FCC - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice - President
- Finance
For more than 20 years at FCC, Corinna has passionately applied her business, strategic and people-focused talents to her senior leadership roles in Finance, Operations and Risk Management.
As Executive Vice-President, Finance, Corinna is responsible for finance, treasury, internal audit, pension management and loan administration.
Corinna served 10 years as Chief Risk Officer and was instrumental in building enterprise risk management foundations and future-fit risk practices for the organization to maintain industry trust and deliver great customer relationships.
Corinna holds a bachelor of administration degree from the University of Regina, and is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a CFA Charterholder. In 2022, she was recognized by the Regina YWCA with a Woman of Distinction Award for Leadership in Business. She is a past Woman of Influence as named by Saskatchewan Business Magazine.
Corinna has volunteered on numerous not-for-profit boards and currently sits on the National Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity Canada and chairs their Enterprise Risk and Affiliate Relations Committee.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Enterprise Management Team
- Executive Vice - President, Agri - Food, Alliances and FCC Capital
Darren brings more than 25 years of diverse global investment experience to FCC, having held a variety of senior executive roles at provincial and federal Crown corporation investment organizations. He started his career as an attorney with Torys LLP after graduating from the University of Manitoba. Prior to joining FCC, Darren was a co-founder of a U.S.-based farmland investment firm that acquired operating farmland alongside grower partners, with a business plan of transitioning management practices from conventional to regenerative.
Having lived in five Canadian provinces in addition to New York, Darren and his family support a variety of charitable initiatives throughout communities they've called home. These include the University of Winnipeg Foundation and the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director since November 17, 2017
Govert Verstralen is a former Principal Officer and past President and CEO of Rabobank Canada. He has over 45 years of experience and knowledge of the banking and financial industry and broad knowledge of the agribusiness sector. Govert was a member of the North American Compliance Committee and the Operational Risk Management Committee. Govert was also a Business Developer at Rabobank in the food and agri-business sector.
Govert is an 11-year member of the board of Food Processors of Canada and was a member of the Canadian Agri-Food Marketing Council for five years where he advised the ministers of Agriculture and International Trade to help grow the Canadian food industry.
Govert is active in his community. He participated in a garden and house tour fundraising event at his home for the Scarborough Centenary Hospital. Currently, Govert is assisting his partner in running a small business that imports, exports and distributes architectural business products such as columns, domes and mouldings.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice - President, Strategy and Impact
J.P. Gervais is Executive Vice-President, Strategy and Impact at FCC. His insights help guide FCC strategy, monitor risks and identify opportunities in the economic environment. In addition to acting as an FCC spokesperson on economic matters, J.P. provides commentary on the agriculture and food industry through videos and the FCC Economics blog.
Prior to joining FCC in 2010, J.P. was a professor of agricultural economics at North Carolina State University and Laval University. J.P. is a Fellow of the Canadian Agricultural Economics Society. He obtained his PhD in economics from Iowa State University in 1999.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director since December 15, 2014 Appointed Board Chairperson in April 2020
Jane Halford has held various leadership and advisory positions over her career.
From 2003 to 2005, she worked for the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Alberta as the Director of Practice Review. She served as the Chief Executive Officer for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta and as Executive Director of the Chartered Accountants' Education Foundation from 2005 to 2013. Most recently, Ms. Halford has been supporting boards and executives with leadership transitions and governance through her company Halford Consulting Inc. and has been an active FCC board member since December 2014. She has also served on multiple agriculture-related boards including the Canadian Angus Foundation, Delta Genomics, and Alpha Phenomics where she is currently the chair.
Ms. Halford received her Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta in 1994, became a Chartered Accountant in 1997, and became a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants in 2012.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Member of the Enterprise Management Team
- President
- Director since January 30, 2023
- Member of the University of Ottawa Board of Governors
- President and Chief Executive Officer / Executive Vice - President, Human Resources ( Interim )
Justine sits as FCC's President and CEO after 17 years with Export Development Canada (EDC) and 7 years with Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). She is an impactful leader whose diverse experience includes delivering financial services on the front line, overseeing successful organizational transformations, evolving risk management capabilities, spearheading the development of innovative financial products, and developing and executing corporate strategies. Much of her career has been focused on lending to and supporting Canadian businesses across critical sectors, including agriculture and agri-food.
