Sanjiv Jagota is the President and Founder of Nature’s Source, a multi-store Ontario-based chain operating under two banners Nature’s Source and Nature’s Signature. With more than 25 years of experience in the natural health industry, Sanjiv has in-depth knowledge of the landscape not only in the retail space, but also in the practitioner space; online as well as at the vendor level.
With an educational background in microbiology and chemical technologist as well as biology and chemistry, Sanjiv has both technical and sales & marketing experience. He also developed a peer reviewed integrated healthcare practitioner journal to meet a need for evidence education for practitioners.
Sanjiv is completing his first term on CHFA’s Board and chairs the Government Relations Committee. He was a member of the steering committee for the Canadian College Naturopathic Medicine and has been a director for F.A.C.T., an organization that promotes integrative medicine. He also sits on the Board of Pink Attitude whose focus is to recognize women in the South Asian Community. As well Sanjiv has been mentoring individuals in business and students in achieving their goals.
Michael Bentley is President of SierraSil® Health Inc., a Canadian natural supplement with a proprietary, patented ingredient. Michael’s background includes work in personnel and safety, sales and marketing, and operations management. Michael served two three-year terms on the Board of the Council for Responsible Nutrition. He has also served on boards of numerous public and private companies (in BC and Alberta) and not-for-profits (including Family Services of Greater Vancouver, the UBC Foundation, the BC Sports Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Forces Liaison Council). He has also volunteered for various fundraisers and coached little league soccer.
Michael has been awarded CHFA’s John Holtmann Industry Leadership award and he has twice been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Health Influencers by Optimyz Magazine. He has a Masters of Management from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Arts from UBC. His passions include work, reading, sports and his family. Michael is married and lives in Vancouver.
Mathew Holtmann owns and operates the third-generation Vita Health Fresh Market retail stores in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Having introduced organic and natural grocery items in the Vita Health stores, Mathew began the transition from predominantly supplement-focused stores to the seven full-service fresh markets Vita Health operates today. Mathew is passionate about supporting and assisting local producers, charities and food banks and is an advocate for inclusive workplaces.
Mathew is passionate about supporting and assisting local producers, charities, food banks, and is an advocate for inclusive workplaces. He is the past Board Chair for SCE Lifeworks, an organization that supports people with developmental disabilities in the workplace, has been an active member of the Health First Network and is currently finishing his first term on the board of the CHFA.
Having spent his formative years working weekends, evenings, and summers in both the manufacturing facility and retail stores, Mathew began working full time at Vita Health in 2005, upon completion of his post-secondary education. He believes it is of vital importance to continue to stand up for Canadians’ right to have access to safe, effective NHPs in a fair and balanced market, always putting consumers health and safety needs first.
Mackie Vadacchino (she/her) has successfully pursued her career in senior management roles in both large “blue-chip” corporations as well as in entrepreneurial environments in several industries including banking, retailing and advertising before finding her true passion in Natural Health products.
After 15 years as CEO of Bioforce Canada /A. Vogel, Mackie moved to the role of Chair of the Board at the end of 2022, having successfully mentored a successor to continue the growth of A. Vogel in Canada. Mackie now sits on the Board of a number of companies as well as mentoring young women.
Mackie holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business. Her Corporate Governance knowledge comes from her being a member of numerous boards and organizations, including the Board of Groupe Robert, Cell Foods Inc. and CHFA. Previously on the Board of Governors of Concordia University, the Board of Directors of La Chambre de Commerce de Montreal, Board of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, and has been President of the Montreal Chapter of the International Women’s Forum.
Mackie has always enjoyed helping people achieve their goals and dreams; coaching and promoting many to become better managers and business leaders. Today she continues to formally and informally coach female business owners in our industry who are introducing innovative and healthy products. She is currently a mentor in the Women Getting on Board Program. Fluently trilingual and bicultural.
Mackie’s other interest is travelling and learning about new cultures.
Isabèle Chevalier is a committed and passionate entrepreneur/investor who has worked for 25 years in the fields of health, health foods, scientific research and retail. Founded in 1996, she built Bio-K+ International alongside her family, a company specializing in the research, manufacture and marketing of probiotics. Despite modest beginnings and a nascent microbiome industry still unknown to the general public, the company quickly gained ground and unquestionably became a flagship in Quebec. It was in 2011 that Isabèle was appointed CEO, as the pioneering organization in the probiotics market expanded and became the Canadian reference. Isabèle transformed Bio-K+ into an international company that became and has remained the #1 brand in Canada and #3 in the United States for more than 10 years in addition to exporting internationally. It was in November 2020 that the company was sold to a multinational to continue its global ascent, a sale being qualified as one of the most important in its industry in the country.
Actively involved in her community, Isabèle is also known to the general public for her role as a dragon on the popular program “Dans l’oeil du dragon” on Radio-Canada as well as in the program “Qui veut être mon Associé” a French show in France on M6.
She takes interest into promising entrepreneurial projects in which she invests and for which she offers her valuable advice.
