About

Karen Proud joined Fertilizer Canada in April 2021, after more than two decades of senior management roles in both the public and private sectors.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s of Applied Science from Ryerson University in 1997, Karen began a nine-year career with Health Canada taking on increasingly senior-level roles in the areas of policy and legislative affairs. In 2006, Karen left the public service to pursue opportunities in the private sector. Her most recent roles, prior to joining Fertilizer Canada, were that of: Chief Operating Officer for Food, Health and Consumer Products Canada, President of Consumer Health Products Canada and Vice President of Federal Government Affairs for the Retail Council of Canada.

Karen is a past board member of the World Self-Medication Industry Association, Labour Watch, as well as the Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education.

Clyde Graham is the Executive Vice-President of Fertilizer Canada in Ottawa, where he promotes the interests of the fertilizer industry with politicians and government officials. Clyde has been instrumental in the adoption of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship system – the Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place® – at the federal and provincial levels. Clyde was also involved in negotiating the adoption of the Nitrous Oxide Emission Reduction Protocol (NERP) in Alberta. He is a member of the technical and management committees of the North American 4R Research Fund. As a member of the Soil Conservation Council of Canada board of directors and the Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions Expert Advisory Committee, Clyde supports farm practices that are both economically and environmentally sustainable. Clyde has worked in Ottawa since 1987, as a Canadian Press news reporter on Parliament Hill, a lobbyist for Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and as a consultant for corporations and national associations. He grew up on a grain farm near Regina, Saskatchewan.

Claudia is the Chief Financial Officer at Fertilizer Canada. Claudia joined the organization after finishing the bookkeeping program at Algonquin College and completing a volunteer accounting position with In-TAC as part of OCCSC program.

Prior to living in Canada, Claudia worked for 11 years in the accounting department at Transportes Sanchez Polo S.A., a large transportation company in Colombia. Claudia has a BA from the Autonoma University in Barranquilla-Colombia. Claudia is actively pursuing the CPA Ontario certification.

Kim Devison is a seasoned Director with more than 15 years’ experience. Prior to joining Fertilizer Canada in 2013, Kim lived in Bermuda for six years where she worked for EY in audit and supported six Partners across three countries. Kim holds a B.A. from Carleton University.

Cassandra Cotton is the Vice President of Policy & Programs at Fertilizer Canada where she is responsible for building a robust program and policy platform that forms the foundation for the organization’s advocacy work.

Specifically, she directs the development and delivery of a number of wide-ranging issues including safety and security, 4R Nutrient Stewardship, climate policy, product regulation, and transportation through engagement with industry members, stakeholders and government agencies. Proactively developing sound policy related to these complex issues helps create the business climate necessary for member success.

As a member of the Soil Conservation Council of Canada board of directors, the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops, and Field to Market Canada, Cassandra supports farm practices that are both economically and environmentally sustainable.

Cassandra received a bachelor’s degree at St. Francis Xavier University and completed her post-graduate degree in Public Relations at Humber College. Originally from Prince Edward Island, Cassandra has worked in Ottawa for over a decade with multiple organizations including United Way Ottawa and the Public Health Agency of Canada before joining the team at Fertilizer Canada in September 2012.

Catherine King is Vice President of Communications and Stakeholder Relations for Fertilizer Canada where she is responsible for the strategic communications and government relations for the association. Working to ensure the Federal and Provincial governments, stakeholders and media understand the essential role that the fertilizer industry plays in both Canadian and global agriculture.

Since joining Fertilizer Canada, Catherine has developed and executed campaigns on a variety of programs and initiatives, which have helped her to develop a strong understanding of the industry and its priorities.

Originally from Nova Scotia, Catherine attended McGill University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Canadian History. While attending McGill, Catherine worked at Ogilvy Renault in the Patent and Trademark Department. In 2006, Catherine completed her post-graduate degree in Corporate Communications at Seneca College, graduating with honours. Catherine worked for a Public Relations agency in Toronto prior to joining Fertilizer Canada.

As Director of Policy and Industry Standards at Fertilizer Canada, Nadine Frost works to consolidate and address regulatory issues and shape government policy relevant to the fertilizer industry. Within this role, Nadine provides leadership on the anhydrous ammonia file, addressing regulatory issues and promoting safety and security through the Anhydrous Ammonia Code of Practice. Additionally, Nadine works to advance the fertilizer products sector and advocate for fair and science-based regulatory oversight.

Following her BSc. (Honours) in Toxicology from the University of Guelph, Nadine completed her MSc. in Chemistry from Carleton University (2015). Her research was focused on the use of synthetic DNA aptamers as recognition elements in biosensors to detect harmful agricultural mycotoxins in the field. Nadine joined Fertilizer Canada in 2015 as an ECO Canada intern, and is actively pursuing her Environmental Professional (EP) certification through ECO Canada.

