2018 Recipients

Mary Dalimonte
Senior Vice President, Merchandising & Commercial Programs(retired), Sobeys
After a 40-year career in the grocery industry, Mary Dalimonte, Senior VP of Merchandising and Commercial Programs, announced her retirement from Sobeys earlier this year. Mary began her career in the grocery industry at store level, eventually progressing through increasingly senior roles at Loblaw and Sobeys where she created some of the most innovative store concepts in North America, including the ground-breaking Urban Fresh format. In their announcement, Sobeys celebrated Dalimonte’s outstanding career saying, “Mary Dalimonte has shown she is an innovator, creator, influencer and mentor. She has dedicated her career to mentoring and nurturing her peers, and celebrating their success. Her leadership, guidance, and support for the women in our industry will continue to echo through those influenced by her inspiring spirit.”
An award-winning and active member of the grocery community, Mary has been awarded and recognized for her many accomplishments including the ‘2017 Star Women Award’ from Canadian Grocer, the ‘Top Women in Grocery’ award for North America in 2014, and was the first female and grocery retail executive to win the ‘Food Service Excellence Award’ from the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Ontario. Mary serves as a Board Director for the Italian Chamber of Commerce, Board Advisor to Grocery Business, Board Advisor to Inspired Organization for MBA future leaders, Academy Mentor to Women in Food Industry Management, and Mentor Leader to the Network of Executive Women.
Recognized as the ‘Go-To’ trusted industry executive, Mary is known as a change agent and the quintessential foodie. She is recognized for her strategic and tactical leadership in the grocery and food industry. Her broad business expertise spans Merchandising, Multi Banner Operations, Private Label, Innovation Development and Process Management, Governance and New Store Concept Development and Design. Her passion for food has been the driving force of her career, whether it has been identifying new trends or championing innovation.
Mary graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1979. Later she would receive her Strategic Management Certificate from the Schulich School of Business. She just celebrated her 38th wedding anniversary to Pat Dalimonte and they have two daughters: Jennifer and Jacqueline.
Senior Vice President, Merchandising & Commercial Programs(retired), Sobeys
After a 40-year career in the grocery industry, Mary Dalimonte, Senior VP of Merchandising and Commercial Programs, announced her retirement from Sobeys earlier this year. Mary began her career in the grocery industry at store level, eventually progressing through increasingly senior roles at Loblaw and Sobeys where she created some of the most innovative store concepts in North America, including the ground-breaking Urban Fresh format. In their announcement, Sobeys celebrated Dalimonte’s outstanding career saying, “Mary Dalimonte has shown she is an innovator, creator, influencer and mentor. She has dedicated her career to mentoring and nurturing her peers, and celebrating their success. Her leadership, guidance, and support for the women in our industry will continue to echo through those influenced by her inspiring spirit.”
An award-winning and active member of the grocery community, Mary has been awarded and recognized for her many accomplishments including the ‘2017 Star Women Award’ from Canadian Grocer, the ‘Top Women in Grocery’ award for North America in 2014, and was the first female and grocery retail executive to win the ‘Food Service Excellence Award’ from the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Ontario. Mary serves as a Board Director for the Italian Chamber of Commerce, Board Advisor to Grocery Business, Board Advisor to Inspired Organization for MBA future leaders, Academy Mentor to Women in Food Industry Management, and Mentor Leader to the Network of Executive Women.
Recognized as the ‘Go-To’ trusted industry executive, Mary is known as a change agent and the quintessential foodie. She is recognized for her strategic and tactical leadership in the grocery and food industry. Her broad business expertise spans Merchandising, Multi Banner Operations, Private Label, Innovation Development and Process Management, Governance and New Store Concept Development and Design. Her passion for food has been the driving force of her career, whether it has been identifying new trends or championing innovation.
Mary graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1979. Later she would receive her Strategic Management Certificate from the Schulich School of Business. She just celebrated her 38th wedding anniversary to Pat Dalimonte and they have two daughters: Jennifer and Jacqueline.