Dan Lussier is the Director of the Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative at EMILI. The Data Initiative is a unique combination of applied research and training programs that drives collaboration across the value chain to strengthen the data governance capacity of the Canadian agri-food sector. Prior to working at EMILI, Dan worked as a policy advisor and director of policy for the Canadian federal ministers of agriculture and international trade and as a researcher in advanced manufacturing at the University of British Columbia. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Manitoba and a doctorate in engineering science from the University of Oxford.
2025
Jacqueline is Managing Director of EMILI, a Manitoba-based non-profit, working to increase the integration and adoption of intelligent technologies into the agriculture industry. She is a professional agrologist (P.Ag.) and holds degrees in agribusiness and public policy. Jacqueline is also a board director for Assiniboine Credit Union and past Chair of the Manitoba Women’s Enterprise Centre. In 2023, Jacqueline was appointed to serve on the Premier’s Business and Jobs Council in Manitoba, where she chairs the AI, Technology and Jobs committee.
Leanne Koroscil (MSc, PAg) is the Innovation Farms Manager for EMILI. Her grain farming background, coupled with 10 years of academic and industry experience in sectors across the agriculture value chain, brings a well-rounded perspective to how new and innovative technologies are shaping agriculture. In her role at EMILI, Leanne oversees the projects and activities taking place on Innovation Farms – a 5500+ acre commercial seed farm located near Grosse Isle, Manitoba – to test, validate, and demonstrate the vast potential and capabilities of digital agriculture technologies. Leanne is also a provincial councillor for Agrologists Manitoba.
Ted is capable of colouring between the lines but chooses not to. In his for-profit life Ted owns Summus Inc. and spends his days imagining how to keep people and property safe. In his not-for-profit life Ted is the Chair of the Board at the John Howard Society where he tries to repair the harm done to the community by crime and create a safer community for all. Ted is always on the lookout for new friends to drag into new adventures. His only prerequisite for being friends is: When there’s work to be done, show up.
Engrained Flour Co. is small start up flour mill attached to a 3rd generation Grain Farm in Westman. Direct Marketing was something Chris grew up with so he and Lindsay decided to try it with one of their own commodity crops Although small scale, selling flour across the country has been an exciting journey
Arron is a partner in a family beef operation near Shellmouth, MB. They specialize in management intensive grazing and producing genetics that fit that production system. They have been experimenting in direct to consumer meat options for a few years, which includes perfecting the product…. a finished animal entirely on grass. The most recent venture is a storefront business in their local community of Russell selling their product in a very unique way.
