, she is also responsible for the company’s corporate social responsibility strategy and programs. Renaud ensures that Grand & Toy’s efforts are communicated to its customers and that the company remains on target with its sustainability efforts.
Alex Gill
Principal, Mendicant Group
Alex Gill currently heads Mendicant Group, a consultancy that helps charities and nonprofit organizations improve their social impact. Prior to founding Mendicant, Gill spent more than a dozen years as an executive at a number of large non-profits and associations such as Imagine Canada and the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy. He also serves as the executive director of the Ontario Environment Industry Association (ONEIA), which represents the interests of the province’s growing environmental services, technology and products sector. Gill teaches part-time in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Toronto’s Ryerson University and is co-author of the book AIM: Achieve, Inspire, Make a Difference.
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SunChips grows a greener brand
