Archived events
Food – Can we grow it? Can we afford it?
June 18, 2024 @ Vancouver, BC
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Meet the panelists
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Dr. Matthew Dahabieh, has over a decade of experience in food and agricultural biotechnology working in a variety of roles, from hands-on research and scientific discovery to start-up and growth-stage corporate development.
At Catalera, Matthew leads the company’s efforts to develop and commercialize breakthrough biological solutions for plant, home, and public health. Inspired by the question of, What if synthetic chemistry had never been invented?, Catalera develops safe, effective, and beneficial biological products, building on over a decade of experience gained at Terramera.
Prior to joining Catalera and Terramera, Matthew spent nearly four years as Chief Scientific Officer at a Vancouver-based bioengineering company, where he led R&D strategy and technical development, and was also responsible for IP management, fundraising, and business development.
Matthew completed his MSc in Genetics, and PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of British Columbia. Matthew also has formal training in business and entrepreneurship from Simon Fraser University.
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Lenore Newman is the Director of the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley where she specializes in agricultural innovation and policy. She holds a research chair in food and agriculture innovation and is a past Canada Research Chair in Food Security and the Environment. Lenore is also an emeritus member of the Royal Society of Canada's New College. Lenore consults extensively with industry in the areas of controlled environment agriculture and alternative proteins. She is the author of Speaking in Cod Tongues and the award-winning Lost Feast, and her third book, Dinner on Mars, coauthored with Dr. Evan Fraser, was published in 2022. She holds a BSc in Physics from the University of British Columbia, and a PhD in Environmental Studies from York University.
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David is a Partner in KPMG's Private Enterprise practice with a focus on agribusiness, food processing, manufacturing and not-for-profit clients. Based in the Fraser Valley, David is the National Agribusiness Leader for Canada. His clients include dairy and poultry farms, horticulture/nurseries, field crops, food processors, marketing boards, as well as other owner-managed business and not-for-profit organizations. David is a past-director of the BC Food & Beverage Association, Chilliwack Mt. Cheam Rotary Club and Chilliwack Children's Foundation and is the current President for the Chilliwack Ringette Association.
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For nearly 50 years, John Anderson’s finely-honed business instincts have left an indelible mark on a global industry, while building Oppy into a strong and successful produce marketing enterprise.
After John joined us as a warehouseman, he moved rapidly through sales and operations roles into executive level management, contributing ideas that shaped the future direction of the organization. By forging strong international relationships that assured uninterrupted supplies of preferred produce items, and channeling resources into logistics and technology, John’s efforts have set Oppy apart as a leader. And through his dedication to strategic growth and guidance of our expect the world from us culture, we’ve stayed that way.
Meanwhile, John has led numerous key industry initiatives, from streamlining international trade, to recruiting the best young talent to the produce community. His work on industry boards and committees has earned him a reputation for leadership and insight well beyond the Oppy network.
John’s contributions to the produce industry and general business community have led to numerous professional awards. In 2017, he was recognized as one of Canada's Most Admired™ CEOs by Waterstone Human Capital. In 2014, John received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce, recognized by Senator and Lieutenant Governor-elect Mike Stack as a person who has made a difference to the well-being of the people living and working in the state of Pennsylvania.
Shortly afterward, he was also honored with a BC CEO Award in the major private company category. In 2013, John was named as a Dealmaker of the Year by the BC Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth and became the first and only Canadian to be honored as The Packer’s Produce Marketer of the Year in 2012. In 2002 John was named Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in the Business to Business category, and again in 2015, not only for the food and beverage category but for the Pacific Region overall.
In recent years John was awarded both CPMA’s and BCPMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 and as a BC Business Laureates Hall of Fame honoree in 2023. John is also currently serving as IFPA’s Chair for the 2024 year.
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Born and raised in Kelowna BC, Sukhpaul Bal comes from a family that has been farming in Kelowna for over a hundred years. Currently the family is operating a vertically integrated Sweet Cherry operation, as well as being diversified into Agri-tourism with Hillcrest Farm Market, an on-farm Cafe, Market and Bed & Breakfast.
Sukhpaul has been a board member of the BC Cherry Association since 2012, and has served as President for the past 10 years. During this time the cherry industry has seen tremendous growth, and has expanded its market share overseas and within Canada. . Sukhpaul has been a trustee for the Black Mountain Irrigation District since 2019 and has recently been appointed as a director to the BC Agriculture Council as the interior horticulture representative.
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Mr. Dhillon is active in several business enterprises, most notably as President and CEO of the Richberry Group of Companies and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ocean Spray.
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