McKenzie Smith is Director of Stewardship & Regulatory Affairs at Fertilizer Canada where she is responsible for the development of policy and programs related sustainable nutrient management and environmental stewardship.

In this role, McKenzie works to promote and advance the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program which allows our industry to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable nutrient management. Specifically, she directs the development and expansion of Fertilizer Canada’s 4R Designation and 4R Certification programs and provides leadership on a number of files including the 4R Research Network and Fertilizer Use Survey. McKenzie continues to build upon key national and regional partnerships to ensure an increase in the awareness and adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship by Canadian growers and sustainability platforms.

Additionally, McKenzie provides technical assistance and advocacy support on environmental regulations related to greenhouse gas or air pollutants. This work helps shape polices that allow our member’s to demonstrate good environmental performance while maintaining competitiveness in a global market.

McKenzie completed her B.Sc. in Chemistry (2014) and M.Sc. in Chemistry (2017) at Carleton University, where her research focused on the development of nanoparticle-based DNA aptamer selection methods to improve biosensor detection of harmful agricultural mycotoxins in field.

Kayla is a communications profession who thrives in a fast-paced environment. She comes from spark*advocacy, a boutique communications agency specializing in public affairs. At spark* she led the digital and media targeting team responsible for crafting and delivering messages to the right audiences across earned, owned, shared, and paid media channels. She worked on a wide range of files including agriculture, natural resources, defense, health, and telecommunications.

Before that, Kayla worked in public affairs at the Canadian Automobile Association where she managed advocacy campaigns on a variety of topics, including distracted driving, electric vehicles, and cannabis-impaired driving. She represented the organization as a national spokesperson through earned media efforts as well as managed their digital presence, social media channels, and website redesign and maintenance.

Kayla is also a part-time instructor at Algonquin College, teaching a public relations writing and strategy course.

Allison Watcher is an experienced event coordinator. Prior to joining Fertilizer Canada as the Manager of Membership Engagement and Events, Allison worked as an Event & Communications Coordinator in Ottawa. Allison recently returned to Canada 2.5 years ago, as she worked internationally for over 10 years in Florida, Bahamas, the Caribbean and 8 years in the Netherlands, making her bilingual in Dutch.

Kelsey Hill is the Agronomy Advisor at Fertilizer Canada, where she is responsible for supporting the continued development and implementation of 4R Nutrient Stewardship initiatives and programs across Canada.

In her role, Kelsey works to support and promote the 4R’s of Nutrient Stewardship in Canada. She supports the Policy and Programs team through coordinating the 4R Designation and Certification programs. She provides support on Provincial working groups and the Fertilizer Use Survey.

Kelsey grew up on her family’s dairy, beef, and cash crop farm in the Ottawa Valley, where her passion for agriculture started. She holds a Bachelor of Agriculture Science with a major in Crop, Horticulture, and Turfgrass Science from the University of Guelph (2019) and is a Certified Crop Adviser.

In her role as Policy Analyst, Katherine is responsible for supporting the development, advocacy, and management of Fertilizer Canada’s policy and programs activities on issues affecting our members. This includes providing support in developing Fertilizer Canada’s official positions on various policy areas, assisting in initiatives to engage with federal and provincial government departments, and the development and delivery of public policy advocacy and Fertilizer Canada programming in collaboration with Fertilizer Canada members and staff.

Katherine graduated with a B.A. (Honours) in Political Science (2019) from the University of Windsor and recently completed an M.A. in Political Science (2021) from the University of Western Ontario.

Labonya Nirjan is the 4R Solution Project Coordinator assisting in the planning, development and implementation of the administration, advocacy and communications related to the 4R Solution project strategy.

Labonya was a trainee with the Environmental Immigrant Bridging Program of ECO Canada, which assist internationally trained individuals, with skills and experience that align with the Canadian environmental sector. Labonya received the prestigious Endeavour Postgraduate Award from the Australian Government for her Masters in Environment with a major in Development from the University of Melbourne.

She has lived, travelled, worked and volunteered in 10 different countries and is now settled in Canada since 2017. She has worked in number of International NGOs at the field level and worked closely with the community. Her main area of work was in disaster mitigation and preparedness; and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. However, she has also volunteered in Ghana, West Africa where she worked with children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Before joining Fertilizer Canada, Labonya was working with a Vancouver based not for profit organization that works in empowering newcomers to Canada.

Tram has joined Fertilizer Canada, taking on the role of Accounting Assistant. Tram obtained her Bachelor of Economics in Accounting and Finance at The Economics University of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam prior to moving to Ottawa. She also received her bookkeeping certificate at Algonquin College in Ottawa.

Having worked for H&R Block for numerous years, Tram has extensive experience in personal income tax preparation.
Prior to her joining Fertilizer Canada, Tram has worked for the Ontario Lottery Corporation and The Hard Rock Casino Ottawa, excelling in casino accounting practices.

As a highly motivated, well organized professional, Tram is excited to contribute her skills to Fertilizer Canada.