Isabèle is also a fund investor, corporate director, speaker and coach/mentor. Actively involved in her community, Isabèle supports values associated with global health, environment and education. Proud mother of three boys, she is also a cycling and outdoor enthusiast who likes to get away from it all and enjoy life to the fullest.
Brenda Kirk began her career as a cashier at Overwaitea Foods in Nanaimo, B.C. in 1980. She quickly advanced through a variety of progressively senior leadership positions in retail operations, including the development, launch and store manager of the industry-leading automated supermarket concept, Smart Market™, in Vancouver, B.C. in the early 1990s. From there, Brenda added key strategic roles to her portfolio, including regional manager of Save-On-Foods, director of front-end operations and general manager of centre of store merchandising for Save-On-Foods, before joining the company’s senior leadership team as vice president of centre of store merchandising in 2015.
As part of Save-On-Foods’ team of vice presidents, Brenda has held a number of titles, including vice president of innovation and strategic initiatives (2018), senior vice president of health, wellness and our brands (2019), and effective October 1, 2020, her current title of senior vice president of merchandising, where she is an instrumental part of the senior leadership team of Save-On-Foods and the Pattison Food Group: Canada’s largest Western-based provider of food and health products. Over more than 42 years in the grocery industry, Brenda has honed her reputation as a dynamic, strategic and committed leader who’s focused on achieving results and doing what’s right for her team and customers.
A key contributor to the development of the company’s evolving innovation strategy and execution as well as the company’s overall strategic plan, Brenda was named Save-On-Foods’ 2014 Business Leader of the Year—the organization’s highest accolade. She is also the recipient of a 2015 Star Women in Grocery Award from Canadian Grocer Magazine and is a member of the merchandising committees for both United Grocers Inc. and the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. Brenda is also on the Board of Directors for GS1 Canada and an active member of the Food Executives Club of Vancouver.
As a founding member and now executive sponsor of Save-On-Foods’ Inspire Network, which is aimed at developing future leaders, Brenda is a strong advocate for embracing and promoting diversity in the workplace.
Brad Winsor (he/him) is a dedicated advocate of empathetic leadership, believing in fostering strong connections and understanding within teams to drive success. With experience leading large teams, he has honed his skills in effectively guiding and empowering others towards achieving collective goals.
Brad brings a wealth of expertise in navigating complex organizational structures from being a store manager for Wal-Mart and Real Canadian Superstore, a District Manager with Dollarama and a Regional Operations Manager with Nutters. This experience combined with his people centric approach earned him his current position as President with Nutters Everyday Naturals.
Brad’s passion lies in cultivating inclusive environments where every team member feels valued and supported, ultimately driving innovation and growth. The transition from big box retail to the health and wellness industry was a natural move for Brad as he continues his passion for lifelong learning, healthy living and active lifestyle.
A husband and proud father of two, Brad’s interests include hiking, hockey and Crossfit.
Adam Barnard (he/him) is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Nature’s Emporium, a growing chain of natural and organic health food supermarkets in Ontario. At Nature’s Emporium, he has spearheaded the digital and strategic transformation of the business. Adam has over 20 years of experience leveraging his skills in human resources and technology to deliver sustainable growth for organizations. Prior to joining Nature’s Emporium, Adam was the CFO for a regional grocer, and has previously held leadership roles at PwC Canada and Canadian Tire Corporation.
In addition to his professional experience. Adam has previously served as the treasurer for the Calgary Humane Society Board of Directors. He is also a longstanding supporter of the Enactus student organization – a commitment which has been recognized with the PwC National Volunteer of the Year award and the Enactus Alumnus of the Year award.
Adam is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CA/CPA) in Ontario. He holds an undergraduate degree in Business Management from Wilfrid Laurier University and a master’s degree (MBA) from Queen’s University.
Adam lives in Toronto, Ontario with his wife and two school aged children. He is a Cub leader for the 85th Old Mill Scouts, where he enjoys leading youth in outdoor activities. Adam is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle, and spends his spare time cycling, running, and cooking with his family.
Stacey Kravitz has served as President of UNFI Canada since August 2020. Previously, Stacey served as Senior Vice President of Sales for UNFI Canada. Prior to joining UNFI in 2015, she spent 20 years at Kraft Canada, then Kraft Heinz Company Canada, in a variety of sales roles, culminating in her leading Canada’s largest retailer Loblaw Companies LTD., as Customer Vice President. Stacey is a graduate of McGill University and the Queen’s University Ivey Executive Program where she holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and an Executive Education certification in Strategic Planning and Finance.
In 2019, she was elected to the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) Board of Directors for her first term, where she has served as HR Committee Chair and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board. In 2020, Stacey was elected to the Grocery Foundation Board of Directors, a notfor profit organization that supports student nutrition programs in hundreds of Canadian communities, feeding over one million children.
Stacey is an outdoor runner, avid reader and wine enthusiast supporting local vineyards in her hometown of Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON.