Board Members

CHAIR

Marcel has seen the importance of farmer wellbeing at the farm and family level through his experiences as a former hog farmer involved with Manitoba Pork, Keystone Ag Producers, and the past Executive Director of the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association. His passion for agriculture runs deep and he is proud to support farmers by co-founding the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program and serving as its chair.

VICE CHAIR

Roberta is a lifelong connector of people and builder of resources that benefit others, whether that be in her own farm family, rural community, agriculture industry or on an international level. Life experiences as an agriculture lender, past Executive Director of Canadian Advocates for the Adoption of Children, Manager of Member Relations with the Manitoba Canola Growers Association and now as a full time farmer combine to bring a passion for building wellness within our own circles of community.

DIRECTOR

Dr Hagen completed a PhD in the department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, with her research aimed at bettering our understanding of mental health among Canadian farmers. Briana is passionate about using collaborative approaches to research to build strong partnerships with the agriculture community and to design and implement evidence-based mental health programming for Canadian farmers.

DIRECTOR

Donna is a self proclaimed average farm wife, able to drive a tractor if she is the only one left to do it. Her own struggles with mental health have led her to get involved in this organization to help destigmatize mental health in the farming community.

DIRECTOR

TREASURER

Cassidy grew up on her family cattle farm and discovered a love for the industry that led to her career as an Agriculture Lender, she thrives off of new experiences and connecting with people. She has a strong passion for agriculture and is excited to help farmers and their families receive the support they need to continue to feed the world.

Amelia has worked in Health Care, in a Social Work capacity for the last 18 yrs, with a deep commitment to rural health. Within that work, she has facilitated and advocated for increased access to health and wellness within primarily farming communities. She is looking forward to furthering this work as a director with MFWP. She and her husband operate a mixed farm, along the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border.

Andrew DeRuyck farms 2,700 acres near Mariapolis, Manitoba, with his family. A University of Manitoba agriculture graduate, he previously worked with FCC and CIBC before farming and consulting full-time in 2001. Andrew and Tanis were named Manitoba’s Outstanding Young Farmers in 2011. Andrew earned his Mediator’s Certificate in 2008 and mediates farm divorces and creditor relations. He has served on the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation board and currently sits on the Manitoba Farm Products Marketing Council.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBER

Gerry, AKA the Recovering Farmer, comes from a diverse background of experience, learning and discovery through farming and then as a stress and conflict management specialist. Gerry’s passion is in helping others find solutions for the various issues that life throws at us. A combination of his own journey with anxiety and depression, training in conflict resolution and intensive counseling training provide him the tools to help others who are struggling.