In her time at EDC, Justine was responsible for several different business functions including business development in the resources, forestry, seafood, agricultural equipment, light manufacturing and extractive sectors, the transformation of EDC's Financing and Investment Group, and full responsibility for EDC's $9B Insurance and Working Capital Solutions portfolio. Prior to leaving EDC, Justine was appointed to be EDC's first Chief Sustainability Officer and was responsible for aligning EDC's 10-year corporate strategy with evolving business principles and practices focused on the environment, human rights, and innovation.
Justine is known for her energizing leadership style, mobilizing and listening to her teams while making sure to put the client at the center of decisions.
Justine is a member of the University of Ottawa Board of Governors and currently sits on their Audit Committee. She also volunteers extensively and has served as Chair of the Digital Opportunity Trust and Chair of the Forum for Young Canadians.
Justine earned an MBA from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Carleton University. She is the recipient of several awards related to her inspirational leadership and community involvement.
Job Titles:
- Vice - President, Internal Audit
With more than 20 years of experience, Karen focuses on enhancing and protecting organizational value by providing risk-based independent assurance, advice and insight.
She believes in a collaborative and relationship-based approach to solving problems, pursuing practical solutions that create clarity and meet the needs of stakeholders. Karen has a proven track record of establishing effective partnerships and identifying paths to business success. She has helped lead in re-envisioning team structures to improve delivery and results.
A Chartered Professional Accountant, Karen has a degree in business administration from the University of Regina. She enjoys running, the great outdoors and keeping up with her very active twin boys.
Marie-Claude is responsible for embedding the environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy throughout FCC. Her team provides expertise on ESG best practices and sustainable agriculture. She has extensive experience in sustainability and climate finance, working in more than 15 countries.
Prior to joining FCC in 2024, Marie-Claude was a senior advisor at an international consulting company and served as executive director of the Greater Montreal Climate Fund. She earned a master's in environment from Simon Fraser University and an MBA from Concordia's John Molson School of Business.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Secretary
- Member of the Canadian Bar Association
- Vice - President, Law and Corporate Secretary
Megan Dolo is Vice-President, Law and Corporate Secretary at FCC. She leads a national team accountable for legal services, ethics, regulatory compliance, privacy and access to information, and Board of Directors support.
Megan is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and the Board of REACH, a non-profit organization supporting Regina residents' access to safe, affordable and nutritious food. Megan is a Certified In-House Counsel and was honoured to receive the King's Counsel designation from the Minister of Justice in 2022.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director since May 21, 2021
Michael Tees is an experienced financial services professional with over 25 years of experience in corporate banking and risk management. His strengths include deal origination, relationship management, risk identification and mitigation, credit structuring, financial analysis, and underwriting the financing of complex public corporations and larger mid-market private company loan portfolios across a diverse set of industries, including primary agriculture and value-added agribusinesses.
He has held several senior management and executive positions for major banks across Canada. This career path has led him to his current position serving as a Vice-President in Western Canada for Marsh & McLennan Companies.
Michael holds a BA from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington, Seattle.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director since November 17, 2017
With over 25 years of experience within the insurance, investment and pension consulting environments, Ms. Hengen has built a strong career as an actuarial professional. She has assumed roles with increasing professional responsibilities over the years, culminating in her role of Chief Risk Officer for a national multi-line insurance and investment group of companies.
Ms. Hengen is a seasoned consultant with proven success across multiple disciplines. She successfully ran an independent risk consulting and executive coaching practice where she served a variety of clients for five years before joining the team at People First to support an expanded clientele base. Ms. Hengen has also been serving on Farm Credit Canada's Board of Directors since 2017.
Ms. Hengen received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Regina and attained the designations of Fellow and Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst from the Society of Actuaries. She has also achieved the Associate Certified Coach designation through the International Coaching Federation.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director since November 17, 2017
Mr. James Laws has an extensive background in agriculture with over 40 years of work experience. He has worked across Canada in a variety of senior agribusiness-related roles and has lived and worked overseas on international development projects as well as private-sector farm operations. His current employment as an Agricultural Consultant has led him to work overseas including in Suriname, Senegal, and Tanzania.
