2025 She LEADS Panelist
Jacqueline Jacek
Founder, JACEK Chocolate Couture, New CP Mentor
Jacqueline Jacek likely has one of the best jobs in the world as a chocolate designer. The concept was created when she couldn’t decide whether to become a fashion designer or a chocolatier, so combined the two to create her dream job as a ‘Cocoanista’. She launched JACEK Chocolate Couture in 2009 from her basement in Sherwood Park, Alberta as a one-woman show. Fast forward 15 years, and JACEK has a talented team of thirty-five that are equally committed to spreading joy through fashionable chocolate made using the finest ingredients and sustainably sourced cacao. JACEK Chocolate has two retail stores (Sherwood Park & Crestwood in Edmonton), has two partner locations (Canmore & St.Albert) and over 200 wholesale partners across Canada. In addition to JACEK’s commitment to local organizations with their 1% giveback program, JACEK is also proud to support cacao farmers in Peru, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica through their bean-to-bar program which continues to be recognized globally in the International Chocolate Awards.
Jacqueline is passionate about Junior Achievement as she believes that entrepreneurship is critical for thriving communities. She is currently leading the Sherwood Park Company Program for 18 weeks, and very excited to witness the power that JA has to grow the leaders of the future.