Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference East 2026

Allison Ammeter, and her husband of 30 years, Michael, operate a third-generation grain farm near Sylvan Lake, Alberta. The Ammeters crop approximately 1600 acres in a rotation of canola, wheat, barley, fababeans and peas, practicing minimum tillage and using variable rate seeding technology. Due to the location close to the Rocky Mountains, the farm experiences an extremely short growing season every year by North American standards. Allison is a director and past-chair of Alberta Pulse Growers, current chair of Pulse Canada. She served as Canadian Chair of the International Year of Pulses 2016, and is currently chair of the Plant Protein Alliance of Alberta. Her goal is to serve the pulse growers and food industry in as many ways as possible, encouraging farmers to GROW MORE PULSES, consumers to EAT MORE PULSES, and the food industry to USE MORE PULSES.

Dawn is a wife of 28 years, with two children ages 24, and 20. She is currently the President of Thompsons Limited, in Blenheim Ontario. In 2013 Thompsons was purchased on a 50/50 joint venture by The Andersons Inc, and Lansing Trade Group. She worked for The Andersons for 28 years prior to my arrival in Canada. Dawn started in 1987 for $6.38 an hour after graduating from Michigan State University. Within the Andersons, she started originating grain then managing other originators as well. By 1996, she was responsible for multiple grain elevator over many years. These elevators were throughout every state. The Andersons owned elevators in from Michigan to Nebraska. In 2007, Dawn became the Sales Director for the Grain Division, and in 2011, was named VP of the Western Region of the Grain Division. In 2013, she moved to Chatham Ontario to run Thompsons Limited. In her spare time she works out and tries to take care of herself both physically and mentally. She enjoys going to see her son in Wisconsin and loves going to country music concerts and being social. Her favorite thing to do is travel, in particular anywhere there is a water. Dawn can’t say she aspired to be a President of a company at any point in her career. But she wouldn’t change a thing. “The challenge of something new brought me here and that drive for challenge will take me to the next place, wherever that may be.”

Born in Grand-Mère, in Mauricie, Québec, Diane Bourassa holds a bachelor degree of Administration, Accounting from l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. She obtained her CPA-CA designation in 1990. After 3 years working as an external auditor at ERNST & YOUNG, she worked in the retail industry at COSTCO and LOBLAWS. Diane spent four years as Director of Finance for a third party logistics service provider METRO CANADA LOGISTIQUE before she came to VETOQUINOL – a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of Animal health products – in 2007. She first assumed the position of Director, Finance and Administration – where she had the opportunity to contribute her own expertise as a Chartered Accountant – responsible for all financial, IT and HR activities for Vetoquinol Commercial and Industrial Canadian Divisions. In September 2011, she was appointed as the General Manager of Vetoquinol Canada. In 2015, she was designated to act as an Administrator of Vetoquiol N.A. inc., the first woman to ever hold such position within the Vetoquinol organisation. Member of the Canadian Animal Health Institute Board of Directors since September 2012, she acted as Chair of the Board from September 2015 to September 2017 and is acting as Past Chair since September 2017.

Tamara Carter, her husband Russ and their three children run a mixed farming operation along the South Saskatchewan River near Lacadena, SK. They crop just under 6,000 acres and run 150 head of commercial Black Angus cattle on 6, 000 acres of native prairie. A former Calgary resident and University of Calgary Alumni, Tamara was transplanted by marriage to Saskatchewan in 1993. She embraced rural life and the challenges of both farming and ranching with enthusiasm as she became part of an operation that has spanned three generations. After 25 years of constant learning within the agriculture industry, her perspective continues to be one of curiosity and excitement. Her interest in forages and research led her to the Saskatchewan Forage Council, which she is currently chairing for a second term. She also sits on the Strategic Advisory Board of the newly constructed Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence, in Clavet, Saskatchewan. An avid horticulturalist and Master Gardener, Tamara can often be found outside working cattle, patching fence or pulling weeds in her many gardens.

