Our Board

Dean brings a strong Education perspective to the board. For many years, as a teacher then later with Ministry of Education as the science consultant, writing K-12 science curriculum. Dean is no stranger to AITC as he spent several years on the board as a representative of the Ministry of Education and collaborated with AITC through his current work with Saskatchewan Industry Education Council and the Sunwest School Division.

Keith grain farms South of Lone Rock in NW Saskatchewan where he grows canola, wheat and peas. Part of the farm is at Maidstone where his great grandfather homesteaded as a Barr Colonist. Keith has been involved with SaskCanola since 2017 as a director. He is passionate about promoting agriculture in a positive way and building trust between consumers and farmers. He has a diploma in agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan and cherishes the connections that resulted in attaining his degree.

Ashton Wilson, CPA, CA, is a Business Advisor with MNP’s Agriculture Services team in Saskatoon. In her work, Ashton collaborates one-on-one with individuals, small businesses and corporations in the agricultural sector, with a focus on family grain farms. She is experienced with corporate and personal tax planning, operational governance, succession planning, financial reporting and strategic planning. Ashton earned a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm) in accounting from the University of Saskatchewan’s Edwards School of Business in 2012. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2014.

Brad Schultz is the Vice President of Finance for the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC). Brad started with SCIC on July 22, 2019. In his current role, Brad is responsible for the Finance, Compliance, Privacy and Facilities of the organization. Prior to his current role, Brad worked in the Credit Union financial cooperative for 30 years. His roles with the Credit Union included many areas with the last 20 years being in management. With the Canadian Co-operative Association, Brad had the opportunity to assist in the development of mature financial systems at the Credit Unions in Malawi and Uganda over a period of two years. Brad was also a member of School Boards for 13 years and a member of the local Co-op Board for 20 years. His involvement with the Co-op Board allowed him the opportunity to be elected to the Federated Co-op Board of Directors and most recently to President Chair of the Board of Federated Co-operatives Limited. Brad is very involved in his community, as well as in his children's activities. He has had the pleasure of coaching his children in many sports including hockey, soccer, baseball and football. Brad remains active in the farming community as he owns purebred Angus cattle. This opportunity allows Brad to spend time out in the country during calving and throughout the year. In addition, it is common for Brad to be seen operating farm machinery, especially during harvest, proving you can’t take the farmer out of the boy.

Dale’s past experience with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the National Indigenous Agriculture Association will be a huge asset to the Board. Dale continues to work using his experience and skills to develop and implement activities / strategies which create a life-long interest in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) amongst Indigenous students.

Jessica Lovich is a passionate dairy farmer from the Regina area. With her husband, they own Lovholm Holsteins, a dairy farm that focuses on genetics and production. They are also currently raising the next generation of future agricultural leaders with their three girls. Outside of farm life Jessica and her family are all actively involved in their community through sports and youth groups. Jessica is currently a director for SaskMilk but would love to be part of the AITC organization as well. Their family farm hosts farm tours through Ag In the Classroom and other industry partners. They love talking agriculture with school groups, industry groups and various tours that come to their farm. It is important that people understand the agriculture industry and how it impacts their lives. Jessica feels she would be an asset to the AITC board as she is passionate about education and have experience with the program as well.

Jessica Podhordeski is the Community Relations/Public Education Coordinator for Sask Pork. Jessica, her husband and their two boys live on a farm near Marcelin, SK. Jessica grew up in Saskatoon with no real family connection to Agriculture. Her love of horses led her to join 4-H, and later to the College of Agriculture where she received a BSA in Animal Science. During her time at university, Jessica gained much hands-on experience, as well as married into a farming family. Jessica's career so far has been strongly focused in the hog sector and public education, but has also included the beef, sheep, goat and dairy industries. Last year my Jessica and her husband purchased the farm from his parents and now run a retail hay operation. They are excited to expand and to finally be able to raise their family on the farm!

Karly has been involved in agriculture her whole through 4-H, her family farm and now as the Public Trust Specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture. We look forward to fresh ideas from Karly!

Kendra Wack is the Executive Director of FEAD (Female Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food Development). She grew up learning the ropes of agriculture in their mixed farming operation near Rosetown, SK alongside three other generations of her family. Kendra completed her Bachelor of Education Degree in Home Economics/Social Sciences, as well as was the youngest on record admitted, and to completion of the University of Saskatchewan Edwards MBA. She is passionate about value-added production to ensure food, and economic security of primary producers, as well as the utilization of agri-innovation technologies. Kendra is a passionate advocate about agri-innovation communications and entrepreneurship she practices this herself in providing consulting services to agriculture and medical business. Outside of her career, Kendra enjoys spending time at the lake, yoga, and going on long walks with her English bulldog Gigi.

I am Robyn (Waldenberger) Henry, a Professional Agrologist and fourth-generation grain farmer at Hodgeville, in south-central Saskatchewan. My husband, Scott, and I are raising the 5th generation while we farm alongside my parents where we grow durum wheat, canola, barley, chickpeas, and lentils. I was elected to the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Board of Directors in 2023 where I serve on the Communications & Market Development, Governance, and Research & Development committees. In August of 2023 I created Bird’s Eye Agronomic Consulting Ltd where I collaborate with producers to optimize their crop input utilization and encourage sustainable farming practices. Growing up as a teacher’s kid, I had a deep interest in education. Initially, I attended University to obtain my Education degree, but transferred to the College of Agriculture and Bioresources when I discovered agriculture was my path forward. As a consulting agronomist, I now combine both of my passions for education and agronomy to benefit the producers I work with, consumers, and especially kids. I believe kids learning hands-on and impactful facts about agriculture is the key to inspiring future farmers, agricultural scientists and engineers, as well as informed consumers.

Sarah Heppner is a Marketing Manager at Fast Genetics. She grew up on a mixed farm near Spiritwood, SK, where her family raised cattle and grew grains and forages. After graduating high school, Sarah obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, majoring in Animal Science at the University of Saskatchewan. This is when she was first introduced to volunteering with AITC (through being involved in the CALM initiative). She now works for Fast Genetics, a pig genetics company with roots in Saskatchewan, and currently manage their marketing and communications while also completing her MBA through the University of Guelph. Outside of her career, Sarah loves getting involved in anything to do with promoting agriculture and educating on how incredible the industry is. Some of these activities, outside of AITC, include advising on the Sask Pork Symposium board, being an educator on Farm and Food Care food influencer tour, and working with the Animal (Bio) Science Club at the UofS on educating students about careers available in their field.

Tracey Thoen works for Cargill, a worldwide food supply chain company that provides products for multiple sectors in the agricultural industry. She grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan but had a love of gardening instilled at a young age from spending time on family members farms. Tracey currently resides on a hobby farm outside of Saskatoon with chickens and goats while practicing cover crops to regenerate the soil. She feels it is important for children to know how food is grown and how it gets from farms to the grocery store and how better eating equals better health. She has been a volunteer with Ag in the Classroom for many years, visiting classrooms and sharing her story about agriculture and how you don’t need to be raised on a farm to have a love for the industry.