Meet the People Behind SF4C
Our Governing Council
Garry Fehr | Associate VP, Research & Graduate Studies, University of the Fraser Valley
Dr. Garry Fehr is Associate Vice-President of Research, Engagement, and Graduate Studies at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), where he has been a faculty member in the Department of Geography and the Environment since 2007. He previously served as Director of UFV’s Agriculture Centre of Excellence and has over 20 years of experience in the construction and natural resource sectors, including running his own business. Dr. Fehr holds a BA from Thompson Rivers University and a PhD in Geography from the University of Guelph.
His research examines rural development, globalization, and governance, focusing on the sustainability of rural livelihoods and natural environments. Dr. Fehr’s work has taken him across India, East Africa, the Caribbean, and British Columbia, where he has led numerous community development and capacity-building projects. A longtime advocate for experiential learning, he connects students, governments, and industry partners to create opportunities for research and innovation while supporting UFV’s mission to engage communities and advance applied scholarship.
Arvind Gupta | University of Toronto (past CEO/Scientific Director MITACS)
Arvind Gupta is Professor of Computer Science at the University of Toronto. He has served as President and Vice-Chancellor of UBC, and as the CEO and Scientific Director of Mitacs Inc. He is also a founder of Palette Skills Inc. He has published extensively on theoretical computer science, computational genomics and national innovation strategies. Arvind has a record of accomplishment for initiatives that improve Canada’s productivity and competitiveness by successfully enhancing workforce skills through industry-academic partnerships. In the past, Dr. Gupta has served on the Federal Government’s blue-ribbon innovation panel (Jenkins panel), the national Science, Technology, and Innovation Council (STIC), and on BC’s Food Security Task Force. Arvind was instrumental in creating the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS) and the Banff International Research Station (BIRS). He is a Senior Fellow of the Brookfield Institute and of Massey College. He serves on the Boards of the India-Canada Research Centre of Excellence (ICIMPACTS), BIRS, and SimTrec. Past service includes serving on the Boards of the Fields Institute, the Canadian Statistical Sciences Institute, Great Northern Way Trust, Canadian Mining Innovation Council, Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute, PIMS, Mitacs, the Grand-NCE (International Scientific Advisory Council), and the campaign cabinet for United Way.
Jeff Larsen | Executive Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Dalhousie University
Jeff is Executive Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Dalhousie University and Site Lead for the Creative Destruction Lab – Atlantic. He brings extensive experience in law, investment, and innovation, having co-founded several energy companies including Seaforth Energy, Watts Wind, and Katalyst Wind. His career spans leadership roles in the public and private sectors, including Vice-President and General Counsel at Clarke Inc., Chief Compliance Officer at CIBC Asset Management, and Executive Director roles with the Province of Nova Scotia, where he led initiatives in innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
An accomplished author and educator, Jeff has co-authored reports on innovation and growth with Dr. Peter Nicholson and co-edited Corporate Governance and Securities Regulation in the 21st Century. He has taught at Saint Mary’s University, Osgoode Hall Law School, and the University of Malawi. Jeff holds a BA from McMaster University, a JD from the University of Toronto, an LLM from Osgoode Hall Law School, and an MBA from Imperial College, University of London.
Dana McCauley | CEO, Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)
Dana McCauley is an internationally recognized food innovation leader whose strategic vision and entrepreneurial expertise have driven wide-ranging advancements within Canada’s food sector. Throughout her career, Dana has successfully launched many food products and programs in collaboration with domestic and international food companies and entrepreneurs. She has long had her finger on the pulse of food innovation as a successful food writer and editor, a television food trends commentator, and a senior executive in the food manufacturing sector.
Dana was the founding Executive Director of Food Starter, a Toronto-based food business incubator that earned the Ontario Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence. As Director of New Venture Creation at the University of Guelph, she empowered agri-food innovators to transform inventions into economic growth opportunities that enhance Canada’s international reputation.
