Qualico Names 2022 Katherine Friesen Trailblazers

Qualico wrapped up its first Katherine Friesen’s Trailblazers campaign, which highlighted 11 inspiring female trailblazers who are making a difference in and leaving their mark on the company. The inspiration for this series is rooted in Qualico's commitment to corporate responsibility and its impact area of gender equality. It also honours the legacy of Katherine Friesen, one of the founders of Qualico and Rancho.

Trailblazers are people who can take a new or less-travelled path and by forging their way, the pathway behind them is easier for those who follow. There is an inherent sense of courage and conviction in trailblazers.

“I’m inspired by the undeniable talent and passion of employees at Qualico,” said Kevin Van, President & CEO, Qualico. “I’m proud to see trailblazers in all areas of our company and at different stages of their careers. Those identified as part of the debut series of Katherine Friesen’s Trailblazers are a sign of great things to come for our company, our industry and our communities.”

On International Women’s Day in 2021, it was announced by the Nellie McClung Foundation that Katherine Friesen had been named one of 150 women in Manitoba recognized during the province's 150th birthday celebrations for her innovative ideas, pioneering vision, and willingness to brave the unknown.

Each week in March, Qualico shared profiles internally on the company's intranet of trailblazers, all of whom have different skills and backgrounds. Here are the employees featured in this debut series.

We thank the employees and their leaders for helping share these stories.

2022 Katherine Friesen Trailblazers

A Committed Champion of Operational Excellence	An Unwavering Commitment to Learning and Improving	An Innovative Marketer Driving Brand Value	A Game Changer in Relationship Building
Engineering Award-Winning Service	Retail Superstar Building Success in Business and Workplace Culture	Breaking Down Silos with Proven Business Acumen	A Skilled Project Manager Pioneering Collaborative Community Development
Capitalizing on the Right Opportunities at the Right Time	Globe-Trotting Mentor Draws from Dynamic Work and Life Experiences	A Promising Self-Starter Who Takes Initiative and Runs With It