Ian Potter, PhD, FCAE X
President and CEO | 905.562.0320 X757
Ian Potter is President & Chief Executive Officer of Vineland, as well as President and Chief Executive Officer of Platform Genetics, Inc.
Previous to Vineland, Ian served as Vice President, Engineering and Vice President, Business Management with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and previous to NRC as the Chief Operating Officer at Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures (AITF). During his 10 years at AITF and its predecessor, the Alberta Research Council (ARC), he held several leadership and management positions in energy, environment, greenhouse gas technology and human resources.
Dr. Potter has a successful track record in innovation and strong experience developing and collaborating with a broad network of stakeholders. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Calgary.
Darby McGrath, PhD X
Vice President | Research & Development | 905.562.0320 X623
Darby McGrath joined Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in 2013 as Research Scientist. In 2018 she was named Program Leader for Plant Responses and the Environment program, also leading Vineland’s Greening the Landscape Research Consortium.
In 2022, Darby was promoted to Vice President of Research and Development. In this leadership role, she guides the direction of Vineland’s innovation portfolio to maximize real-world impact with a team of more than 50 scientists and technicians.
Darby holds a Master’s degree and a PhD in Social and Ecological Sustainability from the University of Waterloo. She is an Adjunct Professor at Brock University and the University of Waterloo.
Aaron Morrow X
Director | Operations | 905.562.0320 x780
Aaron Morrow joined Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in 2022.
Aaron spent the first half of his career working as a Senior Director for a major Canadian bank on Bay Street in Toronto focusing on the Mutual Fund, Brokerage and Wealth Management divisions. After 17 years in Toronto, he moved his family to Niagara and took a role as an executive with a Canadian credit card company where he specialized in process improvement, project management and strategy. While working in the financial services industry, Aaron always felt a desire to give back and help and has held several Board of Director positions at local not-for-profit agencies in the developmental sector.
In 2014 , Aaron made the decision to focus his career on the not-for-profit sector and previously worked for a Niagara-based not-for-profit agency in charge of facilities and projects. He is experienced in investment planning, project management and Lean Six Sigma process improvement.
Joanne Tessier, CPA, CMA X
Controller | Accounting | 905.562.0320 X761
Joanne Tessier joined Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in 2013 and was appointed Controller in 2019.
Joanne began her career in her family’s management accounting firm and gained experience in a diverse range of businesses and industries including small proprietorships, public accounting firms, international corporations and large municipalities. She has a strong background in systems implementation, strategic planning, managerial finance and financial reporting.
Joanne is a Certified Management and Chartered Professional Accountant in Ontario and holds diplomas in Management, Municipal Administration and a certificate in Public Purchasing.
