Growing up in Northern Maine, I was always well aware of the importance of potato farming to our local economy. Starting at a young age, people in my hometown learn a real appreciation for agriculture and it was a natural fit for me, going to work for McCain Foods. The opportunities to hone your skills within a variety of agriculture-related areas are plenty, and involvement in the industry is encouraged. In my most recent role, as a Digital Manager for Global Agriculture, I was fortunate (pre-pandemic) to travel abroad and work with a cross-functional global team on a set of agricultural digital initiatives, so that we can position McCain Foods for the future.
At McCain, I have been fortunate to progress my career under great managers. This started right at the field department, where I was able to participate in agriculture industry/McCain educational events and also lead grower facing self-managed projects. Working in the digital space, again I had a supportive leader who gave me space to manage the project team, but was always there with thoughtful recommendations when a roadblock occurred.
In my new role as the Director of Agriculture, I am coming back to the North American business, and am excited about the opportunities for continued growth.