Board Members

  • Marcel Hacault

    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.

  • Roberta Galbraith

    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.

  • Briana Hagen, MSc, PhD

    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.

  • Donna Odell

    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.

  • Cassidy Ross

    DIRECTOR

    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.

  • Gerry Friesen

    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.