About GGC
Leadership
Board of Directors
Our board members represent and promote the hard work of Canadian grain farmers. Embodying our country’s varied agricultural landscape, they have an array of experience and are dedicated representatives of Canada’s grains sector.
Scott Hepworth, Chair
Farm Location: Saskatchewan
Sally Parsonage, 1st Vice Chair
Farm Location: Manitoba
Daryl Fransoo, 2nd Vice Chair
Farm Location: Saskatchewan
Maurice Berry, Director
Farm Location: Saskatchewan
Bob Lepischak, Director
Farm Location: Manitoba
Sylvain Leroux, Director
Farm Location: Quebec
Devin Hartzler Director
Farm Location: Alberta
Peter Konstapel, Director
Farm Location: Alberta
John Preun, Director
Farm Location: Manitoba
Patricia Lung, Director
Farm Location: Saskatchewan
Gerrid Gust, Director
Farm Location: Saskatchewan
Jeff Harrison, Director
Farm Location: Ontario
Roger Chevraux, Director
Farm Location: Alberta
Neil Campbell, Director
Location: Prince Edward Island
Staff
GGC staff bring decades of combined experience across government, industry, and communications, shaping how GGC works on behalf of Canada’s grain farmers from Ottawa and across the country. Read about their backgrounds below.
Bruce R. Burrows Executive Director
Bruce Burrows is a seasoned transportation, infrastructure and association leader with four decades of business experience, having held progressively senior positions at Canadian Pacific in Canada and Europe, the Railway Association of Canada, Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs, and most recently the Chamber of Marine Commerce in Ottawa.
Throughout his career, Mr. Burrows has led major initiatives in change management, strategic planning, legislative reform and federal government funding for capital projects. He is known as a leader with strong influencing skills and a track record of developing advocacy and operational programs that have raised organizations’ public profiles and revenues.
He brings extensive governance experience, having served on numerous boards and committees, including the Transportation Association of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Transportation and International Affairs committees, and The Vimy Foundation, where he chaired the governance committee. In 2012, he was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his work raising awareness of Canada’s victory at Vimy Ridge. He is also a Royal Canadian Geographic Society fellow.
A graduate of Upper Canada College and Queen’s University with a business degree, he is also a credited member of the Institute of Logistics and Transport. He is married to Maria Amalia Leyba Olavariertta of the Dominican Republic, and has four children.
Kate Sauser Manager, Policy
Kate is a passionate advocate for grain producers with a unique blend of firsthand farm experience and academic expertise. As Policy Manager, she works alongside members, stakeholders, and government to develop policies that support the growth and long-term viability of Canada’s grain sector.
Raised on a mixed grain and cattle farm in Saskatchewan, Kate understands the practical challenges and opportunities facing producers today. She has worked with several leading companies in the grain industry, giving her a strong appreciation for the sector’s critical role in Canada’s economy. Kate has also served on both federal and provincial political boards and has been actively involved in multiple political campaigns.
Currently, Kate is completing a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Saskatchewan, where her thesis explores the role of zero-till technology in reducing emissions and increasing carbon sequestration. This will build on her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business from the University of Saskatchewan. In her spare time, Kate also referees high-level hockey across the country.
Hana Sabah Sr. Manager, Communications
Hana is a seasoned communications expert with a deep understanding of the media landscape and a strong ability to craft stories that leave a lasting impact.
Her strategic proficiency in media dynamics has seen her work published in Canada’s leading news platforms, including The Canadian Press, The Hill Times, Globe and Mail, CBC, Global News, CTV News, and internationally with CNN World.
She is deeply dedicated to transforming organizations into recognized thought leaders in their fields, adeptly navigating media channels to amplify their voices across the country.
Prior to her role at GGC, Hana refined her skills at a leading public affairs agency, where she played a crucial role in bridging government and public relations to enact legislative changes and shape political agendas. Hana’s core communications skills were also cultivated through leading high-profile events and workshops for a not-for-profit organization, where she organized large gatherings exceeding 300 attendees and led national-level communications operations.
Hana’s journey into communications was preceded by a career in journalism. Her reporting on political affairs extended beyond Canadian borders to the Middle East, where her work was published across three countries, establishing her as a credible voice in international media.
Hana holds an Honours Bachelor of Public Affairs from Carleton University, specializing in Journalism and Communications, with a minor in English, Language and Literature. She is also fully bilingual in English and Arabic.
Alison Parejo Administrative Assistant
Alison is a highly organized administrative professional with a strong foundation in operations, governance support, and cross-team coordination. She brings exceptional coordination, communication, and attention to detail to her work, with a proven ability to manage competing priorities across internal teams and external stakeholders in a dynamic, multi-organization environment.
As an Administrative Assistant at Grain Growers of Canada, she supports the organization’s operations and governance activities, working closely with staff and leadership to provide reliable administrative support that enables teams to focus on advancing the organization’s priorities.
Prior to joining Grain Growers of Canada, Alison honed her skills as an HR and Operations Assistant at Fertilizer Canada, where she provided cross-functional support across human resources, member services, finance, and administration, managing employee records and onboarding, supporting member e-learning platforms, and helping plan the Canadian Fertilizer Products Forum.
Her client-focused foundation was built over more than three years as a Customer Service Representative with the City of Ottawa, where she handled high-volume public inquiries across phone, email, and in-person channels while maintaining confidentiality and compliance in a fast-paced, multilingual municipal environment.
Alison holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Ottawa and a graduate certificate in Human Resources Management from Algonquin College. She brings a people-centred perspective to her work and is passionate about supporting collaboration, effective governance, and organizational excellence.
Emily Tian Book Keeper
Emily is a highly skilled bookkeeper with over 10 years of experience in full-cycle accounting and financial management. She has a proven track record of supporting clients across various industries, efficiently handling complex financial data while ensuring compliance and accuracy.
As the bookkeeper for Grain Growers of Canada, Emily is responsible for all bookkeeping accountabilities including transaction management, banking reconciliation, payroll processing, and financial reporting.
Before joining GGC, Emily was the lead bookkeeper at Klug Financial and Lunan Accounting Service, where she managed accounts payable and receivable, prepared financial reports, and processed payroll for employees and subcontractors.
Emily holds a Bachelor in Economics and the Certified Professional Bookkeeper designation from CPB Canada. She is also bilingual in English and Mandarin.
Emily enjoys being involved with her local Ottawa community, volunteering and sharing her expertise with local community groups who require bookkeeping and financial management expertise.