GUELPH, ON, OCTOBER 8, 2026 - We are excited to announce key updates to our Board of Directors. As we continue to advance our mission, we are ushering in new leadership and welcoming three exceptional industry leaders to our board.
These leadership transitions and additions bring a wealth of expertise, passion, and strategic vision to guide our next chapter of growth and innovation across the F&B sector.
2026–2027 Board Executive Officers
Please join us in recognizing the full executive leadership team and advisory roles:
- Chair: Belinda Elysee-Collen
- Vice-Chair: Kathlyne Ross
- Secretary: Jillian MacCallum Sproul
- Treasurer: David Barber
- Past Chair: Sandy Somers
- Ex-Officio Advisory: Rickey Yada
We extend our deep gratitude to Sandy Somers for his guidance and leadership as Chair, and we look forward to his continued counsel as Past Chair.
Welcoming Our New Board Members
We are also delighted to welcome three new directors to our Board:
Jenny Lemieux
- Title & Organization: Co-Founder & CEO, Vivid Machines
- About Jenny: Jenny brings deep expertise at the intersection of agriculture, artificial intelligence, and commercialization through her work scaling AI platforms for top global brands and building precision yield tech for fruit producers. A Professional Engineer holding Master's degrees in Design and AI Management, she bridges field-level farming reality with cutting-edge tech innovation.
Alan Maddox
- Title & Organization: President, Premium Brands Culinary Group
- About Alan: Alan brings decades of executive food industry leadership, from directing international business at McCain Foods to growing and scaling successful food enterprises across Canada. He currently serves as President of the Premium Brands Culinary Group, where he oversees one of the company's core platform divisions.
Richard Reid
- Title & Organization: Chief Executive Officer, Supply Chain Canada (Manitoba)
- About Richard: Richard brings over 25 years of private and public sector supply chain leadership, specializing in risk reduction, operational efficiency, and profitability. He is an experienced governance leader, having served extensively on national and provincial boards and decision-making bodies across the sector.
Looking Ahead
Please join us in congratulating our new officers. With this accomplished team in place, we are well-positioned to drive innovation and support our rapidly growing community in the years ahead.
