RT | FOUNDATION™

Where do we even begin? Phil is the driving force behind the RT | Foundation and the spirit of everything we do at Rootree – which makes him a VIP judge for our 4th annual RT | Foundation Awards. We have a very difficult time narrowing the competition down with Phil on the judging panel because everyone is a winner.

Phil's charisma is so extraordinary that the dictionary even struggles to define him, so let's settle for D.I.R.T: Dynamic, Interesting, Remarkable, and Tenacious, just like the earthy environments he loves spending time in.

Phil began his career in health and nutrition, something that is an integral part of everything he does, woven into his lifestyle and values.

He leads Rootree with a sustainable-first mindset and his business philosophies are rooted in hospitality, curiosity, and a continuous pursuit of bettering oneself. Phil is a true growth advocate, he believes in keeping employees content and customers thriving, because, for him, that's the foundation of any successful venture.

We're fortunate to have Phil as a guiding light in this year’s RT | Foundation Awards.

Legend has it: he’s LinkedIn’s best-kept secret.

Meet Joe Shuker, Rootree’s Executive Vice President and first-time RT | Foundation judge.

Joe eats strategy for breakfast – in fact, it’s the only thing he eats in the morning.

Joe made his debut at Rootree Inc. in January 2023, but it feels like he’s always been a member of our team (if you haven’t heard his musical skills, you definitely want to do that.)

As a key member of the leadership team, Joe is the conductor of many of the day-to-day operations. His expertise extends to crafting the future roadmap for processes, operations, and management tasks. He knows what it takes to operate a successful business, which makes him a perfect judge for this year’s Awards.

But there's more to Joe than just his business acumen. He's not only a strategic wizard but also a musical maestro, coffee connoisseur, and a dedicated family man. His diverse talents and passions have made him the perfect addition to Rootree's executive ensemble.

So, whether he's fine-tuning business strategies or fine-tuning drumheads, Joe Shuker is a shining star in Rootree's executive lineup, and we’re so lucky to have him part of this year’s contest.

Our Director of Communications, the writer of everyone else’s biographies, and baker of delicious baked goods. We couldn’t ask her to write her own bio, so here it goes:

This lady did not just find her calling but lives it deeply daily.

She’s a classically trained German baker but is also a word wizard. Imagine if the fairy godmother from Cinderella was a baker, then mix it with the spirit of hospitality and service of Lumière's from Beauty and the Beast.

Now, let that sit and cure for some time and mould it into a wonderful person, haunted with a relentless smile, with a pen ready-in-hand to write out puns and inspirations.

Yes, we know, tough to envision.

Siana assisted in many roles from administration, customer service, and finance, and with various positions in creative and marketing before landing in her current role – our Comms Director!

She has an entrepreneurial spirit and is the co-founder of Bonne Amie Craft Bakery. An effective way to get hungry is to visit her Instagram page.

When she is not taking time off from the above-mentioned endeavours, she's got her camera in hand, taking and editing some of the most beautiful pictures... seemingly taken effortlessly.

Do all of these qualities make her a good judge for RT | Foundation? Nobody knows but we have no choice but to include her as it’s her team that is charged with putting it together.

Introducing… Pia Simran, the VP of Product and Business Development at Rootree, who's been a Rootree Rockstar since 2015!

Pia's journey at Rootree is a true rollercoaster of ambition and determination. Good thing she likes rollercoasters.

She began as a part of the family business, learning the ropes of daily operations. But Pia wasn't one to settle; she soared through various roles like a champ—general labour, sales whiz, account manager, co-packing star, and now, the VP of Product and Business Development #GirlBoss. Talk about a versatile career path!

Her story doesn’t stop there. She’s got true entrepreneurial spirit, which led her to attending the Beauce School of Entrepreneurship in Quebec, Canada - another reason she will make a fantastic judge for our RT | Foundation Awards.

Now, here's where Pia's personality shines like a blooming garden! She's not just about business; she's all about nature, gardening, music, and singing. With linguistic skills up her sleeve, Pia's the kind of inspiration that adds a magical, youthful touch to the industry.

Pia stands as a vibrant and dynamic force at Rootree, join us in welcoming her to the judge’s panel!

Meet Bailey Few, our Senior Graphic Designer!

She's not just a designer; she's the secret sauce behind many of our winners' fabulous new designs. When she's not crafting visual masterpieces, you'll find her striking yoga poses, meditating, or embarking on adventures around the globe (just ask Japan, they'll vouch for her recent visit) - as long as there are cats involved in one way or another.

