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About CANZA
A New Multi-Stakeholder initiative to innovate and decarbonize Canada’s Agri-food System
Context, Vision, and Mission
Annual emissions from Canada’s agri-food system are estimated to be in the range of 150 mega tonnes in 2023; and by 2050 this is projected to rise towards 200Mt – or 19% of Canada’s total emissions. The Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food (CANZA) is therefore being established with a vision to foster innovation in Canada’s agri-food system to reduce emissions by 150 Mt, by 2050 (with an interim of a 50 metric tons reduction by 2030). Its mission is to provide thought leadership and a collaborative platform to help harness the ingenuity, entrepreneurship, and resources of this complex but critical ecosystem to accelerate the development, testing and scaling of new technologies and practices across Canada. CANZA will initially focus on advancing climate smart agriculture and a national biodigester network (further details to be shared with interested candidates). It will support this work through research, policy development, and forging action-oriented coalitions that will collectively help catalyze public and private investment in new technologies, new ventures and pilot projects, critical infrastructure, and in financial mechanisms required to enable and incentivize significant behaviour change and systems
innovation.
Committed Founders & Partners
CANZA was co-founded in 2023 by a diverse group of leading organizations who are deeply committed to taking action – and leveraging their extensive networks and value-chain partners – to achieve the above-stated vision. As this is an innovation and action focused initiative, these Founding Partners recognize the importance of drawing on the expertise and energy of others, and are therefore committed to an open and inclusive approach that actively engages a much broader spectrum of actors across the agri-food value chain including farmers, food producers, retailers, financial institutions, policymakers, scientists, academics and others. Key industry partners who have provided critical financial and in-kind support to get CANZA started include Loblaw Companies Ltd, Maple Leaf Foods, McCain Foods, Nutrien, Royal Bank of Canada, and the Boston Consulting Group. CANZA is supported by a secretariat of professional staff who operate as part of a strategic partnership between The Natural Step Canada (TNS) and the Smart Prosperity Institute (SPI). In addition to CANZA, the TNS-SPI partnership operates a synergistic network that includes a global academic research network, a policy think tank, and a number of inter-related solution-focused initiatives including the Energy Futures Lab, the Canada Plastics Pact, Circular Economy Leadership Canada, PLACE Center and a soon-to-be launched Nature Investment Hub. Collectively, these initiatives are working towards a shared vision of ‘a strong and inclusive economy that thrives within nature’s limits.’ Further context around the TNS-SPI Partnership and its priority initiatives is available here.
Given their deep expertise in the agri-food space, TNS, SPI and the Founding Partners of CANZA are working in close collaboration with the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute. CANZA appreciates that there are several active alliances/initiatives/associations working towards
sustainable Agri-tech and will continue to seek to collaborate, learn from, and build upon existing efforts underway in Canada (and internationally).
The Opportunity
To lead CANZA on its ambitious mission, we are seeking a bold, innovative, strategic, and purpose-driven
leader for the role of inaugural Managing Director. In this new and exciting position, you will have the opportunity to shape CANZA into a vital and central driver of net-zero agri-food outcomes. You will provide strategic leadership to CANZA in close collaboration with the Founding Partners. Leading all aspects of strategy and operations, you will help bring different voices together, engaging stakeholders and identifying new opportunities. This pivotal position will have the opportunity to manage and build a team of innovative thinkers who will help drive
our transition to net-zero agri-food in Canada, and thus have a significant positive impact on our country – both environmentally and economically.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Operations
▪ Advance overall strategy and create a strategic roadmap for CANZA in collaboration with Founding Partners
▪ Formulate, review, and communicate key objectives, targets, and milestones to both the Operating Committee and Executive Committee
▪ Build, lead and inspire a small, high-performing team of professionals, providing clear direction, and aligning individual objectives with CANZA’s mission
▪ Oversee the day-to-day operations of CANZA, including budget management, and managing resource sharing with key stakeholders and partners – including resources across the TNS-SPI organization.
