4-H Canada announces new CEO

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

by DIANNE FETTERLY

4-H Canada has named a new chief executive officer, just in time to celebrate the rural youth organization’s centennial.

Last month, 4-H Canada announced it hired Shannon Benner. Benner formerly worked with the Tim Horton’s Foundation and Outward Bound as well as several other youth groups, both in Canada and the United States.  

Benner is currently relocating to the new position in Ottawa and was unavailable for comment at press time. However in a press release by 4-H Canada, she stated, “I am passionate about organizations that make a difference in the lives of youth, and I know that 4-H will provide the perfect opportunity to use my management expertise to see the strong tradition of 4-H grow and flourish.”

On April 22, Benner takes over the CEO position from interim CEO Roger Shier, who replaced Mike Nowosad four-and-a-half months ago, following Nowosad’s retirement after more than 20 years in the job.

According to Shier, the CEO is responsible for administering the Canadian 4-H Council as well as the 4-H Foundation, the fundraising arm of 4-H Canada.

4-H Canada focuses on youth development, and while the 4-H program traditionally appealed to rural youth with its emphasis on agriculture and homemaking, it now features a wide range of interests to appeal to all youth across the country, he said.

The CEO also oversees several other aspects of 4-H including, producing a semi-annual magazine;  sponsorship and exchange programs, both nationally and internationally; grant programs funded by government and industry; and members participation at agricultural fairs and exhibitions, Shier explained.

And what has really made the 4-H program work for the past century, is the more than 8,000 rural volunteer leaders across the country. In honour of the organization’s centennial, this year’s annual general meeting will be held in Roland, Manitoba, where 4-H began 100 years ago, he added. BF