About the 4-H Canada Board of Directors
4-H Canada is governed by a national volunteer board that oversees and works alongside stakeholders to set 4-H Canada’s overarching strategic direction for the 4-H movement in Canada.
The board is elected by and is accountable to 4-H Canada’s Governing Members – individuals aged 18+ and organizations dedicated to the strategic advancement of the 4-H movement.
Meet the Directors
David Hansen
CHAIR, MANITOBA
With over 47 years in the agriculture industry (10 in grains, two in crop nutrition, and 35 in the seed and biosciences sector), and over six years of international business experience, David brings his wealth of experience to our board of directors. Outside of his work and volunteer hours, David enjoys spending time at the cottage with his wife, his two daughters and five grandchildren. Occasionally, you can find him golfing when time allows.
Robert Larsen
VICE-CHAIR, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
For over a decade, Robert, a proud Albany Centennial 4-H Club alum, has been involved in board governance within: all four levels of 4-H, his rural community, and the P.E.I. agriculture industry. As a 4-H leader, he is passionate about empowering 4-H youth to take a seat at the table to effect positive change in the world around them. Robert holds a BSc. in agricultural business and farms alongside his family on their beef cattle feedlot and agri-services operation, Norring Road Custom.
Carlie Whetter
PAST CHAIR, MANITOBA
Carlie is a proud 4-H alum of the Kenton Kraftsmen 4-H Club, currently volunteering with the Alexander 4-H Club while raising 4-H'ers of her own! Holding a BComm from the University of Manitoba, Carlie has experience in accounting, administration, managing small non-profits, and has spent the last ten years as a consultant on strategic objectives. She enjoys DIY projects like furniture refinishing, crafting and sewing, and drives anywhere to watch her kids participate in the activities they love!
Valerie Stone Grech
DIRECTOR, ONTARIO
Valerie was an active 4-H'er in Brand County, Ontario as a Youth Advisory Committee member, a 4-H representative at the 41st Agriculture Conference at the FAO, and eventually a 4-H leader, leading her hometown’s 4-H Dairy Club. Along with her bachelor’s degree, Valerie graduated from the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program, and has over 10 years of experience in the agricultural field. Outside of work she enjoys fastball, figure skating, volunteering, and playing with her two dogs!
Danielle Chu
DIRECTOR, ONTARIO
A member of 4-H Canada's Board of Directors, Danielle is based in Toronto practicing Competition/Anti-trust, Foreign Investment and International Trade Law. Danielle attended law school at the University of Alberta and practiced for many years in Calgary with a focus on the natural resources, energy, and mining sectors. Danielle first discovered 4-H during her time in Alberta, and she continues to be inspired by 4-H's values, history, community, and remarkable members and leaders!
Fawn Jackson
DIRECTOR, ONTARIO
A proud 4-H alum from Manitoba, Fawn is a leading voice in Canadian agriculture. As the Chief Sustainability Officer with Dairy Farmers of Canada, Fawn leads the research, sustainability, and on-farm programs teams. In addition to agriculture, Fawn is passionate about the environment and mentorship and is proud to currently be serving as a board member with Ducks Unlimited Canada and 4-H Canada. In her spare time, you'll find Fawn on the farm in Manitoba or on an outdoor adventure.
Shelley Jones
DIRECTOR, SASKATCHEWAN
A 4-H alum from Saskatchewan, Shelley is passionate about agriculture, youth leadership, and community engagement. In her nearly 40-year career in agriculture, she is particularly proud of her involvement in the development of Saskatchewan’s first Agriculture Awareness Strategy. She credits her passion for volunteerism and public speaking to the programming of 4-H where those values and skills were developed. In her free time, you can find Shelley playing slo-pitch, golf, and hiking.
Tyler McCann
DIRECTOR, QUEBEC
Tyler’s lifelong commitment to agriculture and food is exemplified through his career in agriculture policy, increasingly senior roles in and out of government, and as the owner-operator of a family farm business. A passionate 4-H supporter, Tyler is an alum who was part of the inaugural 4-H Canada Youth Advisory Committee. He went on to become a 4-H club leader, as well as a former director and president of 4-H Quebec.
Amy McConchie
DIRECTOR, NEW BRUNSWICK
Amy has been involved in 4-H since she was 7 years old. She participated in the Youth Advisory Committee, sat on the board as the youth representative, and has attended numerous national conferences and events. As a 4-H member, she used her experiences to complete her Bronze, Silver, and Gold Duke of Edinburgh's award challenge. Amy is currently a volunteer leader with her home club, Triangle 4-H in New Brunswick. She received a Bachelor of Applied Arts from the University of New Brunswick and currently works as a Graphic Designer. In her spare time, Amy enjoys spending time with her dog and family and working with her fiancé on building their own farm and business.
Youth Advisory Committee representatives on the Board of Directors
Kayla Emmerton
YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE TO THE BOARD
Kayla has proudly been a part of the Peel 4-H Club for 12 years. She is currently a student and actively involved with the Concurrent Education Student Association (CESA) at Queen's University. Kayla is the Director of her local agricultural society and Co-Chair of its Youth Volunteer Committee. In her spare time, Kayla loves to walk, go to concerts, curl, read and swim! Her two biggest bucket list items are seeing the northern lights and travelling to Africa.
Neleah Lavoie
YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE TO THE BOARD
Neleah has been a proud 4-H'er for 11 years with the Cavendish 4-H club in Prince Edward Island. Neleah is a three time 4-H Canada Science Fair winner and was the 2023 L.E.A.D. Science & Technology Scholarship Recipient. Neleah is currently studying Health Sciences at Queen’s University, where she is combining her two passions: science and leadership. In her spare time, Neleah enjoys running, playing soccer and travelling.