▪ Serve as a member of the management team of The Natural Step Canada, and in this role work with other leaders across the TNS-SPI partnership to identify efficiencies, synergies and opportunities to amplify the impact of CANZA and the other initiatives.
Stakeholder Engagement & Resource Development
▪ Develop and maintain trusting relationships with relevant stakeholders including but not limited
to industry leaders, farmer organizations and associations, NGOs, government officials, research institutions, technology partners, industry alliances, and international NGOs outside Canada
▪ Foster cross-functional collaboration and dialogue between stakeholders and across the industry to build alignment towards – and delivery of – CANZA’s vision and mission
▪ Identify and secure strategic partners capable of supporting CANZA’s mission with expertise, in- kind support, and financial contributions
▪ Find appropriate and helpful ways to engage indigenous communities and other key constituents across Canada’s food system.
Systems Change & Project Oversight
▪ With project management support, oversee the development, management, implementation, and performance evaluation of CANZA projects that will help to drive systems change
▪ Work closely with senior-level stakeholders to identify change impacts & interventions if needed
▪ Implement sound project management practices as it relates to scope, schedule, quality, and project budgeting
Communication
▪ Help build a public profile for CANZA, its partners and projects – by ensuring an effective marketing and communications strategy and plan that engages the farming community, industry stakeholders, and policy makers
▪ Serve as a spokesperson and liaison, publicly advocating for CANZA’s mission in highly visible
spaces such as conferences and media events (domestically and internationally)
▪ Raise awareness and drive engagement by effectively communicating the benefits and
importance of transitioning to a net-zero agri-food system
Candidate Profile
Are you a bold, strategic leader with a deep understanding and credibility in Canada’s agricultural, agri- food and/or agtech sectors? Do you bring an understanding of the complexities of driving systemic change involving industry, government, NGOs, consumers, and others? Will you represent CANZA with the credibility, creativity and intellectual gravitas that will be required? If so, you will be able to deploy and leverage all of these skills in this high-impact role.
Motivation & Values
A passion for sustainability, environmental stewardship, and a strong commitment to advancing net-zero goals in the agri-food sector will all be essential to success in this role – and it’s a purpose-driven leader that we seek. However, an ‘us and them’ mentality will not work here; to be effective, you will bring an open-minded attitude and approach, and recognize that real systemic change can only happen with the willing participation of the private, public and NGO sectors.
Specific Knowledge & Experience
Essential
▪ Expertise and credibility relating to Canadian agriculture, agri-food or ag-tech sector is a pre- requisite for this role
▪ Core understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the move toward a net-zero agri-food sector
▪ Experience collaborating with senior executives while in a leadership role
▪ Involvement in systems change initiatives
▪ Brings deep expertise from either private or non-profit/public sector, with proven ability to engage across these lines, bringing an understanding of the special pressures and challenges faced by each to effect meaningful organizational change, and the predominant culture/language deployed (needs to build trust and credibility across both these sectors)
▪ Built, mentored, and led engaged teams; held budgetary and operational responsibilities
▪ Proven track record of stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and consensus-building across diverse groups – resulting in impactful change
▪ Direct experience in the Canada landscape
To Learn More or Apply
The Natural Step Canada has entrusted Elaine Grotefeld at Latitude Cleantech Search to help them recruit for this important role. Please contact Elaine directly and in confidence to express your interest, ask any questions and learn more. You can reach contact Elaine directly through LinkedIn, or email to [email protected]. Please use ‘CANZA MD’ in the subject line. Elaine and Latitude commit to engaging with you in a respectful and transparent manner, and to respecting your confidentiality throughout this process. CANZA and Latitude are committed to ensuring a fair, open, and accessible process for this search. The Natural Step Canada embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. They are passionate about their people and committed to employment equity. While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we
welcome applications from Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQIA2S+ persons.
Thank you for considering this impactful and exciting opportunity.
