SIAL Innovation

Xavier Terlet is the Founder and President of XTC World Innovation.

Xavier Terlet began his career in the retail industry in France, working for the Carrefour Group in 1983.

In 1988, he founded the company “Nouveaux Produits Nouveaux Marchés,” which later became XTC World Innovation.

His firm is one of the world’s leading consultancies specializing in food innovation monitoring, research, and advisory services.

XTC World Innovation provides in-depth analyses, market trend studies, and industry insights that serve as key decision-making tools for innovation strategies.

As the Innovation Expert of SIAL, Xavier Terlet created the first “Trends & Innovation Space” for SIAL Paris in 1996. Its success has since expanded to SIAL Canada, SIAL China, and more recently, SIAL Middle East, SIAL Brazil, and this year, SIAL ASEAN.

Xavier Terlet is also the author of “Drôles de Goût” (Glénat Editions) and is currently working on another book to share his expertise in food innovation trends.

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.

Susy leads innovation for Canada’s largest contract food and support services company, a $2 billion industry leader, bringing a career’s worth of foodservice expertise to the forefront of transformation. Her journey began in operations and evolved into national marketing leadership, giving her a unique perspective on both the strategic and practical sides of the business.

Today, Susy operates at the intersection of strategy and execution, driving the development and rollout of innovation pilots across 12 diverse sectors. With a focus on operational excellence and cross-functional collaboration, she is passionate about delivering practical, results-driven solutions that create sustainable, measurable impact. Susy is known for guiding teams through change with clarity and purpose, helping shape what’s next for the industry.

Jonathan Drever is a seasoned retail professional with extensive experience in the retail and brand management sectors.  Currently a Brand Manager for the Private Brands team at Longo’s, Jonathan is responsible for driving the development and execution of the private label offerings to enhance the guest experience and drive sales.  Known for a passion for innovation and delivering results, Jonathan combines deep industry knowledge with a hands-on approach to continously elevate Longo’s Private Brands.

Meredith is an inspired and strategic business enthusiast with over 20 years of diverse experience in CPG sales and marketing. A dynamic sales leader, brand growth strategist, and retail expert, she has a proven track record of driving revenue and scaling businesses. She has played a pivotal role in expanding market presence and accelerating sales for leading brands across North America. Known for her creative energy and results-driven approach, Meredith turns ideas into action and challenges into opportunities. CHNGMKR is a curated collective of visionary business strategists and experts supporting CPG brands to grow strategically, creatively, profitably and sustainably. From product inception to launch, to securing widespread distribution, to driving product velocities – CHNGMKR knows how to scale brands with lasting positive change.

A professional in nutrition, food marketing, and communication with over 20 years of experience, Isabelle Marquis has developed a unique multidisciplinary expertise, gained through both consulting agencies and food processing companies. Known for her rigorous approach, contagious passion, and strategic creativity, Isabelle is also an exceptional communicator who knows how to inspire and mobilize.

As Marketing Director for Grocery and HRI at Groupe Première Moisson Inc., she was responsible for numerous innovation projects and product launches, in addition to actively contributing to business development in both the Canadian and U.S. markets. Now working independently, Ms. Marquis supports companies of all sizes in the Quebec and Canadian food sectors with communication, marketing, and innovation strategies. Since 2018, she has served as Innovation Ambassador for SIAL Canada and collaborates with specialized magazines and the show L’épicerie on Ici Radio-Canada Télé.

Sav Bellissimo is the Senior Manager, Product Development for Federated Co-operatives Limited for the past 12 years.
Sav has been in the food industry for over 30 years with a key focus on brand and product development, as well as, private label. A graduate from the University of Guelph, Sav has a reputation as an adapative stratigic leader with a proven ability in identifying and captilizing on emerging market trends. Sav is passionate about local producers and the importance of establishing closer ties between the products on the shelf and the farmers who grow the ingredients.

Richa is a visionary marketing leader with over 12 years of experience in the CPG, F&B, and advertising industries. As the Category Manager – Sauces and Dressings, Food BU North America at Giraffe Foods, a Symrise AG company, she specializes in strategy development, category growth, marketing management and guiding cross-functional teams.
Recognized for her expertise in driving innovation and fostering collaboration, Richa has a proven track record in developing data-driven marketing strategies, building brand equity, and enhancing customer engagement. Her experience spans leading high-performing teams, optimizing sales funnels, and spearheading go-to-market initiatives for mid to large-sized corporations across North America and South Asia.
Beyond her corporate role, Richa is passionate about thought leadership, storytelling, and mentoring emerging professionals. She has appeared as a guest lecturer on marketing and strategy for MBA students at Northeastern University and startups. She is also an alumnus of INSEAD’s ‘Developing Emerging Leaders’ program and holds an MBA.
Outside of work, Richa enjoys exploring quaint travel destinations, engaging in coffee-fueled conversations, and reading books on history, magic realism, travel, and geopolitics.

Doris Chan is a creative marketing professional with nearly 20 years of experience in advertising. She specializes in building brands through impactful, multicultural ideas, and leads young creative teams with a focus on innovation and design excellence. Outside of work, Doris is an avid home cook and vegetable gardener, growing everything from cherry tomatoes to Chinese chives. She also has experience in food styling, combining her eye for detail with her love of food. With a unique mix of creativity, strategy, and foodie flair, Doris helps brands connect with audiences in authentic and memorable ways.

Carol Zweep has been involved in the packaging industry for over 30 years. Carol is currently a member of PAC Global Central Region Leadership Council. She worked at Conestoga College as Research, Packaging Lead performing packaging research work with knowledge of related theory, principles and practices. At NSF, Carol was responsible for Regulatory and Product & Process Innovation teams. Prior to joining NSF, she worked at Amcor Rigid Plastics managing the quality department and working in package research and development.  Carol has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Queens University and a Master of Science degree from McMaster University. Carol is also a Lifetime Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) from the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP).