Management Team

  • Kingsley Ward, Executive Chairman of TRUBAR INC

    With over 40 years of finance experience Mr. Ward has been involved in various private and public companies throughout his career.

  • Erica Groussman CEO, TRUBAR

    It all begins with an idea. Inspired by her mom’s love of healthy treats Erica founded TRUBAR with a dream to continue her mom’s mission of bringing clean nutritious and delicious snacks into the busy everyday lives of the people she loves.

  • Laura Freimane CFO, TRUBAR INC

    Ms. Freimane is an experienced CPA with a strong background in financial reporting, auditing, and compliance. Previous to SBBC Ms. Freimane held the position of Controller at VRG Capital since 2012.

  • Clair Ughetto SVP. OPERATIONS, TRUBAR

    Results-driven supply chain leader with extensive end-to-end experience in delivering strategic impact. Clair brings over 15 years of supply chain and operations experience to the TRUBAR team.

  • Kate Nichols - VP of Sales

    Kate has significant experience in scaling CPG products

    Previously the Director of National Accounts at Red Bull, where she led sales strategy across major retail channels

  • Luc Francillon - VP Finance

    Luc brings world-class financial strategy and has experience leading CPG brands through retail growth and expansion

    Previously the CFO of Mars Retail Group, leading the financial strategy that secured the investment to double Mars’ retail footprint globally

  • Natasha Port - VP of Marketing

    A senior marketing & advertising executive with 15+ years of experience driving the development and execution of branding, communications, media, and marketing growth strategies.

Board of Directors

  • J.R Kingsley Ward

    CEO & Chairman of the Board of Directors

    Kingsley has 30+ years of experience in private equity investments. He's Chairman of VRGII and a Managing Partner at VRG Capital, and serves as Chairman of Clarus Securities Inc. He's involved in various private and public companies and has been active in YPO since 1999. Kingsley supports healthcare-related charities and serves as a Director and former Co-Chair of Capitalize for Kids (C4K), a top investor conference for children's mental health.

  • Richard Kellam

    Director & Strategic Advisor

    Presently, Richard Kellam is President, Chief Executive Officer & Director at Data Communications Management Corp. He joined the board of Simply Better Brands in May of 2023. In the past he held the positions such as Chief Executive Officer for The Advantage Group International, Inc., Chief Global Customer Officer at Mars, Inc., Vice President Marketing at Molson Breweries . and Senior Vice President-Global Sales & Marketing at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

  • Michael Galloro

    Director

    Michael is principal at ALOE Finance, a Toronto based boutique transaction firm focused on the small/mid cap public markets space. He has quarterbacked numerous go public and M&A transactions across various industries operating globally and acts a director for public companies. Michael is a CPA.

  • Harry Brock Bundy

    Brock has over 30 years of financial sector experience, starting with the Royal Bank of Canada. He currently serves as a Managing Partner at VRG Capital and sits on the investment committee of a multi-billion dollar private debt fund. He holds degrees in Economics from the University of Ottawa and the Université de Paris-Sorbonne and is a CPA. Brock has received prestigious awards, including the Governor General of Canada Award in 2004 and induction into the University of Ottawa Football Hall of Fame in 2019. He holds directorships at the Toronto Hunt and is a Life Member of the Tokyo American Club.

  • Erica Groussman

    Erica Groussman is an emerging figure in the wellness industry, serving as the co-founder and CEO of TRUBAR, a company focused on producing natural and clean nutrition bars with flavors reminiscent of classic desserts. Through her leadership, TRUBAR not only offers indulgent treats but also aims to empower women and families to live healthier lifestyles.

    Previous to founding TRUBAR, Erica was the founder and CEO of Little skins, a company that provides natural patch and ointment treatments for children’s skin issues. Her motivation for founding both businesses stems from her dedication to her family and her commitment to total wellness.

  • St. John Walshe

    St. John is an investor and business advisor with a wealth of experience as CEO of some of the world’s leading advertising firms. St. John formerly served as CEO of BBDO in The Americas and was a member of Omnicom's European Board, overseeing many of BBDO's European agencies. He also founded Omnicom's global e-commerce practice, Molecular, and BBDO's first social platform agency, Dobbino. Earlier in his career, St. John managed Omnicom's relationship with Mars Inc. for nearly ten years, during which Mars grew to become one of Omnicom's largest and most creatively awarded global clients. Additionally, St. John is a United Nations UNDP Steering Committee Member of The Lions Share, a charity focused on wildlife rehabilitation.