Syed Rizvi is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Healthy Planet. In this role, he guides the vision and strategic direction for the company’s operations. He serves on the advisory board of the company and is valued by his colleagues for his business acumen. He has launched a number of significant transformative strategic business initiative while working in numerous leadership areas of the company, including sales strategies, operations, marketing, and e-commerce.

Syed began his career at Healthy Planet almost a decade ago and has been at the forefront of the company’s growth from 4 to 30 stores. He has been instrumental in the rebranding of the company and its adoption of an omni channel approach to retailing.

His influence has been instrumental in driving an exceptional in-store, curbside and home delivery service, that is focused on building long-term relationships with customers. He is a leader with exceptional standards, and extraordinary work ethic. He is always at the ready, to work with his team to accomplish the impossible.

Syed’s ability to envision successful market trends and capitalize on it is what sets him apart from his peers. His constant collaboration with over 200 vendors and distributors have had an indelible impact on their success.

Syed is a long time champion of Healthy Planet’s customers, its associates and the company’s culture, he believes that every individual has something to offer and he is always willing to learn and improve in this ever-evolving industry.

Healthy Planet

Imran’s superpower is his loyalty and patience for growing brands, working with vendors big and small until their success at Healthy Planet is inevitable. His keen eye for gaps in the market and unfound gems in consumer products has proven over and over again to be an invaluable instinct. Imran has been with Healthy Planet for over 14 years, starting at their first store stocking shelves. Now, as the Director of Purchasing he understands more than anyone the power of hard work and loyalty. Each project is a personal endeavor for Imran, as Healthy Planet is his family and his vendors become his friends.

The Vitamin Shop

Bonnie has been in the health industry for over 45 years.  She began at a small health food store called “The Samadhi Shop” in White Rock, B.C. and in 1981, Bonnie moved to Victoria and worked at “Self Heal Herbal Centre”, where she managed the store for seven years. In 1991, Bonnie started at The Vitamin Shop, and it was there that she seriously immersed herself in herbal and other studies, while also taking full advantage of the many educational seminars offered by various suppliers. As Floor Manager, Bonnie takes pride in staying up to date with new products and passing the information along to staff and customers. She always makes her customers feel welcome and listens carefully to all of their needs.

Congratulations to Lisa Jones and The Stone Store Natural Foods!

La Moisson-Supermarché Santé

Thank you for this nomination and please note that this recognition is greatly appreciated. Buyer work is a daily challenge. Several qualities are needed to do an adequate job. Honestey, thoroughness, organization, management style and the ability to negotiate. Christine works to perfect herself every single day! She may seem demanding in some of her questions however, her concern is to do well. She desires to offer her customers the best product and services that they require with her thoroughness.  As the market offers a multitude of products, similar in many cases, Christine always keeps the needs of the company and the customers her priority.  In addition, since the profitability component is an integral part of this buyer's position, rigor is required. Thank you for this great recognition of her work and thank you to the whole Harvest team for your support.

Ashley’s nominator says her devotion to this industry is rare, and her entire life has been about empowering people to lead healthy lives. Even at her young age Ashley has almost 15 years’ experience in the health food industry, all at Vita Health Fresh Market.

This multitude of experience along with her CNPA designation give Ashley a broad knowledge and expertise in this industry. She participates in continuous learning and supports her staff in doing the same. She is motivated by growing her team members and seeing them evolve within the store and company, as well as developing a strong culture within her store.

Ashley works extremely hard to develop long-term relationships with her customers, staff and vendors in order to make the Vita experience the best experience for them all.

She is proud, passionate and professional in all she does and truly deserving recipient of this award.

Lisa Ramsay, Nature's Fare Markets

"I came to work in this industry later in my career. After a lifetime of loving all things natural health, I finally decided to sell what I love. One of the best parts of this job is learning new and exciting things every single day. Working with like-minded people who are just as passionate about sharing what we learn is so empowering. The personal connection with our customers is another part that I love. Being able listen to their stories and helping them through their health challenges is a gift. I’m proud to work for a company like Nature's Fare, and I love their commitment to being the best for all the right reasons." — Lisa

Harmony Whole Foods Market

Lifestyle Naturals

Coopérative La Manne

Nature's Emporium

Nature’s Fare Markets

Fiddleheads Health

Vita Health Fresh Markets

Sol Epicerie Santé

 National Nutrition

Choices Market

Market Organics

Lifestyle Markets!

La Moisson, Supermarché Santé

Avril Supermarché Santé

Pacific Rim Nutrition (The Vitamin Shop)

Nature’s Emporium