Dana has been recognized by WXN as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women in the Trailblazers and Trendsetters category and was named the 2024 Food Industry CEO of the Year Award by the Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology (CIFST)—testaments to her ongoing leadership and impact in the food industry.
Kim McConnell | Founder and Former CEO, AdFarm
Kim McConnell is a champion for Canada’s agriculture industry and a trailblazer in agricultural marketing. As a founder and
former CEO of AdFarm, one of North America’s largest agricultural marketing communications firms, he has been a
major force in shaping the industry.
McConnell’s contributions have earned him numerous national accolades, such as the ‘Agri-Marketer of the Year’, the ‘Mentor of the Year’ award from the
Canadian Youth Business Foundation, and Calgary’s ‘Inspired Business Leader’. His remarkable achievements include his induction into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2012 and his appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2017.
His unwavering commitment to Canadian agriculture and its potential has been evident throughout his career. McConnell has been instrumental in launching major industry ventures, including strategic and policy development, promoting sustainability, and initiatives aimed at enhancing public trust in food and farming. He serves as a director and special advisor to numerous companies, government bodies, and industry leaders across North America. McConnell is also a fervent advocate for youth, entrepreneurs, and rising executives, inspiring them with his passion and dedication.
Renée Michaud | Directrice Générale, Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels (INAF), Laval
Working in the leadership of INAF since its creation in 1999, Renée Michaud has made significant contributions to the establishment and growth of the Institute. As a leader, she has been able to implement several services supporting research, training, and knowledge transfer in the fields of biofood, nutrition, and health.
Tamara Rebanks | Director and past Chair, Weston Family Foundation
Tamara Rebanks is a Corporate Director and has chaired the boards of many charitable organizations in Canada and the UK. For over twenty years, she was Vice President of Corporate Affairs at George Weston Limited, Canada’s largest private employer.
Active in community work, Tamara is a Governor of Massey and Roy Thomson Halls, served on the Advisory Board of University of British Columbia and is a director and past chair of the Weston Family Foundation. She also chairs The Reta Lila Howard Foundation in London, UK. She also volunteers with the Loran Scholars Foundation.
She is married and has three university-aged children.
Rene Van Acker | GC Chair, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Guelph
Dr. Rene Van Acker is President of the University of Guelph, bringing decades of experience as a scholar, administrator, and advocate for agricultural innovation and education. A respected leader, he previously served as Dean of the Ontario Agricultural College and Vice-President (Research and Innovation), guiding transformative initiatives that strengthened research excellence, academic growth, and global partnerships.
A co-founder of the Arrell Food Institute and the Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming, Dr. Van Acker has helped secure more than $100 million in funding for research and teaching, established 27 chairs and professorships, and led the creation of Canada’s first Bachelor of Indigenous Environmental Science and Practice program. A University of Guelph alumnus, he holds BSc and MSc degrees from U of G and a PhD from the University of Reading (UK), and has authored over 160 peer-reviewed publications while continuing to teach and mentor future leaders in agriculture and food.
Kevin Wallington | CEO North Star Agriculture & President, Territorial Agrifood Association
Kevin Wallington, a seasoned professional, has a deep connection to the Northwest Territories. Over 12 years, he has significantly contributed to the local food industry and community development. Serving as CEO of North Star Agriculture (NWT), Director of Marketing for NWT Egg Producers, and Chairperson of the Territorial Agri-food Association, Kevin’s dedication to sustainable agriculture drives positive impacts within the NWT’s food industry.
Kallie Wood | CEO National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF)
Kallie Wood is President and CEO of the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF) and a proud member of Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation on Treaty Four Territory in Saskatchewan. With over 35 years of leadership experience, she has held roles in organizational change, reconciliation, and education, including serving as Senior Indigenous Advisor for the Government of Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Agriculture. She holds a Master of Leadership and Management Studies degree and serves on several national boards, advancing Indigenous engagement and relationship-building across sectors.
