Alice Warner
Alice Warner worked her way up from deli clerk to store manager, and she is dedicated to giving others the opportunity to excel. Known for her strong team leadership, customer loyalty and commitment to her community, Alice was recently named a 2020 Star Women Awards recipient by Canadian Grocer. In 2020, she added the “National Value Champion” title to her long list of achievements! Passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion, Alice is a committed advocate of leadership opportunities for women in store operations. She has committed countless hours in helping establish Sobeys’ Women’s Inclusion Network in B.C. and takes an active role mentoring and developing women within store operations.
“When women succeed it gives them confidence and the opportunity to move ahead and to make our company grow and shine,” said Alice.
“I like to encourage both men and women to step into leadership roles regardless of what their status is in their personal life — that we can always figure out, but I like to see people succeed.”
Alice’s can-do attitude was learned at a young age when her newly widowed mother Esther, now 82, moved her five children from northern B.C. to Vancouver, returned to school, and then started a successful career.
“She led by example, teaching us that you can do whatever you want in your life,” said Alice.
“It’s important that we go after what makes our hearts happy and what we can excel in.”
Alice brings the same passion and commitment to her community every day and is known for her ability to develop instant connections, while frequently raising money and awareness for various charitable groups. Alice’s high level of execution on store standards, passion for her store, staff, and customers make her a true Value Champion.
Simon Rainville (2018)
As a manager, Simon knows how to make people feel unique, special, and valued. Now the recipient of four Value Champion awards, his sense of humour makes his leadership effective, and gives everyone on his team a boost of energy. “I am fortunate to be able to bring fun into the workplace, being a positive leader and managing things with humour and joy.” He jokes that he is “proud to have survived all this time, despite all the tricks he has played on his co-workers.” The good relations he has maintained with people over the years and across the various departments where he has worked are a source of pride. “My Sobeys is a big part of my life, it is a place where I feel at home. It is a family I want to grow with, and it’s where I want to finish my career.”
Simon Rainville
“I’m not empathetic,” Simon Rainville laughs. “I don’t know how we can spin this … People nominated me because I say what I think, so if I say I’m empathetic, it won’t work.” That is Simon in a nutshell — an honest, straight-shooting man of his word. An expert communicator, Simon excels at giving and taking constructive feedback and listening carefully to everyone’s opinions before making major decisions. He says that what he likes best about his work is the relationships with suppliers, retailer and colleagues. “As a team, we can all improve by helping each other,” said Simon. “I have a lot of things to learn from my colleagues, and I hope they can help me, and in that sense I am ready to help them.” “My Sobeys is a big company that celebrates teamwork in a family atmosphere,” said Simon. “We feel like a family because we have so many activities outside of work, someone is always organizing a barbecue or fun activity, it helps us grow together as a team.”
