Membership

Dr. Lehman graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan in 1999 and also holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Alberta.  

After working in private mixed animal practice in Barrhead, Alberta, Keith joined the Canadian Food Inspection Agency where he worked in various position prior to joining Alberta Agriculture and Forestry in June 2014.  After two years with the Animal Health Section, he was appointed as Alberta’s Chief Provincial Veterinarian in June 2016.   

Dr. Lehman completed a two-year term as chair of the Council of Chief Veterinary Officers in December 2018.  He has also been involved with early development of the Plant and Animal Health Strategy, CanSURV BSE, the national Antimicrobial Resistance Steering Committee, and serves as an ex-officio member on the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association Council. Dr. Lehman represents the Council of Chief Veterinary Officers on the Animal Health Canada board.

Dr. Rosengren graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan in 2001. After graduation Leigh worked in mixed animal practice in Humboldt and Weyburn, Saskatchewan. She received a PhD in Veterinary Epidemiology from the University of Saskatchewan (2008) and established a consulting service for Canada’s livestock and poultry sectors with their animal health and food safety concerns.  Most recently, Leigh completed a Masters of Agribusiness from Kansas State University (2021) she oversaw the family cow-calf beef operation.

Leigh has recently joined the Canadian Cattle Association as their Animal Health and Care lead. She also sits on the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association as a director and serves as the Animal Health and Welfare committee chair.

Dave Taylor is the past Chair of the BC Dairy Association and a past Director with Dairy Farmers of Canada.  He is a passionate advocate for the BC and national dairy industry.  

He and his brother operate Viewfield Farms in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, although the success of their farm lies with all who are a part of the Viewfield team which involves 3 generations.      

The Taylors have been the recipients of the Top Quality Milk award for Vancouver Island for 8 of the last 10 years and have been in the top 5 herds for milk quality in the province each of the past 5 years.  They are strong advocates of DFC’s quality assurance program proAction.     

In 2008, Dave and his wife Lisa represented their farm in competition in BC, and then nationally in Calgary, where they were awarded the Canadian Outstanding Young Farmers Award.

The Taylors have been dairy farming since Dave’s grandfather bought his first farm in 1946 in Saanichton, just outside of Victoria, BC. They milk 130 registered holsteins.  

Luce Bélanger

is a chicken farmer from the Jacques-Cartier area, near Quebec City, Quebec. She holds a degree in animal science from McGill University (1994) and has been farming for 22 years. Luce took over her family farm in (1999), and then went on to study at Laval University where she obtained an MBA in agribusiness (2004).

Luce has been a Director on the Board of Les Éleveurs de volailles du Quebec since (2017) and has been Quebec’s Alternate Director at Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC) since (2018).  She is also a member of CFC’s Production Committee and is a strong supporter of CFC’s Animal Care Program and On-Farm Food Safety Program. Luce joined the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council in 2021 as the CFC representative. Luce enjoys serving on various agriculture organizations because she believes in the importance of providing Canadians with food that is grown to the highest standards.

Dr. Luc Bergeron graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montreal in 2001. He then worked as a large animal practitioner. In 2006, he obtained a master's degree in epidemiology from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montreal. Dr. Bergeron has been working in animal health surveillance at the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food since 2006. He is currently the Chief Veterinary Officer of Quebec.

Donald joined AAFC, and the federal public service, in 2008 and has since worked in various areas such as international trade policy, sectoral policy and sectoral development. Donald currently holds the position of Director General, Sector Development and Analysis. In this capacity he assists the agriculture and agri-Food sector in taking advantage of economic opportunities, both domestically and internationally. As such, Donald actively engages with a wide range of takeholders to advance strategic objectives in various areas related to animal health and welfare, including emergency preparedness, antimicrobial resistance.

Donald grew up on his family’s farm located in Quebec and holds a bachelor degree in agronomy as well as a master degree (sciences) both from Laval University.

Theresa Burns is the Chief Veterinarian for the province of British Columbia. Her team at the Office of the Chief Veterinarian (OCV) provides provincial leadership on animal health and welfare, and One Health. Beyond the regulatory focus, the OCV identifies animal health priorities, and delivers animal disease surveillance programming, and antimicrobial use policy analysis. Prior to coming to this role, Theresa directed the newly formed Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System (CAHSS) Division of Animal Health Canada, including leading delivery of the first governance model, strategic plan, and surveillance programming.

Theresa was raised in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. Over the years since her graduation from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, she has worked as a frontline veterinary practitioner with both food and companion animals. Between stints in practice, she completed an MSc in Theriogenology and a PhD in Epidemiology and worked as a consultant. Her experience has given her a strong working understanding of farming practices, food production systems and agricultural communities. She has an ongoing interest in collaborative, real-world solutions to complex animal and One Health challenges.

Born and raised on a dairy farm in Eastern Ontario by Dutch immigrant parents. Graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph in 1981. Involved in mixed animal rural veterinary practice in eastern Ontario from graduation to present. Professional activity has been almost exclusively large animal (primarily bovine and dairy) since 1992. Graduated from the Dairy Health Management Certificate program in 1992, a 2 year modular continuing education program. It provided comprehensive instruction in dairy cattle preventative medicine and health management (a departure from the sick cow and emergency model that was taught at veterinary school). Continues to practice part-time and provide mentorship to the veterinary team. Has been involved in veterinary affairs with a variety of organizations for many decades, including the Canadian Association of Bovine Veterinarians, Ontario Association of Bovine Practitioners, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, and Dairy Farmers of Canada.

Gabriela Guigou is a biologist and the Director of National Animal Health at the Canadian Pork Council where she works on key animal health and welfare challenges of concern to pork producers.

