Zee champions business partnership, innovation, sustainable practices, and empowering women in sales.
Today, Canadians expect more from their food. They want it to be delicious and affordable, but also responsibly made, sustainable, and something they can feel good about sharing with their families. At Maple Leaf Foods, we believe that meeting those expectations is our responsibility – and our opportunity – as we live our Purpose of Raising the Good in Food.
Delivering on that promise takes passionate people who bring fresh thinking, strong partnerships, and a commitment to doing what’s right every day. One of those people is Zee MacKay, Director of Costco on the Sales team, who champions innovation, sustainability, and empowering women in sales — while helping us grow and strengthen our partnership with Costco Canada.
Every day, Zee works closely with both internal teams and our partners at Costco to ensure that we’re delivering exceptional products at a great value to their members. It's all about making sure that we’re providing affordable, delicious products so that people far and wide can Raise the Good in Food with their families, big and small.
Read on to learn more about Zee!
What brought you to Maple Leaf Foods and what has made you stay?
I first joined Maple Leaf Foods straight out of university when I joined the Leadership Track program. The opportunity to rotate through various roles in different areas of the business — Rendering, Chicken Hatchery, and Corporate Marketing — was exactly what I was looking for to help me discover where I fit in best.
After completing the program, I decided to explore opportunities at other companies. Those experiences were invaluable — they helped me realize what truly sets Maple Leaf Foods apart. What brought me back, and what keeps me here, is the company culture. There's an entrepreneurial spirit that runs deep, a clear set of values that guides decision-making, and a team of incredibly smart, driven people who inspire me every day.
What does Raising the Good in Food mean to you?
To me, Raising the Good in Food means setting a higher bar for what people should expect from their food. It’s about leading by example — through better animal care, superior food quality, sustainable practices, and meaningful support for our communities. It’s a commitment to doing what’s right, not just what’s expected.
How do you Raise the Good in Food in your everyday life – inside and outside of work?
At work, I focus on delivering value to Costco members by constantly looking for ways to offer high-quality food at affordable prices. That means challenging ourselves to innovate — whether it’s reducing packaging, improving nutrition and taste, using Raised Without Antibiotics (RWA) meat, or finding more efficient production methods.
At home, it means shopping at Costco for my groceries!
How do you inspire others to Raise the Good in Food?
I’m forever an evangelist for our Greenfield Natural Meat Co.® branded products — food made with sustainability in mind and clean, simple ingredients. I’m always hunting to convert more shoppers to this brand.
I also recognize that many Canadians are facing real challenges just accessing the basics. At home, we make a point of discussing food insecurity with our kids over dinner and encourage them to donate their own money when they can. It’s our way of helping them understand the value of food and the importance of supporting others.
Are there any noteworthy projects related to our Purpose that you’re currently working on?
I recently joined the Women in Sales committee, and I’m excited to help shape its direction. One of the important conversations we’re having is about how often women say ‘sorry’ in the workplace — and how it can unintentionally hold us back. By bringing awareness to this, we’re working to build confidence and create space for women to show up authentically and with impact.
What’s your favourite product from our family of brands? How do you prepare it?
Hands down, the Greenfield frozen sausage patties — they combine two of my favourite things: Greenfield and Costco. They’ve become a weekend breakfast staple at our cottage. We keep it simple: pan-fried until golden, served with bacon and eggs.