Carrie started her career at CN as as summer student 18 years ago while attending Concordia University. Upon graduation, she participated in the University Recruitment and Operations Development Program where she was exposed to a variety of departments and roles within CN. Over the course of the last 18 years, Carrie has held various roles of increasing responsibility across the entire organization and CN system including Regional Operations, Network Operations as well as Marketing and Sales. Carrie has relocated coast-to-coast from Halifax, NS to Vancouver, BC as well as worked in major CN hubs including Montreal, Toronto, Chicago and Edmonton. In her current role, Carrie is responsible for the development, management, oversight and customer interactions of the full end-to-end supply chain delivery for all Automotive, Coal, Grain, Potash, Crude, Pet Coke, Ethanol and Frac Sand Business business units for CN’s entire North American Network. The portfolio represents close to $5 Billion in revenue for CN and has responsibility for the entire life cycle management of 70,000 rail cars. Carrie is processed minded and a champion of change and has been at the ground level establishing and developing various supply chain groups and initiatives alongside internal and external stakeholders. Carrie is based in Edmonton, Alberta.

Health and Productivity Expert Michelle Cederberg galvanizes people to blaze their own path and live a bigger life. An in-demand speaker, author, health expert, coach and consultant, she helps individuals and organizations break through the physical and emotional barriers that get in the way of high-performance – in business and in life. She holds a Masters in Kinesiology, a BA in Psychology, a specialization in Health and Exercise Psychology, is a Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP), a Certified Professional Co-Active Life Coach (CPCC) and an ORSC Trained Team Coach. She combines mind, body, and practicality to inspire change! A natural storyteller, Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) Michelle transports delighted audiences on a journey of truth and laughter that will empower them to optimize health and energy habits, find better work-life balance and gain momentum toward the personal legacy they long to create. Michelle is the author of three books. Her newest book ‘It’s How We Work’ will be released in January 2019.

Anna De Paoli is a Certified Management Consultant specializing in commercial negotiation. She founded De Paoli & Associates to help start, grow and support businesses in rural communities, so that these communities become and remain viable. In doing so she helps preserve a rural lifestyle. Anna works primarily in industrial Agriculture helping her clients in a variety of regulatory and commercial negotiations. She has 15 years international experience in the agricultural, biofuels, petroleum and energy industries and has held board positions in both privately held corporations and the nonprofit sector. Anna has been a long time volunteer with the Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society and currently chairs the race committee, an event in its 114th year that attracts up to 5,000 people each year on July 1st. In 2017 she was awarded the Foothills 150 medal for service by John Barlow MP in recognition of her commitment to the community. Anna has two young children and lives on an acreage in Priddis, Alberta.

Dr. Annemieke Farenhorst is the NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering in the Prairie Region and a professor in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Manitoba. In July 2018, she was appointed Acting Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. Dr. Farenhorst conducts research on pesticides, natural steroid estrogens, and antibiotics in soil and water, and on drinking water quality in First Nations communities. She is the director of the NSERC CREATE H2O program for First Nations water and sanitation security, one of the first science-engineering research programs in Canada that combines technical water and wastewater management training with Indigenous theory, law, and methodological skills training. For the past 14 years, Dr. Farenhorst has also been contributing to the National Agri-Environmental Health Analysis and Reporting Program of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to develop and refine a pesticide indicator that consists of a stochastic model coupled to the Pesticide Root Zone Model. Through her work, she has contributed to over 300 articles, abstracts, and reports on chemical fate processes and water quality. As well, Dr. Farenhorst is on the Board of Directors of Canadian Centre for Women in Science, Engineering, Trades and Technology, and was named a WXN 2016 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award winner. She has served as a member of the Advisory Group Supporting the Advancement of Women in Agriculture, Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council, and in 2017 launched a Manitoba mentorship program for women in agriculture.

Dianne Finstad is a communications specialist with a passion for all things agriculture. She spent over thirty years as a broadcaster and reporter, specializing in agriculture and rodeo coverage. Raised on a ranch in southern Alberta, she was able to combine her 4-H inspired interests in communication and ag into an interesting career, which now takes her to exciting places like Advancing Women in Agriculture conferences. Based in Red Deer, she began her career at CKRD-TV and radio. Her program ‘This Business of Farming’ was a staple in many rural households around the province. She also worked at KG Country Radio, providing daily farm reports and regular rodeo coverage. As well, Dianne has MC’d at events ranging from Farm Credit Canada Forums to national dairy shows. She works as both a show announcer and rodeo reporter at the Calgary Stampede. Her work has received numerous awards, and she is an honorary member of the Alberta Institute of Agrologists and the Alberta Human Ecology and Home Economics Association. Dianne is currently doing agriculture, rodeo, writing and speaking work across the country.

