SASKATOON, Saskatchewan — The Board of Directors of Ag-West Bio Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Churchill as the organization’s next president and chief executive officer. Churchill brings to the position a wealth of knowledge and an array of experiences in the agriculture industry, on a provincial, national and global level. She will join Ag-West Bio on November 18, 2019.
Churchill holds a PhD in Food Science, with a focus on cereal chemistry, from the University of Minnesota; and Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Master of Science degrees from the University of Saskatchewan. Immediately prior to her current role as Director of Research and Market Support with Cereals Canada, she was the Quality Projects Manager at Cargill Malt. She has also worked as Product Development Manager with Master Foods in the United Kingdom and as a scientist with the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) in Australia. Churchill has served on the Board of Ag-West Bio for the past four years. She will resign that position effective immediately.
Churchill feels this is a tremendous opportunity to contribute in building the sustainability and growth of the bioscience sector in Saskatchewan. “My roots are in Saskatchewan agriculture and Ag-West Bio is well-known and respected for its role in promoting Saskatchewan’s agri-food and bioscience industry. I have admired the work of Ag-West Bio for many years, so it is an honour to be selected to lead this outstanding team.”
Bob Tyler, Chair of Ag-West Bio, says he and the rest of the Board of Directors are delighted to have Churchill join Ag-West Bio as its next president and CEO. “Karen’s background in science, research and the agriculture industry, coupled with her outstanding interpersonal and communications skills, will ensure that Ag-West Bio enjoys continued success in its role as ambassador for the Province’s bioscience and agri-food sectors, that it remains the lead networking and support organization for entrepreneurs and start-ups in these sectors, and is positioned to take on new opportunities.”
Churchill is taking over from Wilf Keller, who has served as president and CEO since April 2010 and will retire from Ag-West Bio early in 2020. “The Board of Directors would like to thank Wilf for his stellar leadership over the past decade, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” says Tyler.
About Ag-West Bio
Ag-West Bio is Saskatchewan’s bioscience industry association and bioeconomy catalyst. Since 1989, its mandate has been to help move research to market and grow biobusiness in the province. Ag-West Bio is primarily funded by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Agricultural Partnership program, with support from Western Economic Diversification Canada and the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program.
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Contacts
Dr. Robert (Bob) Tyler
Chair of the Board of Directors
Ag-West Bio Inc.
(306) 966-6940
bob.tyler@usask.ca
Jackie Robin
Communications Director
Ag-West Bio Inc.
(306) 668-2656
jackie.robin@agwest.sk.ca