A recognized advocate and transformational change leader, Kallie was named one of the 22 most empowered and influential women internationally in 2023. She is a sought-after keynote speaker and advisor who works to strengthen sustainable agriculture and food opportunities for First Nation, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Guided by Indigenous knowledge, values, and connection to Mother Earth, she continues to inspire others to build partnerships, foster reconciliation, and create a more equitable and sustainable future for generations to come.
National Executive Committee
Angela Bedard-Haughn | Dean and Professor College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Bedard-Haughn was born and raised on a mixed farm in the central parkland region of Saskatchewan, Canada. She received her BSc and MSc from the University of Saskatchewan (USask), a PhD in Soil Science from University of California at Davis, and in 2004, returned to USask as a postdoctoral fellow. In 2006, Dr. Bedard-Haughn joined the Department of Soil Science in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources (AgBio) at USask as a faculty member. Over the course of her academic career, she has served as a professor, Graduate Chair, Department Head and Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies), taking up the position of Dean in summer 2020, and renewing for a second term in 2025.
As a teacher-scholar, Dr. Bedard-Haughn’s research program focuses on wetland soils and predictive soil mapping; activities have been largely supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Research Fund, Environment Canada and several industry groups. She remains active in experiential training, mentoring graduate students and teaching field courses on soil and landscape classification, at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Sylvain Charlebois | Professor, Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab, Dalhousie University
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is Professor of Food Distribution and Policy and Senior Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, where he also served as Dean of the Faculty of Management. Before joining Dalhousie, he co-founded the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph. Known nationally as “The Food Professor,” he is one of the world’s most cited experts in food supply chain management, food value chains, and traceability.
Charlebois leads the annual Canadian Food Price Report and co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, one of Canada’s top management podcasts. He has authored seven books and over 750 scholarly and professional publications, with his research featured in outlets such as The Economist, New York Times, BBC, and The Globe and Mail. A trusted advisor to governments and industry, he serves on the advisory boards of the Global Food Traceability Centre and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, helping to shape food and agricultural policy in Canada and around the world.
Ronan Corcuff | Coordonnateur – Service de soutien à l’innovation, Laval Universite
Ronan Corcuff is Coordinator of the Innovation Support Service at Laval University’s Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF). With a master’s degree in Food Science and Technology from Université Laval and nearly 25 years of experience in food innovation, he has collaborated on over 125 industry projects across the bio-food sector.
At INAF, Ronan leads initiatives that connect companies with the expertise of more than 90 scientists studying the links between food and health. He helped develop a co-creation approach that integrates consumer insight to better align innovation with market needs, strengthen Quebec’s food sector, and accelerate the creation of sustainable, health-focused products. He also represents the French-speaking and eastern node of the SF4C network and engages with start-ups and projects that advance sustainable development and the resilience of Canada’s food systems.
Janet Dean | Executive Director, Territorial Agrifood Association
Janet has been in the NWT for more than 30 years and brings a background in entrepreneurship and market development as well as experience in food retailing, food processing and food marketing in the NWT. She is the operational lead in bringing our projects and initiatives to life and leads our amazing team of staff and contractors. Janet also offers Notary Services for members through our Yellowknife office and is the appointed chair of the Agricultural Products Marketing Council . Janet is the current chair of Food Secure Canada.
Janet can be reached at ed@nwtagrifood.ca
Rene Dery | (Delegate) Director of Research and Innovation, University of Alberta
Born and raised in Edmonton, René has spent over 30 years working at the University of Alberta and in Alberta`s private sector in various research and research administrative roles. In 2022, René joined the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences at the University of Alberta as their Director of Research and Innovation. Through his work in this role, he has developed a keen interest in the agri-food sector, particularly in the areas of food security and sustainability.
