BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CIFST is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by its members.  The Board of Directors is empowered, through the By-laws of CIFST, to act on behalf of members in order to carry out the goals of CIFST.

The Board of Directors is comprised of:

  • President (also Chair of Executive Committee)
  • President Elect (member of Executive Committee)
  • Past President (Member of Executive Committee)
  • Director – Section Advisory Council Liaison
  • Director – Subject Interest Division Advisory Council Liaison
  • Director – Committee or Special Projects Liaison
  • Director – Committee or Special Projects Liaison
  • Executive Director (non-voting member)

National activities of the CIFST are managed by an Association Management Company (AMC) and an Executive Director.  The Executive Director’s responsibilities include providing governance support to the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and Sections, as well as the coordination of National Committees, membership, communications and office operations.

Mr. Louis Ayotte - President

Organization: ROHA Group
Position: Senior Manager

T: 437-221-3396

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisayotte/

Mr. Robert Kowal - Past President

Organization: Kriscor & Associates
Position: President

T: 416-566-3826

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kowal-4814254/

Ms. Amanda Butt - Director

Organization: Moosehead Breweries
Position: VP Operations 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-butt-9b41bb57/

Ms. Tanya Der - Director

Organization: Pulse Canada
Position: Director of Food Innovation & Marketing

T: 204-925-3783

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanya-der-6676722/

Dr. Marcia English - Director

Organization: St. Francis Xavier University, Department of Human Nutrition
Position: Associate Professor

T: 902-867-5935

W: https://x-foodresearchlab.com/

M. François Girard - Director

Organization: Qualtech
Position: Process optimization coordinator

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francois-girard-a97237113/

Mr. John G. Keogh, CAIE - Director

Organization: McGill University

Position: Professor of Practice 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngkeogh/

Ms. Sara Lui - Director

Organization: Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre Inc.
Position: Director New Product Innovation 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-lui-6802b943/

Ms. Dana McCauley - Director

Organization: Canadian Food Innovation Network
Position: Chief Experience Officer

T: 519-766-5928

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danamccauley/

Dr. Yvonne Yuan - Director

Organization: Ryerson University
Position: Associate Professor

T: 416-979-5000

Ms. Constance Wrigley-Thomas, CAE, DES - ex officio

Organization: Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology
Position: Executive Director

T: 1–844-755-6679

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/constance-wrigley-thomas-cae/