Board of Directors Candidate Bios

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Marylou Wilkerson
5 years ago
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1 Corporate Trouw Nutrition Canada/Shur-Gain Charlotte O Neill I have worked in the agriculture industry since graduating with a Bachelors of Animal Science from the University of Guelph in 2007 obtaining my Masters of Animal Science degree in I have had the opportunity to work both in Canada and in the US in various agriculture companies and roles. My international experience has broadened my approach to agriculture advocacy for the work that we do. My most recent work experience has been in agriculture marketing for national animal feed and health companies. Previous Roles: Trouw Nutrition Canada/Shur-Gain Monogastric Product Manager, 2017 Present Elanco Canada Limited, Guelph, ON Brand Manager, JBS USA, Greeley, CO & Brooks, AB Ascend Leadership Trainee and Sr. Financial Analyst Fed Beef, Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd., Okotoks, AB Research Project Manager, N/A Pet Therapy Team for St. John s Ambulance in Guelph Visiting the Guelph General Hospital with my dog Layla to provide emotional therapy to hospital patients. Previously a member of the Norfolk Fair Sheep and Goat committee. My current role in marketing would allow me to bring up to date, creative, and enthusiastic ideas to the marketing & communications committee. I have experience in marketing direct end users, developing materials, and dissemination through multiple channels. I have previous experience in advocacy groups where we had to find our own funding and support our organization through donations and I think this would be an asset for the funding committee. I have previously worked as a financial analyst and so can utilize some of the skills from this position in the funding committee. As well, I am an asset for finding new donors and avenues of revenue for the organization. Lastly, I have technical experience that can be used as an asset for our resources and materials, as well I have access to several industry leaders through my company who could be relied upon for vetting and resource review if the committee required it.

2 Charlotte O Neill, the Monogastric Product Manager with Trouw Nutrition Canada/Shur-Gain has served one year on the AgScape board of directors. She is seeking to continue on the board in a corporate seat for the next 2 years with the support of her new company. Her current work experience in direct-to customer marketing is an asset to the AgScape organization as she is able to bring new and creative ideas to the board of directors to enhance the image and reach of AgScape. She is enthusiastic about educating students in agriculture and was a founding member of the The Farm Theory, an on-campus student agriculture advocacy group at Oklahoma State University. Her network of contacts, technical background, and enthusiasm for agriculture have made her a great fit on the board of directors and she is excited to continue to support this organization and the work it is doing in Ontario classrooms.

3 Community Ciabh McEvenue Revival Studio 20 years in the creative advertising industry, with the last 10 years in a principal leadership role, strategic brand marketing services across a broad range of sectors. Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Pro-bono strategic brand advisory services for a range of non-profit organizations including Canadian Stage and The Musical Stage Company as well three years on the Board of Design Hope Toronto. I believe I have the knowledge and experience to help advance the organization s visibility, effectiveness and resources through the application of my expertise in audience engagement and activation. Following 20 years working in the marketing communications industry in Toronto ( , freelance copywriter), Tamm + Kit ( , Creative and Managing Director), and Purpose-Built ( , Partner and Chief Creative Officer), in summer 2017, I launched Revival Studio, an agency focused on the Ontario agri-food industry. While my experience as brand strategist has spanned many sectors, my greatest passion lies in working with agriculture and agri-food organizations (Masterfeeds, Viterra, Maple Leaf Foods, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, and Ontario wineries), helping them evolve and grow in an environment of escalating competition and complexity. I believe the challenges facing agri-business today are of critical importance to consumers and am interested in joining AgScape Board of Directors to lend my efforts for an indefinite term to help the organization develop effective youth engagement programs that help prioritize and protect the integrity and value of Canadian agri-food.

4 Community Jennifer Kyle Beef Farmers of Ontario Senior Communications Specialist at the Beef Farmers of Ontario. Previous Roles: Communications Coordinator (Holstein Canada Magazine & Youth Coordinator (Ontario Holstein Branch) Brant County Ag Awareness Committee Paris Fair Ambassador Committee Rotarian member of e-club SOWNY Vice Chair Central Europe D-7090 Youth Exchange Committee & D-7090 Public Image Committee Vice-Chair Burford District Elementary School Council Director on the Canadian Agribusiness Education Fund (CABEF) Board of Directors With a background in public relations, communications and marketing, I would bring a wide variety of tactical communications skills, as well as a deep passion for ag awareness that would be of benefit to all AgScape committees.

5 I am a farm girl, born and raised on a dairy farm in southwestern Ontario. I am still lucky enough to be on a farm - my husband, two young children and I farm with his father and brother where we produce dairy, beef, lamb and cash crop. My day job is working as the Senior Communications Specialist for the Beef Farmers of Ontario. Through my job, I edit and produce "Ontario Beef" magazine, as well as focusing significant time on consumer engagement through "Make It Ontario Beef". I also have extensive experience on the dairy communications side having worked for Holstein Canada, Ontario Holstein Branch and Semex over the course of 10+ years. I am also a recent graduate of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program run by the Rural Ontario Institute. Through my work, and as a mom to two school-aged children, I see first-hand (on a very regular basis) the disconnect between consumers and their food. There is a major need to re-establish this connection, and I would LOVE to see the AgScape programming flourish and help to fill this gap. As a part of our local Ag Awareness Committee, we are fortunate to reach several hundred grade five students each year through our Bite of Brant program. But, reaching these students once is not enough. Ag education needs to happen at all levels in order to foster that true understanding. I would love to be part of AgScape to help ensure Agricultural education has a solid place in the classroom and beyond.

6 Corporate Farm Credit Canada Jennifer Peart 10 years at Farm Credit Canada as a Senior Relationship Manager in Simcoe, Ontario. Director on Haldimand Norfolk Holstein Club Director on Haldimand Milk Producer Committee Director on Norfolk Country Fair AALP 2017 graduate 3 years on AgScape board and current Treasurer Assist with financial management Assist with sponsorship dollars and industry connections Graduated from University of Guelph Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture Business 2006 Co-owner of Erieview Farms Ltd., a 40-cow dairy operation with my husband Charlie Anderson Passionate about ag education and reaching future consumers

7 Corporate Syngenta Canada Inc. Meaghan Ryersee More than 7 years experience working in agriculture, in various sales and marketing roles. Member of he Eastern Canada Farm Writers Association and Ag Women s Network. 1 st Vice President of ECFWA and Mentor in the Ag Women s Network mentorship program. Proven PR and marketing abilities as well as experience serving the AgScape board as a corporate director. Representing her employer Syngenta Canada, Meaghan is an experience public relations professional with an endless passion for agriculture and the promotion of agriculture education. She is the current First Vice President of the Eastern Canada Farm Writers Association, and a volunteer and active member of the Ag Women s Network. Originally from Wheatley Ontario, Meaghan s family owns and operates a grain farm on Pelee Island, Ontario. She now resides in Guelph, Ontario.

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