Evan Fraser | Director, Arrell Food Institute; Professor, University of Guelph
Dr. Evan Fraser is Director of the Arrell Food Institute and a full Professor of Geography. An award-winning author and one of Canada’s most cited experts on food, sustainability, and climate change, he has published five books, over 150 academic papers, and opinion pieces in outlets including CNN and The Guardian. He advises communities, corporations, the Federal Government of Canada, and the United Nations on food systems and sustainability, and is a sought-after speaker and mentor to agri-food technology entrepreneurs.
Fraser serves as inaugural co-chair of the Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council and sits on the UN High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition. He is vice-chair of the Maple Leaf Center for Food Security, a founder of the Canadian Alliance for Net Zero Agrifood (CANZA), and has held leadership roles including Canada Research Chair, Fellow of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, and advisor to Genome Quebec and Proteins Industries Canada. He is also a member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars and a fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Lenore Newman | Director, Food and Agriculture Institute, University Fraser Valley
Dr. Lenore Newman is Director of the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley, specializing in agricultural innovation and policy. She holds a Research Chair in Food and Agriculture Innovation and is a past Canada Research Chair in Food Security and the Environment. A professor in the Department of Planning, Geography, and Environmental Studies, she is also an emeritus member of the Royal Society of Canada’s New College.
Newman mentors in the Creative Destruction Labs-Rockies agricultural stream and collaborates with industry on alternative proteins and controlled environment agriculture. She has published numerous academic articles and book chapters, as well as opinion pieces in The Globe and Mail, Vancouver Sun, Hill Times, CNN, and others. Her books include Speaking in Cod Tongues, Lost Feast (silver Forward INDIES award, Canadian Science Writers Award), and Dinner on Mars. She holds a BSc in Physics from the University of British Columbia and a PhD in Environmental Studies from York University.
Stefania Pizzirani | (Delegate) Assistant Professor in the School of Land Use and Environmental Change, University of the Fraser Valley
Dr. Amy Proulx is a faculty research lead at Niagara College’s Food and Beverage Innovation Centre (FBIC) and Program Coordinator for the Culinary Innovation and Food Technology program. She holds a PhD in Food Science and Human Nutrition from Iowa State University and has extensive experience in food research, innovation, and education, including developing non-alcoholic lagers and botanical beverages. Amy has also served as a visiting research scientist with the USDA and a research fellow with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
In addition to her academic and professional roles, Amy is Director of Individual Freedom and Free Markets at the John Templeton Foundation, where she promotes understanding of entrepreneurship, competition, and personal responsibility. Her work in agri-food leadership, education, and research demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing knowledge, developing skills, and fostering innovation in the food sector.
Amy Proulx | Faculty Research Lead, Culinary Innovation and Food Technology
Dr. Amy Proulx is Professor and Academic Program Coordinator of Culinary Innovation and Food Technology at Niagara College Canada and has been seconded as the college’s Global Research and Innovation Systems Leader. Her academic specialization is in innovation and change management practices for food safety and food manufacturing systems. She is the founder of the NSERC funded Technology Access Centre for Food and Beverage Innovation at Niagara College, which supports small business capacity building for innovation.
Proulx’s current research focuses on curriculum development and competency-based education and training application for agriculture and food skills development for the climate change transformation. She has past projects in Vietnam, Colombia, Jamaica, Cambodia and Peru. She has served the Canadian skills development sector with national leadership with Food Processing Skills Canada and the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology. She is a senior mentor with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization World Food Forum and a graduate of UNESCO’s Technical Education Leadership School. Outside of work, Amy’s family runs a small agroforestry farming operation in rural Niagara.
Martin Scanlon | Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba
Dr. Martin Scanlon is Professor in the Department of Food & Human Nutritional Sciences and Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural & Food Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Prior to his appointment as Dean in 2019, Dr. Scanlon was Associate Dean (Research) for the Faculty, and previously Acting Chair of the Department of Food Science. Dr. Scanlon has also worked at the Flour Milling & Baking Research Association in England and the Canadian Grain Commission in Winnipeg, and has had sabbatical placements at Prairie Garden Purees, Imperial College (London) and Pillsbury Technical Centre (Minneapolis).