Prior to starting his consultation business, he served as the Executive Director of the Canadian Meat Council from 2004 to 2016 and was the Executive Director of the Canadian Farm Business Management Council from 1999 to 2003. He has also been serving on Farm Credit Canada's Board of Directors since 2017.
Mr. Laws holds an Honours B.Sc. in Agriculture from the University of Guelph and a Professional Agrologist designation from the Ontario Institute of Agrologists. He is fluent in English and French and has a working knowledge of Spanish.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director since May 21, 2021
- Financial Services Leader
Ms. Achrekar is an accomplished financial services leader with over 25 years of experience in global capital markets, risk management, governance and innovation. Ms. Achrekar currently serves as an Executive in Residence at the Global Risk Institute. Prior to that, she held various Senior Vice-President positions at a leading Canadian bank in market risk management, corporate credit, and compliance transformation.
Ms. Achrekar's Board experience includes being a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund's (CIPF) Board of Directors since 2018 and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada's (IIROC) Board of Directors from 2015 to 2019.
Ms. Achrekar holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. She has completed Advanced Management Program at Wharton Business School, has a Master's of Business Administration from Mumbai University's Jamnalal Bajaj Institute and a Bachelor of Technology (Electrical Engineering) from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. She was awarded the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) designation by the Global Association of Risk Professionals.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice - President, Risk and Legal
- Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants
Sameer brings over 30 years of business experience in capital markets, export development, international business, global finance and regulatory compliance to FCC. He has held progressively senior financial, operational and governance leadership roles at CIBC, TD, RBC and Export Development Canada (EDC).
Specializing in enterprise risk management, operational excellence and client relations, Sameer's experience spans Canada, the UK, Australia, Singapore and Japan. Prior to joining FCC, he led the transformation of EDC's internal audit function to become a trusted business advisor, senior vice-president, chief internal auditor and chief independent accountability mechanism officer. He is recognized as a collaborative leader who improves business capabilities and nurtures organizational value. An investor in people, he chaired the largest and most diverse employee resource group at EDC.
Sameer is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, holds a bachelor of commerce (honours) degree from the University of Bombay and is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
Job Titles:
- Vice - President
- Member of Red Pheasant Cree Nation
Shaun Soonias is a member of Red Pheasant Cree Nation, a signatory of Treaty 6 located south of Battleford, Sask. As Vice-President, Indigenous Relations at FCC, his focus is on activities that will enable reconciliation and economic development for Indigenous communities, including increasing participation in and access to capital for primary production through the agri-food and agribusiness value chains. Shaun also builds intersections for growth, understanding, partnerships, research and knowledge dissemination between government, industry, non-profits, academia and Indigenous stakeholders through FCC's national network of partners and industry stakeholders.
Shaun joined FCC in 2019, eager to be part of the agriculture industry and work with Indigenous individuals, communities and economic development corporations as they build and revitalize their agriculture projects. He has over 30 years of experience in social and economic development work and held senior positions with the Saskatchewan Indigenous Economic Development Network, Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth, the University of Saskatchewan and the Department of Justice. Shaun is proud to sit on the TELUS Indigenous Advisory Council and on the boards of Indigenous Works, the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food, and Cooperatives First.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice - President, Growth and Innovation / Executive Vice - President, Ag Production ( Interim )
Throughout her over three-decade tenure at FCC, Sophie has showcased exceptional leadership, strategic insight, and operational expertise in numerous executive roles. These attributes have enabled her to effectively create and execute organizational strategies, connect with employees across all tiers, and address the needs of FCC's clientele.
Beginning her journey as a Relationship Manager, Sophie rapidly advanced to more prominent roles in both frontline and corporate environments. Most notably, she led the organisation's largest technical transformation and, as Chief Operating Officer, spearheaded the National Operations team, expanded FCC's lending portfolio, and continuously improved customer experience. In her new role overseeing the Growth and Innovation division, she is set to advance corporate strategies by developing impactful products and services, refining lending processes, and centralising innovative solutions.
