For Bianca Parsons, food has always meant more than what’s on the plate. Growing up in an immigrant household, food was culture, memory, and connection—a way of carrying home forward while building something new.  That understanding continues to shape her leadership today as Executive Director of the Alberta Food Processors Association (AFPA).

The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce recognized this leadership on January 26th when they awarded Bianca with the 2026 Economic Impact Award.  The Chamber cited her leadership during a period of unprecedented uncertainty for Alberta’s food and beverage processors.

Leadership in a Year of Uncertainty

Over the past year, shifting tariffs and evolving trade rules created instability across supply chains.  Ingredients, packaging, and equipment moved across borders under constantly changing conditions, leaving many processors facing unpredictable costs and difficult decisions.

For an industry where 90 percent of processors employ fewer than ten people, navigating that level of complexity alone was not realistic.

Under Bianca’s leadership, AFPA stepped in as a critical advocate and translator—breaking down complex policy changes, representing processors’ interests, and ensuring their voices were heard. The impact was tangible. In one case, an Edmonton-based company saved more than $7 million in just six months as a direct result of AFPA’s tariff advocacy.

Building Strength Through Collaboration

Bianca’s approach to leadership is rooted in collaboration. She has long believed that Alberta’s food sector is strongest when businesses work together, even in challenging times. That belief has proven true across the province, where processors regularly support one another—sharing knowledge, resources, and opportunities to help ensure no one is left behind.

Many of the businesses AFPA serves are immigrant-led, women-led, and founded by entrepreneurs navigating English as a second language. Bianca understands the risk and courage required to take that leap. Her leadership creates space for both legacy businesses and first-time founders to grow with confidence.

A Win for the Industry

This award recognizes more than individual leadership. It reflects the strength of Alberta’s food and beverage sector and the importance of advocacy, clarity, and care during times of change.

Bianca chose to build her career—and her family—in Edmonton because of its collaborative spirit and problem-solving culture. That same spirit defines her work at AFPA: practical, precise, and grounded in a deep commitment to people.

AFPA is proud to celebrate Bianca Parsons and this well-earned recognition. Her leadership continues to lift our members, strengthen the industry, and shape a more resilient future for Alberta’s food and beverage sector.