March 8, 2024 – Tessa Ritter has been elected the new chair of the board of directors for the Canola Council of Canada (CCC). Ritter is the Stakeholder Relations Manager at Viterra. She succeeds Jennifer Marchand who finished her two-year term as chair but remains on the board as a director.
“On behalf of the board, I’d like to thank Jennifer Marchand for her service as our board chair, and our outgoing board members David Kelner and Ryan McCann for their contributions to our industry,” says Ritter. “We also warmly welcome two new directors as we continue to partner across the value chain to identify and pursue opportunities, address challenges and drive the industry forward.”
New to the CCC board of directors for 2024/25 are:
- Chris Anderson, DL Seeds, nominated by life science companies
- Tyler Groeneveld, Corteva Agriscience, nominated by life science companies
At the Canola Council of Canada’s (CCC) Annual General Meeting yesterday, president & CEO Chris Davison presented the 2023 annual report: Growing Opportunity. Davison reflected on the year’s achievements as well as new opportunities that will help keep Canadian canola thriving.
“This was a year to both build on past achievements while also nurturing new opportunities for the Canadian canola industry,” said Davison. “While there are always challenges to navigate, the strengths and opportunities of the Canadian canola industry are well recognized both domestically and internationally. Strong collaboration, research and a drive to innovate are among the things that will help us realize those opportunities moving forward.”
The report highlights opportunities that took root in 2023 in all pillars of the CCC’s strategic plan, including:
- Growing diversification into biofuels markets
- Renewing investment in research, and market access and development
- Establishing resources in the Indo-Pacific region
- Revitalizing connections with China and other key markets
- Learning more about canola agronomy in the brown soil zone
- Facilitating innovation in plant breeding and crop protection products
For more information, read the full 2023 Annual Report.
2024/25 CANOLA COUNCIL OF CANADA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
To provide a strong voice for all segments of the industry, CCC directors are nominated by organizations representing growers, processors and exporters, as well as life science companies.
Nominated by canola grower associations:
- Charles Fossay, Manitoba Canola Growers
- Justin Nanninga, Alberta Canola
- Dean Roberts, Canadian Canola Growers Association
- Ed Schafer, SaskCanola
Nominated by the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association:
- Ryan Law, Bunge
- Tracy Lussier, Louis Dreyfus Company
- Jeff Pleskach, Cargill Ltd.
- Kevin Wright, Archer Daniels Midland Company
Nominated by the Western Grain Elevator Association:
- Jarrett Beatty, Parrish & Heimbecker
- Jennifer Marchand, Cargill Ltd.
- Tessa Ritter, Viterra
- Trevor Veenendaal, G3 Canada Ltd.
Nominated by life science companies:
- Chris Anderson, DL Seeds
- Tyler Groeneveld, Corteva Agriscience
- Garth Hodges, BASF
The Canola Council of Canada is a full value chain organization representing canola growers, processors, life science companies and exporters. Keep it Coming 2025 is the strategic plan to ensure the canola industry’s continued growth, demand, stability and success. For more information, visit canolacouncil.org or follow CCC on Twitter @canolacouncil.
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Media may contact:
Heidi Dancho, Director, Communications
Canola Council of Canada
(204) 227-5731
danchoh@canolacouncil.org
