Karen Flavelle: Who Is Purdys Chocolate CEO?

Karen Flavelle is the CEO of Purdys Chocolatier, a Canadian conglomerate known for producing chocolates for over a century.

The company which began operations 115 years ago, now boasts of over 80 shops across Canada.

Flavelle had lived Japan for 16 months during her 20s and graduated from Queens University. She had inherited the company from her father, Charlies Flavelle, in 1997, and so far, Purdys Chocolatier has remained a family-owned Canadian business.

The history of Purdy’s Chocolates dates back to 1963, when Charles Flavelle and Eric Wilson bought the company and started off, expanding the business from 5 outlets in 1963, to 28 outlets in 1980.

Since Flavelle stepped in as Purdys’ CEO, the company has recorded tremendous expansions, and has opened no less than 38 outlets across BC, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario.

She has served on many boards including the Young Presidents Organization and the Retail Council of Canada.

Flavelle is a WXN Hall of Famer and is regarded as one of the most influential women in business.

In addition to being a nine-time winner of the AON Best Employer of the Year Award, Flavelle has received the EY’s Family Business Award of Excellence, the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, and many others.