Dr. Scanlon is currently President of the Conseil des Doyens – Agriculture, Alimentation & Médecine Vétérinaire in Canada. As well as serving on panels for granting agencies and international review teams, Dr. Scanlon has worked with a number of community and corporate partners on food preservation or product quality improvements. He holds BSc(Hons) and PhD degrees from the University of Leeds (England).
Rickey Yada | Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta
In 2014, Professor Rickey Yada was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, B.C. Prior to UBC, Dr. Yada was at the University of Guelph where he held numerous leadership roles, including Chair, Department of Food Science, Assistant Vice President Research, Canada Research Chair in Food Protein Structure, Scientific Director of the Advanced Foods and Materials Network (Networks of Centres of Excellence), and Founding Member of the Food Institute. He is, currently, the North American Editor of Trends in Food Science and Technology as well as serving on the editorial board of several journals.
Dr. Yada is the author of over 230 refereed journal publications as well as numerous book chapters and books. His areas of research includes: the structure – function relationships of enzymes (aspartic proteases) and carbohydrate biochemistry as related to nutrition and food quality. Dr. Yada serves in a leadership capacity to several research and industry organizations, some of which include Board of Bioenterprise Inc.; Advisory Committee Member – Arrell Food Institute; Member of the Scientific Advisory Panels – Riddet Institute (New Zealand) and AgResearch (New Zealand). He is also a Past President and Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology and the International Academy of the International Union of Food Science and Technology, and is also a fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists. Dr. Yada has an honorary DSc from the University of Guelph and was the 2019 Harraways 1867 Visiting Professor, University of Otago, New Zealand.
Tom Yates | (Delegate) Associate Dean, Academic College of Agriculture and Bioresources
Tom Yates is the Associate Dean Academic in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources at the University of Saskatchewan, with an appointment as Associate Professor in the Department of Soil Science. Dr. Yates conducts research into Canadian soil science course offerings, and experiential learning methodology with particular attention to assessment and the teaching of field-based courses. His teaching focus is on soil description and classification, fields skills, and undergraduate research projects. He is also a registered Professional Agrologist in the Province of Saskatchewan. Tom was born and raised in southern Saskatchewan and prior to joining the College of Agriculture and Bioresources worked as an exploration geologist in Northern Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the NWT, as a geological technician in Alberta, and as an agronomist in Southern Saskatchewan.
Emerging Leaders Advisory Council
The SF4C Next Generation / Emerging Leaders Advisory Council brings together high school and post-secondary students, adult learners, and emerging youth leaders from across Canada to provide meaningful input into SF4C’s programming and priorities.
Courtney Burk | Jasper, Alberta
Courtney Burk is a Wildlife Biologist studying caribou ecology and habitat use in Alberta’s Rocky Mountain foothills. She has been passionate about food security and improving access to affordable, healthy food since helping establish a community garden at the University of New Brunswick. Her local, national, and international experience in sustainability and community development informs her systems-focused approach to community resilience.
Mandy Cormier | Nak’azdli Whut’en Territory, Fort St. James, British Columbia
Mandy Cormier was born and raised in Northern British Columbia and currently lives in Fort St. James on Nak’azdli Whut’en territory. She serves as Director of Community Services and Advisor of Health and Social Services for First Nation communities in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories, where she supports initiatives focused on food sustainability, food security, and access to traditional foods.
Drawing on both lived and professional experience, Mandy has spent more than a decade working with northern communities to advance culturally grounded approaches to food access and community wellness, including supporting hunting and fish camps, foraging initiatives, and community gardens.
Aaron Eugenio | Calgary, Alberta
Aaron Eugenio is a Calgary-based food systems leader working across nonprofit and for-profit sectors to advance urban agriculture and food security innovation in Canada. His work focuses on climate-resilient food production systems, including rooftop farming, hydroponics, and the activation of underutilized urban spaces for local food production. Drawing on experience in food rescue initiatives and a background in environmental policy and international development, he works at the intersection of food systems innovation, economic value creation, and food as a human right.
