Photo credit – Diana Martin/Farmtario
The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) has appointed Julie Henderson to the newly-created position of General Manager. Henderson, who previously served as OSCIA’s Interim Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, will act as the primary link between OSCIA’s senior leadership team and its Board of Directors.
Henderson’s appointment is part of a broader review and restructuring process designed to strengthen collaboration, improve transparency and support effective decision-making across OSCIA.
This new structure moves OSCIA away from its previous model—an Executive Director supported by
departmental Directors—to a more collaborative leadership approach that improves coordination and
responsiveness across the organization.
Operational and strategic decisions will be guided by a Senior Leadership Team, consisting of Henderson and four department Directors:
• Director of IT and Shared Services – Gabriella Visontai Perry
• Director of Member Services and Business Development – Nicole Mackellar
• Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer – Kimberley Cathline
• Director of Programs – Recruitment underway
OSCIA is pleased to formally welcome Kimberley Cathline to the team. As Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer, Cathline brings more than 20 years of experience in the agricultural research environment and over a decade of progressive leadership in research program management, policy
development and organizational governance.
She has held senior roles at Niagara College’s Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation
Centre (HESIC) and Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, as well as positions with the University of California, Davis, the University of Guelph and the National Research Council of Canada. Cathline holds a Master of Science in biological sciences from Brock University specializing
OSCIA Announces New General Manager and Collaborative Leadership Model in plant science, oenology and viticulture, and an Honours Bachelor of Science in plant biology from the University of Guelph.
“We are thrilled to welcome Julie into the role of General Manager and Kimberley into her new leadership position,” says Andy Van Niekerk, OSCIA President. “Their leadership qualities, combined
with our new structure, position OSCIA to better serve our members, strengthen our research and
knowledge transfer efforts, deliver high-quality programs and continue advancing innovation in
Ontario agriculture.”
Daily operations and staff supervision will be led by new Senior Manager roles, including a Senior
Manager of Program Operations, a Senior Manager of Finance, and additional Senior Manager roles
that may be added as part of future planning.
Under this new model, the General Manager serves as the primary link to the Board of Directors,
while the Directors guide operational and strategic decision-making. Senior Managers provide day-today leadership for their teams, ensuring OSCIA’s governance and operational roles remain distinct,
clear and effective for future operations.
“This structure reflects our belief that the best decisions come from bringing different voices to the
table,” says Henderson. “Each Director and each Manager will contribute unique insights and input
from their teams, leading to a collaborative approach that delivers stronger outcomes for our
members and partners.”
Van Niekerk says the new model aligns with OSCIA’s Strategic Work Plan, and will enhance member
engagement, streamline delivery of applications, claims and services, support staff growth and
professional development, enhance transparency and ensure decisions are informed by multiple
areas of expertise. There will be no disruption in the delivery of OSCIA’s programs or on-farm
research participation, cost-sharing funding, or knowledge transfer opportunities.
The new model is the result of significant planning and discovery, says Van Niekerk, “Over many
months, we explored several organizational models and found that collaboration was always at the
centre. This new structure reinforces OSCIA’s long-standing reputation for innovation. It supports the
excellent work already underway and positions us for the future.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
