Equifruit president receives Canadian women entrepreneur award

Equifruit President Jennie Coleman has been honored with the RBC Momentum Award. The award ceremony, a celebration of Canada's most accomplished women entrepreneurs, recognized Coleman's leadership and her role in driving Equifruit's success, according to a news release.

The RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards has highlighted the achievements of women driving economic growth and social change for over three decades. In 2023, Coleman was selected from 11,000 women entrepreneurs who were nominated, the release said.

Coleman's recognition is a testament to her ability to lead through expanded management, empowered employees, and demonstrated excellence, resulting in a business that has stayed true to its mission of “global fairtrade banana domination” since day one, the Montreal-based company said in a release.

Coleman’s acceptance speech was imbued with trademark Equifruit humor.

“Last year, I was a finalist for a different award — which fortunately, I didn’t win. Fortunate, because on my way to the event, I rose from my seat in the metro and my dress split right across my #bananabadass. But since then, I’ve had time to reflect on this as a metaphor for entrepreneurship: that often, from the front, we’re all smiles and competence, while behind the scenes, 'ça pète de partout' (everything is chaos). Here’s to carrying on, despite the chaos — to building amazing women-led businesses,” she said. 

In addition to the RBC Momentum Award, Coleman was also recognized last week with the Ontario Produce Marketing Association's Women's Produce Network Award, celebrating her contributions to the voice of women in the still heavily male-dominated produce industry, the release said.

Earlier this year, Coleman was named among the winners of the 2023 Globe and Mail Changemakers Award. In October, The Globe and Mail named Equifruit one of Canada's Top Growing Companies, citing its more than 200% three-year growth. 

“As one of the few female business owners in produce, Jennie has emerged as a champion for women in the industry,” said Equifruit Sales and Marketing Director Kim Chackal. 

“With an impressive collection of women's awards under her belt, we've introduced a dedicated 'Lady Boss' category on our website.”

Equifruit says it remains dedicated to its fairtrade mission and creating a sustainable impact that will fundamentally change the industry's relationship with banana growers.

Related: Equifruit’s Jennie Coleman named a 2023 Globe and Mail Changemaker