A night to remember with speaker Jana Sobey, inspires a first time WFIM Gala attendee to write

We received this article below which was written by a first time attendee of WFIM's Holiday Gala held last month on Nov. 24th. She is not on LinkedIn. I didn't ask for the article, however she wanted very much to share her experience from the evening.

On behalf of the WFIM Board, we are deeply touched and grateful by such a positive response that continues long after the event has occurred. Thank you!

All the best to everyone for the Holidays and New Year! See you in 2023!

"The Holiday Gala organized by WFIM on November 24, 2022 at the Millennium Gardens Banquet Hall in Brampton was a fantastic charity event.?Over 200 people attended! The venue was lovely and festive. The tasty hors d’?uvres before the sit down meal encouraged mingling and socializing. The beef ribs were tender and delicious.?There was great excitement when each raffle item was won.??

I really enjoyed listening to the keynote speaker Jana Sobey, senior Vice President Fresh Merchandising at Sobey’s.?I learned so much about the history and core values of Sobey. The company has commitments to its customers by selling quality products. They are committed?to their employees for a safe, work friendly environment.?They care about their community by providing meals and food programs to ensure food security.?I like how Sobey supports local products and local entrepreneurs. I learned that Sobey owns other banners like Freshco where I am a regular satisfied customer.?The success of this Canadian family owned big grocery chain over 4 generations speaks to their core values and their commitment. Jana Sobey was an inspiring speaker.?Her knowledge, professionalism and warm caring personality came through as she spoke.

At this event I learned a lot about WFIM and that it is a great support group for women in the food industry and management.?I am most impressed with the values of WFIM for networking, socializing, leadership development and mentoring. It’s all about helping and empowering women.?The upcoming mentorship cohort program will be very beneficial for experienced business women to help young women starting out and moving along in their careers. WFIM’s fundraising to raise money for charitable organizations such as La Tablee des Chefs and to support scholarships for students in food sciences is commendable. I was very fortunate to sit at the same table with the two scholarship recipients.?As the two newly graduated young ladies sat and talked excitedly together, they were already networking and establishing friendship even though they had just met for the first time.?I found out that two other women at my table started their own successful businesses.

I also had the privilege of sitting beside Anna Tang, a founding WFIM member almost 30 years ago with only 25 members and WFIM's Chair Barbara Onyskow, who was introduced to WFIM by Anna.?Now the membership is many times over and growing.?I asked Anna if she was pleased to see such a big membership now and WFIM is able to attract prominent speakers and provide important programs.?She totally agreed with me about the success and longevity of WFIM.?I conclude that WFIM is a great organization for?women to be a member and for peer support.

I know personally and professionally the impact of such organizations for women.?This was my first Gala for WFIM which surpassed my expectations so I had to write this article and share my experience.

I was amazed to see the many generous donations of raffle prizes from the sponsors and community. The generosity and continued support attests to the trust and respect these companies and corporations have for WFIM, its goals and fundraising endeavours.?

Congratulations and kudos to all the women in WFIM who worked so hard to make this Holiday Gala fun and successful!?I am certain that everyone at the party enjoyed it as much I did.

Written and submitted by M.Wong"

Jana Sobey Sobeys Jim Slomka Grocery Business Magazine Mary Dalimonte Barbara Onyskow Rolie Srivastava La Tablée des Chefs Burnbrae Farms Margaret Hudson Club Coffee Solange Ackrill Robert Rathke Azelis Eva Suen Barentz Jill Baxter Brenntag | Food & Nutrition Lori O'Boyle 嘉吉 Lesley Srivastava Dempsey Food Belinda Elysée-Collen Flavorcan International Inc. Brad Gorassi Lisa Jackson Caterina V. FlavorSum Giraffe Foods Inc. Ellen Powell, CFS Kirsten Benneter IMCD Group Shannon Brayton Ingredion Incorporated Catherine Cudmore Quadra Ingredients Marybeth Arsenault ProBenefits Consulting Inc. Tina Parise Kelly Teeter Elaine Beauchemin Debra Tomotsugu Limor Gendler Kelly Buckingham Debbie MacDonald Ellen Gravi Praveena T. Azita Ziaei Jenny Tian Mariana Macovei Sheri Evans Stacey Sousa Anna Tang , Kelly St. Onge Rose Browne Katie Jones Surria Fadel Alicia (Coyne) Bailey Clara Cheah Vijay Dhanraj , Gertex Solutions , Maria Legare-Taylor Taylor McNerney Griffith Foods Keith H Loiselle greenre? Brand Luc Grenon Felicia Sia Michelle Marshall AMAL SOLIMAN, Ph.D Kim Pines CFX - The Chocolate Factory Experience Villa Di Manno Bakery Sweet Creations Inc. Judith Kirkness Anna Tang Zhansaya Ingkarbek Niagara College Shimona P. George Brown College Bruce Singer CPA, CA Tamara Al Dip Gigi Gill?? Jennifer Dalimonte Olivia S. Mary Brown Bahar Abbasi Amy Proulx