In the food and beverage sector, cybersecurity is no longer a back-office concern; it’s a core business enabler. From supply chain resilience to operational continuity, leaders in this space are balancing the need for robust security with the realities of fast-moving production, distribution, and retail environments. This list highlights Canadian food and beverage organizations and the security leaders helping them protect people, products, and profits.
These professionals may not all carry the official “CISO” title, and some have moved into new roles or broader security leadership positions. Still, they’re influential voices in the industry, driving security transformation, shaping risk strategy, and building programs that support growth while minimizing cyber risk. Here are some of the most compelling CISOs and security leaders to watch in Canada’s food and beverage ecosystem.
Sonny Sarai — Director of Information Security, Pattison Food Group
With 15+ years of cybersecurity experience, Sonny brings a risk-based approach to security strategy, vulnerability management, compliance, incident response, identity, and cloud security. His leadership emphasizes security culture and aligning cyber initiatives to business goals, a critical perspective for food and beverage companies where downtime directly impacts operations and customer trust.
Mathieu Chartier — Director, Cybersecurity Transformation, Agropur
A seasoned IT and cybersecurity leader with 25 years of experience, Mathieu leads cybersecurity transformation initiatives at Agropur. His expertise spans large enterprise environments, cloud and legacy systems, and business continuity, all vital areas for a major food co-operative navigating digital modernization while protecting supply chain integrity.
Philip Veilleux — Cybersecurity Leader (Various Roles)
Philip is known for transforming security culture through better IT hygiene and business-enabling security practices. With over 30 years in IT and security, he focuses on vulnerability management, IAM, risk assessment, and bridging the gap between technical teams and executives. He’s a strong example of the kind of security leadership that prevents incidents before they happen.
Kevin Perkins — Chief Information Security Officer, McCain Foods Limited
Kevin has spent more than three decades at McCain, rising through IT leadership into the CISO role. He oversees global IT and security strategy, supporting rapid growth and ensuring secure architecture across a massive international food business. His long tenure and deep institutional knowledge make him a standout leader in food industry security.
Justin White — Director, Cybersecurity, Cooke Inc.
As the leader of Cooke’s global cybersecurity program, Justin oversees security frameworks, controls, and network architecture across a global organization. His role reflects the growing trend of food companies building strong centralized cybersecurity functions to support international operations and supply chain visibility.
John Gift — SVP & Global Chief Information Security Officer, PepsiCo
John is a globally recognized cybersecurity leader and a major voice in the industry, currently serving as PepsiCo’s Global CISO. His experience spans enterprise security, AI, regulatory compliance, and risk management, and his influence extends well beyond food and beverage, shaping how large global organizations approach cyber strategy.
Tom Bresnahan — Global BISO & Cybersecurity Risk, Compliance, and Resilience Management, PepsiCo
Tom built and leads PepsiCo’s global Business Information Security Office (BISO), driving security assurance, compliance, and resilience across multiple regions. While not a traditional CISO role, his work is foundational to PepsiCo’s cybersecurity operations and illustrates how security leadership increasingly sits within business-aligned structures.
Harold Wax — Director, PepsiCo Global Security
Harold leads physical security, crisis management, and business continuity for PepsiCo Canada. While his focus is broader than cyber, his work is deeply connected to operational resilience, and in food and beverage, physical and cyber security are increasingly intertwined. Harold’s role shows how security leadership must protect both digital and physical supply chain risks.
Why These Leaders Matter
The Canadian food and beverage industry is a high-stakes environment where disruptions ripple quickly through supply chains, stores, and consumers. The leaders on this list are shaping how the sector stays resilient, not just by implementing tools, but by building security culture, governance, and strategic programs that keep businesses moving safely.