Mary Dalimonte retired Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Commercial Programs for Sobeys Inc., a leading Canadian grocery retailer and food distributor.
Ms. Dalimonte joined Sobeys in 2008 as the General Manager of Sobeys Urban Fresh, responsible for stewarding the banner’s operations, merchandising, and marketing teams, while building key relationships with store operators and suppliers.
Ms. Dalimonte was subsequently appointed to Vice President of Private Label and, in 2012, promoted to Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Commercial Programs for Sobeys Inc. In her most recent capacity, she led the strategic plans and drove the development and execution of customer-focused, market-leading innovations and new store concept designs for Sobeys’ Full-Service banners across Canada.
Ms. Dalimonte earned her Bachelor of Arts from York University. Prior to joining Sobeys Inc., she held a variety of progressively senior retail management roles at Loblaw Supermarkets Ltd., including Senior Director of Store Operations, General Manager of Retail Operations, and Vice-President of Store Operations.
With over 45 years of achievement in the retail grocery industry and 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 retail has been the driving force of her career, whether it has been identifying new trends or championing innovation. Her skills are highly requested and is currently engaged as a consultant to the CPG Industry.
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.
Of particular note, awarded in 2018 the ‘Golden Pencil Award’, highest honor awarded by the Food Industry Association of Canada recognizing excellence through career dedication and making a significant and worthwhile contribution to the Canadian Food Industry and most recently inducted into the Grocery Business Hall of Fame in 2023.
Most recently Mary was Inducted into the Grocery Business ‘Hall of Fame’ in June 2023.
Mary serves as a Board Director and Chair of the HRCC committee for Giant Tiger Stores Ltd., Board of 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.
Mary also served as board director of Sol Cuisine Plant Based Foods, and was active through-out the acquisition by Plant Plus Foods and its parent company ,Marfrig.
Ms. Dalimonte is passionate about giving back to community and serves o as co-chair of Corporate Cabinet Committee for the Fred Victor Charity. As the cornerstone of her leadership, she continues to mentor and coach mentoring and dedicates her time to being a keynote speaker for MBA students across various university faculties as member of the Advisory Board for INSPIRE North, a non-profit organization that motivates and empowers Canadian youth by organizing educational events with executives who share their experiences and advice.