CFO Welcomes New CEO, Denise Hockaday

BURLINGTON, ON – The Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the recent appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Denise Hockaday will be joining CFO on August 30, 2021 as the  Board’s permanent CEO.

Denise will act as chief advisor to the Board, represent CFO provincially and nationally, and provide strategic leadership for the organization, our farmer-members, staff team and stakeholders.
  
Denise is bringing a wealth of experience to CFO. Most recently, Denise held executive positions with Bayer and Monsanto where she established and led the Climate Corporation in Canada, she managed the company’s seed business of corn, canola and soybeans, and she held additional national leadership roles within the organization.

Denise brings nearly two decades of vast agricultural experience along with expertise in launching new innovations that have helped transform the agricultural industry.

Involved in ag industry and education programs, Denise has served as a designate for Soy Canada, is past president of the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association, Ontario Chapter and has participated in the University of Guelph MBA program as an industry resource. Most recently, Denise was appointed to the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario.

Denise is a University of Guelph graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, focused on Marketing and Agribusiness.

She grew up on a dairy farm in eastern Ontario and currently lives with her family near Guelph, where she is an active volunteer in her community.

Please join us in welcoming Denise to the CFO team and the Ontario chicken industry!

In addition, the CFO Board and staff would like to extend significant thanks to Mike Nailor, who has been leading the organization for the last five months as Interim CEO. Mike’s outstanding leadership has ensured strategic business continuity throughout this transitional period.