Helping unite our industry and fuel success through advocacy, connection, and support
The foodservice sector is grappling with nearly 100,000 job vacancies
Over the past few weeks, Canada has experienced a series of chaotic weather events that underscore the unpredictable nature of our climate. Regions across the country have been subjected to a wild mix of conditions, ranging from sudden snowstorms and unseasonably warm temperatures to powerful wind gusts that have interfered with daily life.
The champion that unites our industry and fuels success through Advocacy, Connection, and Support.
Vibrant and thriving restaurant and foodservice communities across Canada.
Corporate Values
We put our members first and are personally committed to the overall success and wellbeing of our association. We keep the promises that we make and take personal responsibility for our actions and results.
We promote equity and strive to reflect and be informed by the diversity of our industry, it’s owners, operators, employees and customers. We are a people-centric association that creates a sense of inclusion in all that we do to ensure that positive relationships emerge within our communities and amongst our employees and members of various backgrounds.
We understand that we are stronger together so we partner, consult, cooperate, support, and share to unite and serve our communities better. We consider the impact of our decisions on others and invite input and feedback to test our thinking.
We embrace new ideas by encouraging thoughtful analysis, creative thinking, and differing views as catalysts for growth. We are curious about our industry, our members, and ourselves and are always growing and learning for the betterment of the association and communities we serve.
We recognize the importance of personal behaviour in creating trust and we are consistent, forthcoming, transparent and honest in all of our communications, actions, and interactions.
We know that joy fuels success so we create opportunities for meaningful work and contributions, we focus on positive experiences, and we provide acknowledgment in recognition of our impact.
Leadership Team
Kelly Higginson
President & CEO
Roxana Sijakovski
Chief Financial Officer
Tracy Macgregor
Chief Operating Officer
Richard Alexander
Executive Vice President, Government Relations & Public Affairs
Chris Elliott
Chief Economist & Vice President, Research
Maximilien Roy
Vice President, Federal & Québec
Kris Barnier
Vice President, Central
Mark von Schellwitz
Vice President, Western Canada
Jordi Morgan
Vice President, Atlantic Canada
Jillian Rodak
Vice President, Sustainability
Wilkin Hsien
Director, Enterprise Technology & Data
Carol Pantaleo
Corporate Secretary, Restaurants Canada & Managing Director, Canadian Hospitality Foundation
Brenda Halkiw
Director, Strategic Business Development
Lerna Gurunluoglu
Director, National Events
Anna Pham
Director, Content & Programming
Board of Directors – Executive Committee
Jeremy Bonia
Chair of the Board The Merchant Tavern and Portage St. John’s, NL
Kelvin Lum
Treasurer & Chair Finance & Audit Committee White Spot Limited Vancouver, BC
Nicolas Filiatrault
Vice Chair & Chair Government Relations: Federal Benny & Co. Bois-des Filion, QC
Tina Chiu
Chair of HRCC, Mandarin Restaurant Franchise Corporation, Brampton, ON
Alan Howie
Chair, Governance & Nomination Committee Northland Properties Vancouver, BC
Kelly Higginson
President & CEO
Board of Directors – Board Members
Paul Bognar
Service Inspired Restaurants (SIR Corp) Burlington, ON
Jordan Holm
Boston Pizza International Richmond, BC
Jason Brading
MTY Franchising Inc. Richmond Hill, ON
Todd Barclay
President, Casual Brands & Government Relations, Recipe Unlimited Corporation, Vaughan, ON
Mo Jessa
Earls Restaurants Ltd. Vancouver, BC
Brad Kramble
Salisbury House of Canada Inc. Winnipeg, MB
Gene Cormier
Hub City Social Inc. / Restaurant Clos Inc. / Halo Donuts Inc. Moncton, NB
Cindy Simpson
Imago Restaurants Inc. Toronto, ON
Jeffrey Kroll
McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited Toronto, ON
Bruce Miller
Pilot Coffee Roasters Toronto, ON
Court Desautels
Neighbourhood Group of Companies Guelph, ON
Bill Pratt
Chef Inspired Group of Restaurants and Food Trucks Dartmouth, NS
Leslie Echino
Annabelle’s Kitchen Calgary, AB
Kent Scales
Scales Group of Companies Charlottetown, PE
Duncan Fulton
Restaurant Brands International Toronto, ON
Lacey Sellinger
Odla Restaurant and Market Saskatoon, SK
Brent Todd
A&W Food Services of Canada North Vancouver, BC
Matthew Senecal-Junkeer
Birds and the Beets Vancouver, BC
Hakan Uluer
The Bertossi Group Halifax, NS