Sophie holds a degree in Agricultural Economics from Laval University and a certification from the Institute of Corporate Directors. She has contributed to boards such as the Regina Food Bank and Food Banks Canada. Her accomplishments were honoured in 2021 when she was named one of Women's Executive Network Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director since May 21, 2021
- External Member of the Audit Committee of the Institut
Ms. Chagnon possesses extensive experience in the financial, environmental, and agricultural sectors. During her successful career, she was President and CEO of the Quebec government's Green Fund management board, Vice President Credit and Financial Products at Investissement Québec, Regional Vice President at National Bank of Canada, and General Manager - Operations at CIBC.
Ms. Chagnon is currently an external member of the Audit Committee of the Institut de tourisme et d'hôtellerie du Québec. She chaired La Financière Agricole du Québec's board of directors and the Risk Management Association - Montreal Chapter. She also was director of Quebec government's Green Fund management board, Quebec Association of MBAs, Société Innovatech du Grand Montréal, Société Innovatech du Sud du Québec and Société Innovatech Régions ressources.
Ms. Chagnon holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Ottawa and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Moncton.
The engaging leadership and vision for which Ms. Chagnon's contribution of the financial sector is well known have been recognized by the Association des femmes en finance du Québec, Réseau des Femmes d'affaires du Québec, Premières en affaires, and Quebec's Collège des administrateurs de sociétés.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director since April 5, 2012
Sylvie Cloutier from Bromont, Quebec, is a front-line player in Quebec's agri-food sector. She has been working in strategic roles in the sector for nearly 20 years and has developed expertise in issues management, food industry negotiations, stakeholder relations, and public affairs. She has been with the Quebec Food Processing Council since 2003, first as Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs and then as President and CEO, a position she has held since 2010. Between 1999 and 2003, Sylvie served as Vice-President of Communications and Executive Director of the Canadian Grand Prix New Products Awards at the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors.
Sylvie has served on several boards over the years, including, Aliments du Québec, Éco Entreprises Québec, and the Council for Food Progress Initiatives. In addition to FCC, she currently sits on the boards of the Quebec Industrial Research Center, the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity, the Conseil du Patronat du Québec, Provision Coalition, and the Food Processing Development Fund. She also sits on the Steering Committee of the federal Food Processing Industry Round Table and is a founding member of Food and Beverage Canada.
Prior to being involved in the food industry, Sylvie worked for the global public relations firm Hill + Knowlton Strategies Canada as a strategic advisor, and in different positions for the federal government.
Sylvie is actively involved with the Tablée des chefs' funding committee, which is dedicated to helping people in need and developing culinary education with young people.
Sylvie holds a Bachelor degree in Communications from the University of Ottawa.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice - President, Marketing and Public Affairs
Todd has spent his entire career working in the agriculture and food sector, including the past 20 years with FCC where he's held various leadership positions within the organization.
In his current role, Todd leads the team responsible for partnerships and government relations, social media, community investment, communications, and brand management. He holds a bachelor of administration degree in marketing from the University of Regina.
Growing up in rural Saskatchewan, Todd believes strongly in giving back to the community. He has served on the boards of Hope's Home, the Farm Safe Foundation and the Canadian 4-H Foundation. He currently serves as a board director for the Global Institute for Food Security.
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Member of the Enterprise Management Team
- Executive Vice - President, Technology Enablement
Travis leads the technology team to develop and support solutions that improve the productivity of FCC employees and customers. He's passionate about bringing people together to solve complex problems, initiate meaningful change and achieve results.
Travis has been a leader at FCC since 2006 in various roles such as Vice‑President of Business Solutions, Vice-President of Development Operations, Executive Vice‑President and Chief Information Officer. Prior to joining FCC, Travis held technology leadership positions in a variety of sectors, including oil and gas, transportation, agriculture and financial services. He graduated with a degree in business administration from the University of Regina.
Travis served as the Executive Sponsor of FCC's annual United Way campaign and was an active mentor with 4-H Canada. Additionally, he has held various volunteer positions with youth sports committees and associations. Travis maintains a busy schedule throughout the year, participating as a hockey player and coach, golfer and competitive water skier.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Communication Consultant