In order to recognize the amazing women influencing Canada’s grocery business, Canadian Grocer established the Star Women in Grocery Awards in 2012. This year’s winners, who were nominated by their coworkers and chosen by Canadian Grocer’s editorial board, are women who exhibit leadership, achieve great outcomes, and are passionate about what they do.

The annual Star Women in Convenience Awards, presented by Canada Convenience Store News, are in their fifth year and honour outstanding women who make a difference and exhibit commitment, innovation, and leadership in the convenience industry. These women can be retailers, distributors, manufacturers, industry associations, or consultants.

Star Women Winners

Two winners of notable mention this year are CJR’s very own Category Manager, Natural Health, Jacinda Simpson, and Rabba Fine Foods Head of Marketing, Rima Rabba.

“I am so honoured to be recognized as a Star Woman in grocery,” Jacinda says. “CJR Wholesale is an innovative distributor and I feel immense pride to be part of the team. Collaboration is the key to our success and I’d like to extend a thank you to the wonderful team at CJR Wholesale & Dairy Central, as well as express my deep gratitude to my director, Frank, who allows me the trust and the freedom to create a vision, implement positive changes, and ultimately not only improve the business, but also the health of Canadians.”

About Jacinda Simpson

Jacinda’s background in personal training served as the foundation for her intense curiosity about the quality of the products that her clients were consuming. This developed into a personal goal to find, make, and use goods with natural ingredients. She tells Canadian Grocer that gardening, planting beautiful flowers and fresh vegetables is a passion of hers. Her first job in the CPG sector, working for a natural distributor, was made possible by this enthusiasm. 

Since then, her devotion for the role has grown. She works hard to build solid connections with her clients based on openness and integrity, created a natural food catalogue, and was awarded Excellence in Sales by the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) in 2018. “I love the ability to create a vision and framework for our natural business and see it through by implementing strategic plans with our vendors, retailers and internal stakeholders. Being part of this organization and the natural community is a true privilege, and I look forward to contributing to the bright future of natural grocery,” she tells Carolyn Cooper.

About Rima Rabba

Rima Rabba, took home not only one, but two Star awards this year, as the first woman in the industry to do so. Since being promoted to head of marketing in 2019, she is responsible for all promotional, advertising, and Rabba’s many charitable activities. She significantly increased Rabba’s audience reach, improved their programme tactics, implemented projects in which their vendor partners have shown a high level of engagement, and optimized both digital and conventional methods of promotion, which have led to significant sales increases. 

“This is a wonderful accomplishment,” said Jack Rabba, founder of Rabba Fine Foods. “We are so proud of Rima. On behalf of everyone at Rabba Fine Foods, our partners and suppliers, we all congratulate her on this remarkable achievement.” 

Rima is fervently committed to the Rabba Roots Community Program. Some of the most at-risk communities receive assistance from this program, frequently in collaboration with Rabba’s amazing vendors. She also works with neighbourhood institutions including The Good Shepherd Shelter, Trillium Health Partners, and The Mississauga Food Bank.

Corporate Responsibility for Canadian Communities

Rima believes, as a wife and mother, it is crucial that her family understands the importance of making a positive impact on the community, “I volunteer my time as a board member for a local organization, as well as being generally active in school fundraisers, park cleanups or tending to community gardens,” she explains to Canadian Grocer. 

When asked what is the best career advice she’s ever received, Rima says “Just take the step. We will never make progress if we remain in the same place. I urge women reading this today to find your balance, make your moves and keep in mind the glass ceiling cannot break without the brave, bold strides of women.”

Congratulations to Rima and Jacinda, on your many achievements up to this point, and for being appropriately recognized as the Rising Stars you are in the industry.

To read the full interview with Jacinda Simpson and Carolyn Cooper, click here
To read the full interview with Rima Rabba and Kristin Laird, click here.

To see the line up of 2022 Star Women in Grocery winners, click here. 

To see the line up of 2022 Star Women in Convenience winners, click here.