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.

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 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.

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!

Allow us to introduce you to Brianna, a remarkable young entrepreneur who not only won the 2022 RT | Foundation Award but is also set to join us as one of this year's judges.

At the age of 23, Brianna embarked on her entrepreneurial journey, a passionate venture called Chien Gourmand—fuelled by her quest for top-quality dog food.

Brianna isn't only a girl boss, she's a university student, tackling a bachelor’s in business administration, a double major in finance and professional accounting. And, as if that weren't enough, she's currently pursuing a master's degree in e-commerce.

We couldn't be more thrilled to have Brianna on our judging panel this year. Who better to discern the remarkable potential in budding entrepreneurs than someone who's lived and breathed the journey herself? She knows firsthand the trials and triumphs of being new to business, and we're absolutely delighted to have her unique perspective on board.