b'LOVE OF LEARNINGDavid HansenCanterra Seeds QUALIFICATIONS AS A TOP CEO:Winnipeg, Man.1.Hes built a positive company culture: He understands that employees are Known not just for his strong, confidentthe core asset of a company and has actively worked to create a workplace handshake but also for his dedication tocharacterized by positivity, commitment and authenticity. fostering a positive culture within the2.He invests in innovation: Under Hansens leadership, Canterra Seeds has organization he leads, David Hansen hasmade significant investments in Western Canadian plant breeding, leading to been an instrumental force in propellinginnovations that have had a lasting impact on the agricultural landscape. Canterra Seeds to new heights. While3.He has an eye for strategic collaborations: His strategic mindset is evident in many CEOs exhibit a results-drivenCanterra Seeds collaboration with Frances Limagrain to form Limagrain Cereals mindset, what truly sets Hansen apart isResearch Canada. This demonstrates his ability to identify innovative opportunities his people skills, colleagues say. and work collaboratively to bring them to fruition, benefitting both the company Hansen embarked on his journeyand the broader agricultural community.with Canterra Seeds 14 years ago, and in that time, he has transformed the com-pany in ways that resonate far beyond theSEEING POTENTIAL IN bottom line. His boldness and passion have driven the organization to strive forPROTEINgreatness, leading to fruitful partnershipsLogan Skori QUALIFICATIONS ASwith both local and global entities.AgGene A TOP CEO:In fact, his global experience beganCalgary, Alta.with a six-year stint in Asia. From 20031.Hes an innovative thinker: He to 2008, he lived and worked in China,Logan Skori has emerged as a leaderrecognizes that despite regulatory where he was involved in the cottonin the biotech industry. His mission?complexities, gene editing can play industry. This experience was not just aTo address the critical need for proteina pivotal role in efficiently increasing brief visit; he and his family made Beijingproduction and availability, a challengeprotein production.their home, and Hansen traveled exten- that looms large in the face of a growing2.He takes a consumer-centric sively throughout Asia. This internationalworld population. approach: He understands the immersion fundamentally shaped hisAgGene has developed a propri- value of biotech but places equal perspective on leadership. etary technology to increase protein inimportance on understanding One of my most significant takea- a portfolio of globally important crops.the needs and concerns of end ways from my time in China was myGenome editing can be deployed toconsumers. His consumer-centric deep appreciation for culture. I quicklydisable the function of genes, which canapproach ensures that innovative realized that when operating in a foreignsuppress the accumulation of protein insolutions not only exist but also gain country with a rich history like China,the seed. When these genes are disabled,the trust of consumers and reach understanding the local culture wasthe plant can drive production and accu- those who need them.paramount, he says. Peoples ideas,mulation of protein in the seed. 3.He knows the importance of work ethic and values are deeply rootedSkoris plan is to start genome editingstrategic expansion: Skoris ability in their cultural heritage.by the end of the year and have materialsto strategically grow his team His willingness to embrace andin confined field trials by 2025 or 2026.and company reflects his keen respect these differences have set himAgGenes in-house plant transforma- business acumen. He recognizes the apart as the CEO of Canterra Seeds, ation pipeline is poised to accelerate theimportance of a well-balanced team and is proactive in expanding it to role he recently handed over to a suc- process, making these ground-breakingmeet the demands of the industry.cessor as Hansen prepares to retire atinnovations a reality sooner rather than the end of 2023. Hansen knows thatlater.what worked in China doesnt necessar- In recent years, Skoris company has ily apply in Canada, a piece of advice heshifted its focus away from canola and passes on to Canterras new CEO.towards crops like rice and chickpea. This Leaders who fail to acknowledge andmove aligns with the growing demand adapt to cultural nuances often struggle,for higher protein content in pulses. The he adds.rice project has already yielded promising Editors note: See page 40 for detailsresults, with protein increases of up to on Canterra Seeds recent CEO transition. 55%. Chickpeas, still in the early stages, hold tremendous potential.20GERMINATION.CANOVEMBER 2023'