Yaghi is FCC’s Vice President of Innovation Hub and AgExpert, a role he assumed in March 2024. Before joining FCC, he was the Agriculture and Climate Policy Lead at RBC and has experience in international agribusiness, start-up entrepreneurship, consulting, and public policy. He holds Master’s degrees in public policy from the University of Toronto and in Journalism from Columbia University.
“With my expertise in sustainability and data-driven insights, I can support LRIC’s efforts in enhancing the great story of environmental stewardship in the industry. Farmers and ranchers across the country are already leaders, they just need a better way to tell their story,” said Yaghi. “I believe LRIC plays a vital role in shaping the future of Ontario’s livestock industry. I see LRIC as a key convener of industry, academia, and government, and I want to contribute to fostering stronger partnerships that drive innovation, improve farm efficiency, and competitiveness.”
Fiorini is the Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Investment at Burnbrae Farms, Canada’s largest egg producer, and Executive Director of the Burnbrae Foundation. Her career also includes a more than two-decade tenure at Loblaw Companies Ltd., as well as roles with Cineplex, George Weston Ltd., the Children’s Water Institute, and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority. She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from York University and is a Certified Practitioner, Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility through the Chartered Management Institute.
“I am enthusiastic about the role of research and innovation in driving positive change within the livestock sector. Being part of LRIC’s board lets me support initiatives that enhance productivity, sustainability, and animal welfare,” explained Fiorini. “By identifying key research priorities and ensuring investments are made in projects that provide tangible benefits to the industry in environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and efficiency, LRIC can help drive meaningful advancements and help Ontario’s livestock industry remain competitive on a global scale.”
LRIC’s other board members include Chair Don Gordon (Dairy Farmers of Ontario Director), Vice Chair RJ Taylor (partner organization Director), Karen Sanders (Ontario Pork Director), Richard Horne (Beef Farmers of Ontario Director), Brian Miller (Poultry Industry director), Ian Ross (appointed director), and Jim White (appointed director).
University of Guelph interim President Rene Van Acker and Doug Reddick, Director of Research and Innovation at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Agribusiness serve as ex-officio board members.
Livestock Research Innovation Corporation was established in 2012 with support from Ontario’s beef, pork, dairy, and poultry sector organizations and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
LRIC’s mission is driving innovation, and the organization takes a value chain approach to research and innovation by providing leadership in research priority setting, coordination, and process; identifying and communicating emerging issues; and strengthening networks across the sector. LRIC is funded in part by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative. www.livestockresearch.ca.