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Michel Rochette has been at the heart of Quebec’s economic and political ecosystem for more than 20 years and is the president of the Quebec section of the Retail Council of Canada since 2021. An outstanding communicator, Mr. Rochette has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of public policy and trade issues affecting the retail sector in Quebec. A university lecturer, he is also the author of the book 150 ans de petites et grandes révolutions, published in 2017. Earlier in his career, Mr. Rochette served as vice-president of the Conseil du patronat du Québec (CPQ), as an executive with the renowned public relations firm NATIONAL, and in political and government circles in Quebec.

Michi Furuya Chang is Senior Vice President, Public Policy & Regulatory Affairs at Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP). In this role Michi works with FHCP’s manufacturing member organizations to bring industry’s voice, expertise and insights in providing evidence and science-based solutions to government’s food, health and consumer products public policy and regulatory initiatives.
Michi brings a unique and multi-sectoral perspective to all regulatory and policy development work. Prior to joining FHCP in 2016, Michi spent a combined 25 years working in public health, Sobeys Incorporated, and 15 years with Kraft Heinz. Michi currently sits on the government’s Agile Regulations Roundtable (ARRT) and is a previous member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research (CFDR) and CFDR’s Scientific Review Committee. As a Registered Dietitian she always ensures keeping the needs of the consumer at the forefront, and by having first-hand experience in the public and private sectors, she is able to help identify optimal solutions that meet the needs of all stakeholders. Michi obtained both her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Master of Health Science in Public Health degrees from the University of Toronto. She is a Registered Dietitian and a member of the College of Dietitians of Ontario and Dietitians of Canada.

Andrew Parshad is the President, CEO, and founder of Quality Smart Solutions and Quality Import Solutions, a leading North American compliance solutions provider. His companies specialize in regulatory and quality assurance services to help brands and ingredient manufacturers comply with FDA and Health Canada regulations across various industries, including dietary supplements, foods, cosmetics, OTC drugs, and medical devices.

Andrew has held key roles in multinational organizations before launching his own ventures. In 2007, he founded Quality Smart Solutions, which has since supported over 3500 clients navigating complex regulatory landscapes. Quality Import Solutions was established as a Health Canada-licensed importer for foods and natural health products, further expanding the range of services offered to clients.

Andrew Macdonald is Director of PAC Next, the sustainable packaging program of PAC Global, a nonprofit packaging industry association dedicated to education, innovation and sustainability.  Andrew co-instructs PAC’s Sustainable Packaging course, is a judge for the PAC Global Awards, and an organizer with PAC’s annual Disruptors Summit for packaging innovation.

En tant que Directrice de l’Innovation Régionale (Ontario) au Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN), Marsha Druker stimule l’innovation alimentaire en finançant des projets foodtech transformateurs, en favorisant la collaboration et en soutenant une communauté grandissante de professionnels de l’alimentation et des boissons. CFIN a construit la communauté d’affaires agroalimentaire la plus dynamique et en pleine croissance au Canada, rassemblant des membres du monde entier représentant toutes les étapes de la chaîne de valeur alimentaire. Marsha travaille à établir des partenariats stratégiques et à mener des initiatives qui aident l’industrie alimentaire à évoluer et prospérer.

Au-delà de son travail chez CFIN, Marsha est la fondatrice de Fuckup Nights Toronto, une série de conférences mettant en avant l’apprentissage par l’échec. Grâce à cette plateforme, elle a créé une communauté florissante où les entrepreneurs partagent ouvertement leurs expériences, favorisant une culture de résilience et de croissance. Son travail a été mis en avant par Forbes, Bay Street Bull’s Top 30 Under 30, CBC The National, CTV The Social, et bien d’autres.

Marsha est passionnée par la création de communautés dans l’écosystème entrepreneurial et par la promotion de l’innovation.

Vince has been a foodie since long before that became a fake word, developing his passion for food and cooking, in his Italian mama’s kitchen. Since graduating university with a business degree, he has succeeded in numerous roles across the food and foodservice industry. From sales to marketing, distribution to product development, from manufacturers to operators. Currently, as Director and Foodservice Industry Analyst at The NPD Group, Canada, he shares his unique perspective on food and the foodservice industry, and helps clients improve their business. When not keeping busy analyzing the business, you can find him preparing meals for family or friends, or out in the neighbourhood trying out the latest new restaurant. And analyzing the menu of course. Vince is a frequent presenter at foodservice industry events, and provides industry insights to media such as CBC News, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Yahoo Business, Menu Magazine and Foodservice and Hospitality Magazine.

Jo-Ann has spent her career building consumer and retail brands at Molson, Procter and Gamble, Unilever and Cadillac Fairview.

