Fireside Chats with Erin (Canada Grains Council Edition)

In this episode, Erin Gowriluk sits down with Elli Tsiforou, the newly appointed Secretary General of COPA-COGECA, to talk about the future of European agriculture. With over two decades of experience in agricultural policy and advocacy, Elli shares her vision for digital transformation, cooperative leadership, and strengthening the EU's agricultural voice. Tune in for a cross-continental conversation about challenges, opportunities, and what’s next for farmers in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

In this timely episode, Erin Gowriluk is joined by Carlo Dade, Nick McRoberts, and Tyler McCann for a dynamic roundtable on the shifting landscape of agriculture and trade. From escalating tariffs to political posturing and growing Canada-U.S. tensions, the conversation dives deep into the policies and pressures shaping the sector. Tune in for sharp insights, bold perspectives, and a behind-the-scenes look at what’s really at stake for Canadian agriculture on the global stage.

In another special International Women’s Day episode, Erin Gowriluk speaks with a leading agricultural association and industry expert with over 20 years of experience in the Africa-Middle East region. From championing sustainable agriculture to navigating complex regulatory frameworks, she shares her insights on empowering smallholder farmers, fostering cross-cultural collaboration, and advancing science-based solutions. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on the role of women in shaping the future of global agriculture and sustainable development.

In another special episode, Erin Gowriluk speaks with Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, about the evolving landscape of global agriculture and trade, including the growing tensions between the U.S. and Canada. With a career spanning leadership in global agribusiness and international markets, Jim shares insights on sustainability, market access, and the future of U.S. soy in an increasingly complex trade environment. Tune in for a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities shaping North American agriculture. 

In this special International Women's Day episode, Erin Gowriluk is joined by Tessa Ritter, Chair of the Canola Council of Canada, and Leta LaRush, Vice President of Business Management at BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions. Together, they discuss the evolving role of women in agriculture, leadership, and sustainability, as well as the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry today. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on breaking barriers, advocating for diversity, and leading with impact in agriculture.

In another special episode, Erin Gowriluk sits down with David Salmonsen, Senior Director of Governmental Affairs at the American Farm Bureau Federation, to discuss the growing tensions between the U.S. and Canada in agriculture and trade policy. With decades of experience in government and advocacy, David shares insights on cross-border trade negotiations, regulatory challenges, and the future of North American agriculture. Tune in for an in-depth look at the policies shaping the industry and what they mean for farmers on both sides of the border.

In this special episode, Erin Gowriluk speaks with Alex Dunn, President & CEO of CropLife America, about the growing tensions between the U.S. and Canada in agriculture and environmental policy. With decades of experience in government, law, and sustainability, Alex shares insights on regulatory challenges, cross-border collaboration, and the future of environmental stewardship. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on navigating complex policies in an evolving global landscape. 

Carlo Dade is one of the country’s leading voices on defending and advancing western Canadian trade interests in Canada and abroad. He leads work on development of a national trade infrastructure plan and renewal of the nation’s trade corridors. His research and advocacy are playing a critical role in the achieving better trade agreements and drawing attention to the often-neglected importance of the assets and systems critical to moving products to markets. He has a reputation for developing creative solutions to some of the major challenges facing Canadian exporters and defending Canadian interests in trade with China and the U.S.

This this episode, Erin sits down with Goldy Hyder, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Business Council of Canada (BCC), a non-profit, non-partisan organization whose membership is comprised of more than 170 chief executives and entrepreneurs of Canada’s leading and largest companies. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Open Text Corporation and has a long track record of service on behalf of several charities and non-profit organizations, including the Coalition for a Better Future and the Business + Higher Education Round table.   https://canadagrainscouncil.ca/

In this episode, Erin sits down with Teresa Babuscio, Head of Government and Industry Affairs – EMEA, Corteva Agriscience.

In this episode, Erin sits down with Manon Bombardier (PMRA).

In this episode, Erin sits down with Lloyd Day, Deputy Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

In this episode, Erin sits down with Diedrah Kelly, Executive Director of the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office, and Former Ambassador to ASEAN and Consul General in Mumbai. Don't miss this great episode covering a range of topics on her office and Indo-Pacific Agriculture!

Erin sits down with Nadia Theodore, Ambassador of Canada to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Permanent Representative of Canada to the Permanent Mission of Canada in Geneva, Switzerland. The discussion covers the relationship between Canada and the EU, the WTO’s work on environmental issues, and Canada’s role in the global food system. Don’t miss this discussion on the complexities of the global food system! 

In this episode, Erin sits down with Mary Ellen Smith, the Deputy Administrator of Foreign Affairs for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Join them as they dive deep into a variety of topics, tapping into Mary Ellen’s extensive experience in Moscow, The Hague, and Brussels. Together, they break down the complexities of the agricultural sector, offering insights into both domestic and foreign markets and trade policy initiatives. Tune in for what is sure to be an enlightening discussion.

For our French-speaking audience, don’t miss out on Erin’s engaging discussion with Christiane Lambert, the President, COPA. Tune in as they explore the world of farming innovation in an enlightening conversation conducted entirely in French. 

Join Erin for a special two-part mini-series on plant breeding innovation in the European Union. In this first episode, Erin sits down with Lennart Nilsson, a cereal farmer and Vice-Chairman of the Cereals Working Party, COPA-COGECA. Lennart shares his expertise and experiences, shedding light on why farmers across the EU are embracing and championing plant breeding innovation. For our French-speaking audience, don’t miss out on Erin’s engaging discussion with Christiane Lambert, the President, COPA. Tune in as they explore the world of farming innovation in an enlightening conversation conducted entirely in French. 

This month, Erin is joined by Emily Rees, President and CEO of CropLife International. In this episode, they delve into the international landscape of agriculture and discuss opportunities for Canada to lead the industry. Tune in for an insightful and engaging conversation.