Ratana Stephens

Ratana Stephens founded Nature’s Path Foods with her husband Arran in 1985. Together they grew Nature’s Path into North America’s largest independent certified organic breakfast and snack food company, while remaining firmly committed to their shared mission of leaving the earth better than they found it.   

A dedicated student, Ratana studied psychology and Sanskrit at Agra University in India, where she also obtained an MA in English literature. She went on to become a college lecturer, before meeting her husband Arran and moving to Vancouver.  

Since its inception, Nature’s Path has operated on the triple-bottom line: social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and financial viability, in that order. After stepping aside from the day to day operations as CEO of Nature’s Path in June of 2023, Ratana has turned her considerable skills to philanthropy, as well as spending more time with her four children and seven grandchildren. Since 2008, Ratana and Arran personally, and additionally through Nature’s Path, have donated more than $40 million to various causes and community service efforts.  

Together with her husband, Ratana has been honoured with the 2021 Order of British Columbia, inducted into the Business Laureates of British Columbia Hall of Fame (2020) and received an honorary Doctor of Education (DEd) from the University of Victoria. As a role model for women in business, Ratana’s contribution to the successful growth of Nature’s Path has been recognized by the business community through numerous awards including a YWCA Women of Distinction Award for entrepreneurship and innovation, an Influential Women in Business Award by Business in Vancouver and well as being named one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network.