After announcing its official launch in May, the newly-formed Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) announced this week that food innovation expert Dana McCauley has joined the network’s leadership team as Chief Experience Officer.

As the former Director of New Venture Creation at the University of Guelph and the president of the SIAL Canada Innovation Award jury, McCauley has had her finger on the pulse of Canadian food innovation for years, and expects to make an immediate impact when the CFIN’s programs and services become available this fall.

The CFIN was created to support collaborative innovation and growth for Canadian-based food organizations through the discovery of trends, insights, and practices that aim to accelerate new product development and technology adoption in Canada.

"One of my first priorities as CXO of the Canadian Food Innovation Network will be to create communication structures that clearly identify the most urgent problems holding Canadian food industry leaders back from succeeding,” McCauley explains. “With that information the CFIN team will be able to offer programs that unite the correct problem solvers and resources required to open new opportunities along the food value chain. I can't wait to apply my innovation experience to helping the Canadian food sector to flourish!"

Joining McCauley on the leadership team are financial expert Melanie DiReto (CFO) and former McCain Foods Director of Innovation and Research Joseph Lake (CEO), whose diverse range of experience includes marine biology, brewing science, and analytical services. 

"I am honoured and excited that I will be working with Dana McCauley and Melanie DiReto to advance Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing industry and enable collaborations across Canada’s food ecosystem as well as globally,” said Lake.

The CFIN expects to start rolling out its programs and services in September, which will be available to organizations of all sizes across Canada’s food ecosystem. Interested parties in Canada and abroad can stay up-to-date on the CFIN’s progress and future plans by subscribing to its newsletter.