All week, we are revealing the people whom you said are redefining leadership in the seed industry.
A Management Maverick tends to break away from conventional expectations, showing creativity and originality. This trait can be especially valuable in a seed industry that requires innovation and fresh perspectives. Mavericks are usually unafraid to forge new paths or to challenge the status quo, making them pivotal in driving change and progress in their environments.
We asked our readers to nominate leaders in North America with these characteristics. Now, we’re unveiling those who go beyond the ordinary, those who champion employee well-being and inclusion, those who nurture a culture of mentorship and those who excel in talent retention and career development. In alphabetical order, these are the Top Management Mavericks of North America. Next up, the Canadian honorees.
Bryce Eger, Corteva Vice President for Seeds Research and Development
Attributes: Respectful, Transformational, Inclusive, Strategic, Inspiring.
Nominators said:
Bryce led more than 700 Canadian employees through the merger of Dow, Dupont and Pioneer, focusing on building a unique culture that blended the best from all three companies. He emphasized leadership development, role clarity, customer support, mentorship, communication and accountability. Bryce’s leadership, marked by humility, compassion, and leading by example, resulted in employee satisfaction surveys for Canadian employees being among the highest in the global company. He was instrumental in Corteva being recognized as one of Alberta’s Top Employers in 2022 after just three years as a standalone company. Bryce’s advocacy for agriculture and farmers influenced every business decision, ensuring a focus on improving the lives of Canadian farmers. Additionally, as CropLife Chair, he worked to enhance the industry for all.
Bryce positively impacts everyone around him, from employees to customers, farmers and consumers. He connects with people to help solve business challenges and provides mentorship and coaching to help them become their best selves. His calm and thoughtful approach to emotional situations leads to positive outcomes.
Bryce is a leader who listens, asks questions, encourages discussion, and fosters collaboration. He leads by example, demonstrating how a leader should act. Bryce shares the “why” behind decisions, crucial for developing future leaders. His ability to tailor his management style to the individual is rare and highly appreciated. Bryce’s leadership was instrumental at Corteva Canada and CropLife Canada, showcasing his unique approach to management.
More about Bryce:
Byrce leads innovation management and research and development strategy. His team develops and leads investment decisions for the seeds pipeline from discovery through commercialization, aiming to maximize value for customers and Corteva. Bryce joined Pioneer Hi-Bred in 2009 as National Sales Manager, Canada, and has held various roles including business director, seed production director, and president for Pioneer Hi-Bred Canada. Before his current role, he was the president of Corteva Canada. Bryce’s career began with Cargill, where he gained diverse experiences in grain and crop input retail operations, grain merchandising, sales, marketing, sales leadership, and general management. He also served on the Board of Directors for CropLife Canada for eight years, including two years as chair.
Bryce and his wife Terri have lived in 12 different communities throughout their careers. He enjoys reading, hiking, cycling and cooking for friends and family. They have two adult children: Ethan, a software engineer at TopCon Agriculture, and Emma, a research assistant at Botaneco. Bryce enjoys spending time on the “5 F’s” – Family, Friends, Food, Flora and Fauna – and adds a sixth if you include Farming.
Marissa Janssen, University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Center (CDC) Manager
Attributes: Strategic, Innovative, Inspirational, Adaptable, Dependable
Nominators said:
Marissa is a creative leader who manages her time well and leads with innovation, especially under high workloads. She is unafraid to try new things and is quick to make pivotal changes, as evidenced by her exceptional work in rebranding and promoting stakeholder relations. She swiftly identifies what works, what needs immediate change, and what can be gradually implemented. Her decisions are sound, bold and strategic. Marissa promotes excellence and camaraderie within her team.
Marissa strategically propels initiatives by creatively refining processes and boldly challenging conventions. Her ability to thrive under pressure ensures continuous progress. Marissa’s dual expertise in law and human resources has significantly enhanced CDC operations. She played a pivotal role in leading the recent rebranding and economic evaluation of CDC outputs, initiatives that have bolstered the Center’s reputation across the University, government sectors and among stakeholders, farmers and the public. Marissa’s daily presence enriches the management team with her positive energy and strong work ethic, fostering a collaborative and proactive environment.
Marissa has demonstrated exceptional strategic vision, adaptability and a focus on team growth. She quickly identified the need for a new CDC brand to drive the vision and growth strategy forward. This pivot revitalized the CDC brand, enhanced the social media strategy and transformed interactions with major stakeholders.
With no prior experience in crop development, variety license agreements, or plant breeders’ rights, Marissa swiftly acquired the necessary knowledge and now adeptly manages these activities. She champions a growth mindset, fostering a culture where strategic risks are encouraged. She empowers her team to innovate and take ownership of their work, inspiring creativity and initiative.
More about Marissa:
Marissa stands at the forefront of agricultural innovation with a robust 15-year tenure in global roles across leading multinationals and academia. Her expertise in strategic planning, collaboration, contract management, and projects has been pivotal in driving the CDC to new heights. Originally from the Netherlands, Marissa earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree of laws in international trade and investment law from the University of Amsterdam.
As a certified leadership coach, Marissa is dedicated to nurturing positive workplace dynamics and aligning operational strategies with the core values of the institution. Her ability to cultivate a high-performance culture and adapt to an ever-changing environment has been instrumental Most recently, she worked on a new economic footprint assessment report, highlighting the impact of the CDC on Western Canadian agriculture.
Carey Matthiessen, Director of Operations, Senior Analyst, 20/20 Seed Labs Inc.
Attributes: Ambitious, Passionate, Resilient, Understanding, Leader
Nominators said:
Carey is one of the best problem solvers in the industry. Her ambitious nature and relentless drive make her a standout leader. Carey’s ability to tackle complex issues head-on and find innovative solutions demonstrates her exceptional leadership skills. She is dedicated to advancing the agricultural industry through her work.
Carey creates a positive and productive work environment by managing every aspect of day-to-day activities with precision and care. She fosters a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement, ensuring that all team members feel valued and empowered. Carey’s understanding and supportive nature make her a beloved leader who inspires her team to achieve their best.
Carey sees the business as a series of moving parts, each requiring careful attention and management. She has developed tools to monitor project and analytical activities, demonstrating her innovative approach to problem-solving. By immersing herself in daily activities, Carey identifies areas for improvement and creates tools that deliver precise outcomes for the industry. Her hands-on leadership style ensures that the team is well-equipped to handle any challenges that arise.
More About Carey:
Growing up in an agricultural community, Carey always knew she wanted to work in agriculture. Carey has worked in agriculture for more than 25 years, joining 20/20 Seed Labs in 2005. Her passion for plants and nature has driven her career, allowing her to work closely with farmers and the agricultural community. Her goal is to be at the forefront of the industry, offering services that enhance production on Canadian farms. She actively researches new technologies and methodologies to provide reliable seed-quality information.
Carey lives in a small agricultural community outside of Edmonton and enjoys trail running, riding her horses, and spending time in the valley teaching her children about plants and ecology.