When it comes to building brands, Bailey lives for it! She starts with a blank canvas and transforms it into a brand masterpiece. That's why we've enlisted her as one of our judges for the annual RT | Foundation Award!

Bailey’s designs toe the line between modern and creative youthful, she never fails to bring colourful visions to life! We’re so glad to have such a talented, vibrant person on our roster.

Introducing Kelsey, our Senior Graphic Designer!

With a wand-like stylus in one hand and a sketchbook in the other, Kelsey is a design wizard who can turn the mundane into pure magic. Kelsey is responsible for winning a prestigious PAC Award for Rootree's packaging design. She is a fantastic illustrator and knows how to make design dreams come true.

When she's not crafting visual wonders, you'll find her nose-deep in a captivating book (Harry Potter, for sure) or conquering mountain trails and long hikes.

Kelsey has a soft spot for cats (seemingly a prerequisite for the Rootree design team), she loves to hike and sew plush toasters.

We’re so honoured to have such a talented judge on the panel this year, who will have such an important piece in designing the winners’ new packaging!

Meet Soek, 6’2” of dedication, the man behind the scenes at Rootree's production facility. His mission? Ensuring that every pouch gets printed and converted to perfection.

Soek is Rootree’s VP of Packaging Operations who thrives on innovation and forward thinking. If there's anyone who knows how to steer the ship in the right direction, it's him.

Now, when Soek steps away from his bustling work routine (a rarity!), you'll find him in various intriguing pursuits. Whether it's quality time with his 3 kids, binge watching 80s Jackie Chan movies, or holding a handstand for an inhuman amount time, Soek is quite the character.

And when it comes to business, his vision is crystal clear. He's got a taste for Chinese food and an even keener eye for the potential of small businesses. To him, packaging is the vehicle to carry a company's message far and wide. He lives and breathes packaging (he literally breathes the air of our production facility for 80% of the day) making him the ideal judge for the RT Foundation Awards.

With Soek's profound understanding of packaging's impact on business success and his commitment to innovation, he's the ideal candidate to judge the RT Foundation Awards. His insights are sure to take the winners’ packaging to new heights.

Meet Dan, our superstar Director of Sales. We’re excited to welcome him to the 5th Annual RT | Foundation judge's panel.On the golf course he’s a pro, he loves to spend time with his family and enjoy delicious food, and he’ll be excited to hear about any of your hobbies.While Dan likes his cars and golf, he truly knows about all things packaging and how to help businesses thrive. He loves nothing more than watching the success of a business he’s had the pleasure of helping from day 1.He’s an essential part of Rootree, and will recommend you some of his favourite teas. He’s worked with small CPG start-ups for many years – and he can’t wait to work with yours next!

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to meet the extraordinary Aaron – a man of many titles and talents, including being a loving father and husband, and an aspiring weekend warrior in the world of amateur athletics.

But… he’s not just any Aaron; he's the President of CHFA, the wizard of wellness, and a seasoned executive with 18 years of experience navigating the natural, organic, and wellness industries.

Aaron’s resume reads like a bestseller – he's led health divisions at Canada’s largest grocery retailer, Loblaw Companies, co-founded Canada's 16th fastest-growing company, GreenSpace Brands (2018 Maclean’s Growth 500), and knows the secret for making brands pop on the grocery store shelves.

Aaron is on a mission to supercharge the health and well-being of Canadians by rallying people, products, and organizations in the health and wellness industry. And guess what… we are so honoured to have hit the jackpot because he's bringing all that good stuff to our judges' panel this year!

Introducing… Brenda Seto, the dynamic Board Director of Women in Food Industry Management (WFIM) and a fierce advocate for women in the food industry, who’s joining us as a judge for the RT Foundation Awards!With over two decades of industry experience, Brenda has excelled in brand and product management across diverse industries, earning Licensee of the Year awards from Disney North America and Mattel.Her entrepreneurial roots combine with experience in family-owned businesses and corporate giants like Mattel, Revlon, and Maple Leaf Consumer Products, where she lead brand marketing and product launches.Brenda is also a passionate foodie and a lover of all things good for people and planet. After organizing the first Virtual Sustainability Summit for WFIM, she’s ready to sprinkle her magic at the RT Foundation Awards. Join us in welcoming Brenda Seto, a fun-loving force of nature, as she helps celebrate the next generation of industry leaders.