Angie Fox is the sole owner/operator of Steadfast Ranch. The Manitoba Ranch is a cow-calf operation that currently runs 1100 pairs for summer grazing and winters 200 mother cows. Angie works at the local Ste Rose Auction mart as a sales clerk weekly and continues to be an active part of her local community. She has four children that are an integral part of the operation, Devon (21), Charlee (12), Porter (11) and Major (9).

Kellie Garrett is an executive coach and board director who speaks and consults on leadership, internal culture change, governance and business strategy. She coaches individuals, teams and boards on high performance, leadership, culture and many other topics. A professional certified coach, Kellie also is a Certified Board Director and Certified Daring Way Facillitator, qualified to teach the work of Brené Brown. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur in 2013, Kellie was a Senior VP at Farm Credit Canada, responsible for business strategy, enterprise risk management, the customer experience, and reputation management. She is a communication expert, named Master Communicator and Fellow by the International Association of Business Communicators. Kellie is also a graduate of Royal Roads University’s Master of Arts in Leadership program. Kellie is passionate about helping others reach their potential. She was named one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2007 and Top 25 Women of Influence in 2012. An ardent volunteer, she also received the Red Cross Humanitarian Award (SK) in 2014, primarily for her work on autism advocacy and Dress for Success.

Merrill Green of Lethbridge, Alberta, is currently a Territory Representative with Global Ag Risk Solutions and is excited to add value to producers to see them succeed. Merrill is extremely passionate about agriculture as a graduate of Olds College Ag Business, and a lengthy career in the banking industry as an AG Lender. Merrill grew up on a mixed farming operation south of Dunmore, Alberta where the family homesteaded and is now in the fourth generation. On the personal side, Merrill and her Husband are avid hockey fans and have been a billet family over the years. They have one son who currently is attending University in Phoenix, Arizona. Merrill enjoys travelling and regularly plays a round or two of golf in the summer months.

As Head of the Prairies Region, Allison is accountable for the management of all Corporate Finance Division lines of business, products and services for the region (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba). Allison joined BMO in 1997 as a Commercial Account Manager trainee in Toronto and progressed through various roles in Commercial Banking, Headquarters and Corporate Finance. Her first executive appointment was in May 2012 as District Vice President, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island and then became Regional Vice President, Commercial Banking, Atlantic Canada in August 2013. Allison holds an MBA from Queen’s University is a Chartered Professional Accountant and earned an undergraduate degree in business from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Joan is responsible for the commercial customer relationships and product marketing related to CP’s bulk business, including grain, fertilizers, potash and coal. Joan joined CP in spring 2018 after 12 years at Richardson International, Canada’s largest agri-business and a global leader in agriculture and food processing, where she served as Vice-President, Transportation. There she was responsible for rail, marine and truck transportation across Richardson’s North American network. Prior to joining Richardson International, Joan spent 21 years at Canadian National, where she held various roles, including Operations Superintendent, Assistant Vice-President, Sales and Senior Director in CN’s customer service centre. Joan holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Manitoba. She is located in Winnipeg, the home of key grain shippers, where she is well positioned to further CP’s goal of sustainable, profitable growth. Joan chairs the Board of Trustees for United Way Winnipeg. She is also a volunteer and past board member with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra.

Arlen is a Director, Agriculture for the Prairies Canadian Commercial Banking team at BMO Bank of Montreal. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Agricultural Business from the University of Guelph and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. Arlen started her career as a Commercial Account Manager managing an ag portfolio in South Western Ontario. Since then, she has held different roles within Business Banking including Mid-Market Credit Analyst, Commercial Community Manager and Senior Credit Manager in Enterprise Risk. Arlen grew up in rural Ontario in a farming community. She recently moved to Alberta to further support the strong agriculture market in Western Canada. Arlen is an advocate for women in business and has been involved in numerous Women in Ag initiatives.

Terri works within the Assurance & Accounting services group at Catalyst assisting clients with their business planning, growth and succession issues. As CEO of Catalyst Terri leads the firm in their “Smart Growth” strategy, which has included firm acquisitions, business development initiatives, the expansion of client services and mentoring young professionals. With over 25 years’ experience in agriculture, she is a well-known industry expert with specialized expertise in the area of developing leadership and family operation transitions which has resulted in various speaking and consulting engagements to producers and industry groups. She also plays a leading role as a teacher and mentor in Catalyst’s Agriculture Leadership and Management Development program designed specifically for producers. This is her latest involvement sharing her ex