As Division President of Molson Coors and a member of its North American Management Board, Jo-Ann led the charge to sell more beer more profitably.
As founding partner and president of Nourish Food Marketing, Jo-Ann now builds powerful food and beverage brands in Canada, the United States and Europe, developing marketing strategies that help move products from the shelf to the consumer’s shopping cart, to their plate and to their heart.

She has worked with entrepreneurs to launch award-winning products and with municipal, provincial and federal agencies to create programs that support the Canadian food industry. She has also been an instructor at the Schulich Executive School of Business, FoodStarter (a food incubator), and the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada and the Association of Canadian Advertisers.

Jo-Ann is the Founding Chair of the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada, Past President of the Empire Club of Canada, where she has hosted leaders from around the world, and Past President of ABC Life Literacy Canada. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Chapter of the Dames d’Escoffier.

The NEO principals at Dyversity Communications include Terence Tse, General Manager, who focuses on driving innovation and strategic planning to drive multicultural engagement. With a background in operational management, Terence is passionate about cultivating an inclusive, high-performing culture. His leadership has been instrumental in positioning Dyversity as a frontrunner in multicultural marketing, enabling brands to authentically engage with diverse communities across Canada.

Gilles Froment was recently elected President of the International Dairy Federation (IDF) after serving on the Board of Directors for the past 4 years and as IDF Treasurer since 2022. Within this role, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Global Dairy Platform and as a Governor of the Dairy Sustainability Framework.  Before that, he was Chair of the IDF Standing Committee on Dairy Policy and Economics from 2014 to 2020.

Gilles is also the Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations at Lactalis Canada Inc. Gilles joined Lactalis Canada in 2016 and is a member of the Executive Team responsible for overseeing milk supply, regulatory affairs, trade, internal and external communications as well as relations with dairy farmers, government, industry stakeholders and associations.

As an economist, a trusted advisor and a recognized leader in the dairy industry in Canada and worldwide, Gilles came to Lactalis Canada in 2016 from the Canadian Dairy Commission where he served for almost 20 years culminating in the position of Chief Operating Officer after holding positions at the Canadian Turkey Marketing Agency and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

He serves as an executive member on various industry Boards and associations including the Dairy Processors Association of Canada where he chairs the DPAC Policy Committee.  He is also the Chair of the Ontario Dairy Council (ODC) since March 2023 and is a founding Board member of the Western Dairy Council (WDC).

Gilles holds a B.Sc. in Economics from the University of Montreal as well as an M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from McGill University.  He grew up on the family farm near Joliette, Quebec which is now operated by his two brothers.

Gail Gastelu has a long and impressive 20 year background in the tea industry.  She owns and operates her own business, publishes The Tea House Times in print and digitally, travels to cover newsworthy tea gatherings, samples new products, and reviews wonderful tea rooms, restaurants, and destinations which sell or serve tea around the world. Gail is closely involved with dignitaries of foreign tea growing countries of origin and has been exclusively invited as media to experience tea plantations, factories, processing, and tea culture first hand. She speaks about tea and judges competitions too.  Gail is also producer of TeaTradeShow.com (open 24/7), TeaCourse.com and Tea Course Fast Track, co-owner of TeaEtiquetteCertified.com. Connecting businesses and consumers since 2003, her passion and drive is to help tea businesses grow and to promote tea appreciation to all.  Gail has served as an officer or advisory board member to several associations, trade shows, and organizations over the years. Her communications and relationships with businesses, consumers, and media cross the tea industry, functional beverages, nutrition, and skincare industries. Gail maintains relationships with The Tea Association of the USA, Tea and Herbal Association of Canada, UK Tea & Infusions Association, Mid Atlantic Tea Business Association, New York Women’s Culinary Alliance, Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Cosmetic Industry Buyers and Suppliers, and Cosmetic Executive Women.

Jean-Sébastien Michel is a Quebec entrepreneur born in Sept-Iles in 1981 who specializes in cocktail ingredients, glassware and bar accessories, wines and spirits. After graduate studies at Concordia and UdeM in political science with a focus on alcohol prohibitions and discourses, he decided to combine his passion for liquids and human behavior by working in the retail sector. First managing the oldest wine accessories store in Montreal, he launched Alambika in 2012, a precursor to the current cocktail trend.

Today, the company, with boutique and online presence, supplies hundreds of bars and restaurants across Canada and the US, has a national distribution line representing some 50 artisanal houses and develops original accessories and glasses with various Quebec trades. Described as the “secret weapon of the Montreal cocktail scene” by Eater magazine, it now promotes the Quebec offer through partnerships with the wine and cocktail world, SIAL, La Grande Dégustation de Montréal, event support, educational workshops and a cocktail column in Le Devoir.