Ty Halverson | Invermere, British Columbia
Ty Halverson is a third-generation farmer from British Columbia’s Southern Interior, where he lives and works on his family farm. With a certificate in Environmental Studies, he is passionate about environmental stewardship and apply holistic farming practices that prioritize soil health, native biodiversity, and ecological gardening.
Matt Henderson | Prince George, British Columbia
Matt Henderson is a Geography student at the University of Northern British Columbia, studying Public Administration and Community Development with a specialization in Planning. He is the Co-Creator and External Relations Coordinator of the UNBC Food Research Hub and serves on the BC Food and Agriculture Research Roundtable.
Matt is passionate about strengthening rural food systems by connecting policy, innovation, and community needs. His work focuses on regional food system development, agricultural supply chains, and supporting resilient, sustainable food systems across Canada.
Savitri Kohli | Toronto, Ontario
Savi Kohli is currently a Grade 12 student with a strong interest in math, business, and community involvement. What interests Savi most about food systems and sustainability is how connected they are to people’s everyday lives and the future of our communities. She is excited to bring a youth perspective to the council, along with a willingness to learn, collaborate, and share new ideas.
Renée Kosikowski | Montreal, Quebec
Renée Kosikowski is passionate about building healthier, more connected communities and finding practical ways to make sustainability feel accessible in everyday life. Based in Montreal, Quebec, Renée studied sustainability and politics, with a focus on environmental policy, Indigenous relations, and the role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in government decision-making. She is excited to contribute a younger perspective to conversations around food systems, sustainability, and community impact through the SF4C Emerging Leaders / Next Generation Advisory Council.
Quoc Long Tran | Vancouver, British Columbia
Tshego Matshoga | Winnipeg, Manitoba
Tshego Matshoga is an Agribusiness student at the University of Manitoba based in Winnipeg, MB, with a passion for where food systems, innovation, and culture intersect. She works with IDEA START supporting agri-food entrepreneurs, has represented South Africa as a youth delegate in Germany, and brought youth perspectives to the Digital Safety federal roundtable with Members of Parliament. Having lived across three continents, she joins this council excited to contribute a global, next-generation lens to how we build food systems that work for everyone.
Nick McLeod | Langley, British Columbia
Nick McLeod is an educator with a BBA from Simon Fraser University, a Permaculture Design Certificate from Zaytuna College, and an in-progress BEd from Vancouver Island University. He has worked with numerous non-profits in the local food and regenerative agriculture field on the West Coast—from the operations level to coordinating and facilitating education programs. He is excited to share his varied life experiences towards cultivating a more sustainable and equitable future for our country together.
Arwa Osman | Ottawa, Ontario
Arwa Osman is a CPA Candidate with a master’s degree in Globalization and International Development and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance. She is passionate about building culturally authentic, environmentally responsible food businesses and supporting the next generation of diverse entrepreneurs. Osman is committed to advancing sustainable agriculture in Canada’s Capital Region.
Aswi Sherchan | Toronto, Ontario
Aswi Sherchan is a high school student with a passion for healthy cooking, nature, and sustainability. She is particularly interested in food equity and believes everyone should have access to healthy, culturally appropriate, and sustainable food choices. She is excited to contribute a youth perspective while exploring solutions that strengthen food systems and reduce food insecurity.
Natalie Weder | Halifax, Nova Scotia
Based in Mi’kma’ki, Natalie Weder is pursuing a master’s degree focused on sustainable food systems at Dalhousie University, where she explores the role of public procurement in food system transitions. Her interest in food justice and food sovereignty informs both her research and volunteer work with organizations such as the Food Secure Canada Youth Caucus. She brings an interdisciplinary perspective shaped by experience in microbiology, biotechnology, and food systems research.