In her role, Gabriela collaborates with FPT governments and industry stakeholders to improve disease surveillance and disease planning, preparedness and response. She represents producers on several committees working on animal welfare and antimicrobial use and resistance.

She is a member of the ASF Executive Management Board and the Industry Chair for the Canadian Animal Feed and Health Products Engagement Committee. She is also responsible for the oversight of the Canadian Swine Health Intelligence Network (CSHIN).

Gabriela holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology and a master’s degree in sciences from Laval University. Gabriela grew up on her family farm in Uruguay but has spent all her professional career working for Canadian agriculture.

Dr. Mary Jane Ireland is the Executive Director of the Animal Health Directorate, Policy and Programs Branch at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). She is also the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) for Canada and the WOAH Delegate for Canada.

Dr. Ireland graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and a post-graduate degrees in Veterinary Immunology and Business Administration. She began her career in a mixed animal practice in eastern Ontario.

In 2002, Dr. Ireland joined the Veterinary Drugs Directorate at Health Canada and held various positions, including Director General. In 2020, Dr. Ireland joined the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as the Executive Director of the Animal Health Directorate.

As the Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Ireland leads Canada's efforts to effectively manage current and emerging disease threats in order to protect animal health and human health, and to maintain international trust in Canada's inspection and certification systems in support of market access.

As the OIE Delegate, Dr. Ireland represents Canada on the international stage, and plays an integral role in Canada's participation in the OIE standard- setting process for the development and adoption of animal health standards and guidelines. In this role Dr. Ireland works to ensure that the standards are appropriately and consistently implemented in Canada. She is also responsible for notifying the WOAH of reportable animal disease occurrences in Canada.

Dr. Marina (Nina) von Keyserlingk grew up on a beef ranch in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia and is a Professor and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Chair in Animal Welfare in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia. Her interdisciplinary approach has focused on identifying measures and ways of improving the lives of animals under our care and she is among the first in her field to combine experimental and qualitative methods when addressing animal welfare issues. She has published over 250 peer reviewed publications and has received numerous awards, including the 2018 Hans Sigrist Foundation Prize, administered by the University of Bern, Switzerland, for her outstanding achievements as an international leader working in the field of sustainable food animal production. She was also awarded the American Dairy Science Associations Extension Award in 2018 and Award for Excellence in Dairy Science in 2013. She has received the Award for outstanding contributions to the field of ruminant well-being by the World Buiatrics Association in 2016.

Katerina Kolemishevska is an accomplished policy expert with extensive experience in agricultural sustainability, international development, and rural economic diversification. As Director of Policy at the Canadian Pork Council, she leads efforts to develop and advocate for sustainable agricultural practices, working closely with farmers, industry stakeholders, and government bodies to align policies with sustainability and trade goals. Katerina has managed numerous international projects, beginning her career with InWent Capacity Building and the German Technical Cooperation, where she supported supply chain management and innovative financing in developing countries.

She has also led regional initiatives for the UN FAO, promoting family farming and sustainable agricultural practices, and worked in close partnership with the European Commission on area-based development approach and institutional development. Katerina has contributed to projects and initiatives for organizations such as the OECD, the Regional Environmental Centre, and the Committee for Eastern European Economic Relations, furthering her influence in regional economic development, trade and sustainability policy. Known for her strategic leadership and ability to build strong partnerships, Katerina continues to drive initiatives that shape the future of sustainable farming and environmental stewardship globally.

Jean-Michel represents the Dairy Processors Association of Canada where he oversees the organization’s advocacy initiatives and provides strategic advice to the President & CEO.

He has over 20 years of experience advocating for manufacturers and processors as a consultant lobbyist and an industry association executive. His experience includes leadership roles in national associations and public affairs consulting firms. Throughout his career, he established himself as a credible advocate, spokesperson, and policy expert on key industry issues and was frequently called to advise governments, appear in the media and testify before Parliamentary Committees.

Jean-Michel holds an MBA from HEC Montreal and a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from McGill University. He is the Past Chair of the Board of Directors of RESULTS Canada and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his public service.

Ryder leads the Canadian Cattle Association’s (CCA) operations as General Manager. Ryder worked for the CCA in Ottawa from 2005 to 2015, where he was responsible for advancing federal and provincial files as the Domestic Agriculture committee’s staff lead. He also worked on animal care issues leading him to become chair of the National Farm Animal Care Council from 2014 to 2022. From 2015 to 2022, Ryder was the CEO of the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association, where he worked on many similar files to CCA with a provincial focus. Prior to CCA, Ryder worked for Dow AgroSciences. Ryder’s brother runs the ranch in southern Saskatchewan where he spent his early years. His career has seen him working and living in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. He brings the experience he gained during his time at CCA, along with the wider exposure he received to agriculture in previous roles, to his everyday work for beef cattle producers.

Nicole Wanamaker has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from the Atlantic Veterinary College.

 Nicole has been a field veterinarian for the last 20 years in the New Brunswick Provincial Veterinary Service.  She has served producers, small ruminant clients and horse owners as well as attending Guernsey and Holstein cattle and other livestock on her own dairy farm.

 Now, as manager of the NB Provincial Veterinary Service, Nicole leads a team of 19 field veterinarians to serve producers and clients all across NB.   In this position she has also become the Chief Veterinary Officer for New Brunswick.

 Nicole represents New Brunswick on several committees such as the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance Network (CAHSN), the Veterinary Epidemiology Surveillance Network (VESN), The Chief Council of Veterinary Officers (CCVO), The Federal-Provincial Animal Welfare group (FPAW), and the Atlantic Canada Animal Health Surveillance Network.

 Nicole is enthusiastic,  eager and committed to serving her province and the animals and clients that she interacts with.