Hendricks named Farm Credit Canada President and CEO

Posted on 21 December 2022 by Prairie Post

Contributed

On Dec. 21 the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced that Justine Hendricks has been named the next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Farm Credit Canada (FCC). Hendricks joins FCC from Export Development Canada (EDC), where she currently holds the position of Chief Corporate Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice-President, Sustainable Business and Enablement.

“Justine has significant experience in the financial industry and in leading teams that serve exporters and investors in a wide range of sectors, including agriculture,” said FCC Board Chairperson Jane Halford. “Her diverse leadership background and fluency in both official languages make her an ideal fit for FCC. Over the years, Justine has focused on innovating EDC’s products and services, including elevating sustainability.”

Hendricks is looking forward to the new role and sees great opportunity for the agriculture and food industry to support economic transition in Canada and across the globe.

“During my time with EDC, I have worked with various sectors from an export perspective on how we can grow and strengthen the Canadian economy,” said Hendricks. “Agriculture is an area of great importance to our economy, and the industry plays a global role in food security. The Canadian food system is well-recognized around the world for its contributions, and we have an opportunity to do even more. I was attracted to FCC because of the opportunity to be part of the future of the Canadian agriculture and food sector.”

As CEO, Hendricks will drive forward the corporation’s mandate of supporting the sector by providing financial and advisory services, expanding access to capital and enhancing its products and services.

Since 2019, Justine Hendricks has held the position of Export Development Canada’s (EDC) Senior Vice-President and Chief Corporate Sustainability Officer, Sustainable Business and Enablement and sat on the executive committee. Her mandate was to align EDC’s focus on the core pillar of their 10-year strategy, by ensuring that EDC continued to be a leader for Canada and its customers on environment, social and governance principles, which included integrating sustainable business principles and practices for the environment, human rights and social well-being into each of EDC’s business lines. Hendricks was also responsible for the design and execution of EDC’s Net Zero 2050 strategy.

Hendricks joined EDC in 2006 and has held a variety of positions including Vice-President, Working Capital Solutions for Canadian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. In addition, she oversaw the transformation program of the Financing and Investment Group and led various teams serving small businesses and investors in a wide range of sectors, including agriculture.

Hendricks earned an MBA from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Carleton University. She also holds the Certified Financial Planner designation. In 2007, she received EDC’s Excellence in Team Leadership Award and in 2009, she received the Top 40 Under 40 Award. She has been a member of the Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) since January 2019, and was appointed President in June 2021. DOT is a youth-led, non-profit movement that supports youth to become innovators and leaders, and to create and apply digital solutions that have a positive impact in their communities. From 2014-2019 she served as Chair of the Forum for Young Canadians, a foundation that provides young people with direct access to the minds, procedures and energy of Parliament Hill. In 2020, she became a member of the University of Ottawa Board of Governors and currently sits on their audit committee.

In 2017, Hendricks was awarded the Telfer School of Management’s Trudeau Medal, the highest honour bestowed on alumni for their leadership, initiative and contribution to the business world, the community and their alma mater.

Quick facts

• Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has a loan portfolio of more than $44 billion and is Canada’s largest provider of business and financial services to producers, agribusinesses and agri-food operations, with almost 102,000 customers serviced by 102 locations across the country.

• The Crown Corporation provides flexible, competitively priced financing, management software, information, and knowledge specifically designed for the agriculture and food industries.

• The FCC CEO is appointed by the Governor in Council upon the recommendation of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.