John Graham Email & Phone Number

Prairie Region

I am excited to leverage my two decades of retail public relations and government affairs experience to advance, promote and protect the business priorities of retailers across the country through effective advocacy, communication and education. RCC is a Canadian not-for-profit association representing more than 45,000 stores of all retail formats, including independent merchants, regional and national mass and specialty chains, and online merchants. It strives to be the voice of the retail industry.

Manitoba, Canada

On behalf of RCC and the Manitoba retail sector, I am pleased to serve on the board of Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba (MMSM), an industry-funded, not-for-profit organization that operates a province-wide recycling program for packaging and printed paper, The purpose of MMSM is to promote the reduction, reuse and recycling of designated packaging and printed paper in the province of Manitoba - providing up to 80% of the net cost of recycling the designated materials normally managed through the municipal "blue box" programs.

Alberta, Canada

Alberta Recycling Management Authority (known simply as Alberta Recycling) is a designated authority of the Province of Alberta and responsible for managing the province's Tire, Electronics, Paint and Used Oil Recycling Programs. I am honoured to have been appointed by the Alberta's Minister of Environment and Parks as the "Business at Large" Director, representing the voice of Alberta businesses, including the province's 250,000 retailers.In 2018 an amazing 6.03 million tires, 2.2 million litres of paint and 602,000 TVs and computer products were recycled through Alberta Recycling supported programs.

Western Canada

FOOD SOLUTIONS GROUPHelping Clients Reach Their Potential Food Solutions Group is a Western Canadian based advisory firm that brings together a team that has extensive national retail and food manufacturing experience, and offers an insiders perspective as former senior experts in their areas of specialty.

Manitoba, Canada

More than 63,000 people in Manitoba use Harvest Manitoba each month, including 26,000 children. Proud to have served on the board in various capacities, and worked with this organization closely for most of my career.

Manitoba, Canada

Established in 1871, the St-Boniface Hospital is the oldest hospital in Western Canada and is well known as a leader, an innovator and a pioneer.As Past Chair of the Foundation, responsible for supporting the strategic efforts that have elevated the brand of the Hospital and diversified the revenue sources available to support world-class research and transformational patient care. Very proud that during my term as leader, revenues grow over 50% to $15 million and fund balances nearly doubled to $40 million.

Vancouver, Canada Area

As one of two board representatives for Canada's grocery industry, responsible for overseeing the governance of British Columbia’s industry funded beverage container deposit network that manages over a 1.1 billion used beverage containers and $110 million in deposits annually.One of Encorp’s key assets is the network of 173 Return-It™ Depots and several mobile collectors across BC that recovers and recycles approximately 80% of the beverage containers sold in the province.

Winnipeg, Canada Area

As director of Safeway’s award winning community investment, media, and government relations strategies, proud to have helped advance the company’s reputation and business interests. Responsible for leading major business initiatives, working closely with senior management and division executives of both Safeway and Sobeys on the company’s highest priority initiatives.As a brand builder, developed and directed Safeway’s community brand strategy, including overseeing a diverse portfolio of community investment programs and partnerships that featured complex sponsorship negotiations, building of advertising campaigns, and the production of major events. Was able to effectively leverage a 10:1 ratio on the annual budget to deliver millions towards business objectives. Proud to have created and supported community marketing programs that generated over $300 million in public support for charities aligned with Safeway’s areas of strategic priority.Directly involved in the announcement of Sobeys Inc.’s $5.8 billion purchase of Safeway, and the subsequent public relations and communication requirements related to the competition bureau’s approval, the rationalization of the retail network, divestiture of manufacturing facilities, as well as the integration of business and people processes.Oversaw the company’s government relations interests through direct engagement and industry coalitions, as well as acting as Safeway’s senior media and customer spokesperson.Protected Safeway’s massive pharmacy business from imminent regulatory threat by developing and overseeing a public campaign that featured media relations, websites, social media tactics, advertising, government relations and consumer engagement of over 70,000 patients. Generated significant sales growth for the company's 185 stores, through the creation of a food shipping business, as well as Safeway’s Buy Manitoba, Buy Alberta and Buy BC Foods partnerships.