Leadership
Board of Directors
Pierre Petelle
Greg Cherewyk
Dean Dias
Rick White
Wade Sobkowich
Chris Davison
Scott Jespersen
Brian Innes
Andre Harpe
Crosby Devitt
Karen Proud
Staff
Erin Gowriluk
President
Erin is a recognized leader in the Canadian agriculture industry. Her career spans over a decade with experience in government, the private sector and the non-profit industry. Her first introduction to the industry was as a Policy Research Assistant with the Government of Alberta, Agriculture and Rural Development. She is immensely grateful for the education and mentorship that she received while working for Alberta grain farmers as a Government Relations and Policy Manager with the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions. During her tenure at the Commissions, she was regarded for her ability to unite sector stakeholders and to work collaboratively with colleagues across the country and along the grain value chain. This led to a move to the nation’s capital where she worked for Syngenta Canada as Manager, Government & Industry Relations, followed a four-year term rebuilding and leading the Grain Growers of Canada as the Executive Director.
Her move to Canada Grains Council in 2022, allows her to leverage her strengths as a known collaborator and industry spokesperson both domestically and in important international forums. She is honoured to serve the sector in a variety of capacities, internationally as the Vice-Chair of the International Grain Trade Coalition and as a member of the Advisory Board for the Global Grains Geneva annual conference. In Canada Erin serves as the Chair of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops and a member of the Canadian Advisory Committee with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture.
Erin studied Policy Studies at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta and holds a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia.
Erin spent most of her adult life in Calgary. She now resides just outside of the nation’s capital in Cantley, Quebec, where she is grateful everyday for the French immersion education she received while growing up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is the proud mother of two children, her 19-year-old son Samuel who is studying architecture in Calgary and her 9 year-old daughter Severin, an aspiring ballerina, following in her mother’s footsteps.
Mac Ross
Vice President, Trade Policy and Crop Protection
Prior to joining CGC, Mac worked as the Director of Market Access and Trade Policy at Pulse Canada. During his time at Pulse Canada, he worked on behalf of growers and exporters of Canadian pulses to resolve emerging trade irritants and employ proactive and country-specific strategies for addressing trade barriers resulting from tariffs, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and the regulation of crop protection technology. He led Pulse Canada’s government relations strategies pertaining to trade and has chaired various domestic and international industry committees focused on trade policy and market access. Mac resides in Winnipeg and holds a BSc in Agribusiness from the University of Manitoba and a Certificate in Trade Negotiations from Carleton University.
Krista Thomas
Vice President, Trade Policy and Seed Innovation
Krista Thomas is the Vice President of Trade Policy and Seed Innovation with the Canada Grains Council (CGC). In this capacity Krista has led the development of policies and positions on trade issues related to biotechnology and plant breeding innovation. Krista is an active leader in international industry forums including GAABT, and the International Grain Trade Coalition, and has presented in government forums including APEC, the Global LLP Initiative, and WTO. Prior to joining the CGC Krista held various positions with the Canadian Federal Government, including with the Canada-US Regulatory Cooperation Council, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Krista holds an M.Sc. in Plant Agriculture from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada.
Sandra Filion
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Sandra Filion is a strategic communications and stakeholder relations leader with a strong background in advocacy, government relations, and industry engagement within the Canadian agriculture sector. As Vice President of Communications & Stakeholder Relations at the Canada Grains Council (CGC), she leads the organization’s communications strategy, enhances stakeholder engagement, and works to elevate CGC’s profile through media relations, industry partnerships, and government advocacy. She also manages the Canadian Crops Convention sponsorship program, fostering relationships with partners to support this flagship event.
Prior to her current role, Sandra served as Director of Operations & Stakeholder Relations at CGC, where she oversaw financial reporting, managed federal grant programs, and led the organization’s operations. Before joining CGC, she was Senior Manager, Digital Communications and Government Relations at The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), where she managed communications campaigns to advance government relation priorities. She also trained hundreds of community members and organizations on effective online communication and how to navigate federal grant opportunities.
Sandra’s experience spans both the public and private sectors, including consulting roles where she advised clients on government engagement, grant acquisition, and large-scale advocacy initiatives. Passionate about strengthening Canada’s grain industry, she is committed to fostering collaboration across the value chain and ensuring that the sector’s voice is heard in key policy discussions.
Sandra holds an Honours BA in International Development and Globalization from the University of Ottawa and resides in Leamington, Ontario.
Sonia Chamberlain
Administrative Assistant
Sonia is an experienced administrative assistant with over a decade of supporting not-for-profit organizations in several sectors. As the Administrative Assistant for Canada Grains Council, she supports the Board of Directors and staff, including coordinating event logistics, providing financial records processing and managing the office.
Prior to joining CGC, Sonia worked at the organization certifying Canadian architects, at the largest labour organization in Canada representing over 3 million workers, and at the association representing veterinarians across the country. These experiences, as well as others, have shaped her deep appreciation for membership-driven organizations.
Sonia is a long-time resident of Ottawa. She is personally passionate about several local and global issues and enjoys volunteering with charitable groups who serve the communities in the nation’s capital.
Emily Tian
Bookkeeper
Emily is a highly skilled bookkeeper with over 10 years of experience in full-cycle accounting and financial management. As the bookkeeper for Canada Grains Council, Emily is responsible for all bookkeeping accountabilities including transaction management, banking reconciliation, payroll processing, and financial reporting. Before joining CGC, Emily was the lead bookkeeper at Klug Financial and Lunan Accounting Service, where she managed accounts payable and receivable, prepared financial reports, and processed payroll for employees and subcontractors. Bilingual in English and Mandarin, Emily excels at client communication and customer service, bringing a positive, problem-solving approach to her work.
Emily holds both a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and a Certified Professional Bookkeeper designation from CPB Canada. She enjoys being involved with her local Ottawa community, volunteering and sharing her expertise with local community groups.
