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Darcy Tucker is one of only four people to have won 3 Memorial Cup Championships. Tucker also won a Gold medal for Canada at the World Juniors in 1995. He was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 6th round of the NHL entry draft in ’93. Tucker played in 947 regular season and 68 playoff games in his career for the Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Colorado Avalanche. He scored 215 goals and had 261 assists for 476 points, along with 1,410 penalty minutes. Tucker was the epitome of an agitator in the NHL and an icon in the greater Toronto area during his nine seasons with the Maple Leafs, as he became a fan favourite for his energetic and physical play, and his ability to agitate at the highest level while still being a consistent and effective offensive contributor. He retired from professional hockey in 2010, but still works closely with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni Association.
Raised in Quebec, Alison Porter developed an early and lasting connection to agriculture as the granddaughter of a farmer and the daughter of a veterinarian.
She holds a degree in agricultural economics from McGill University and furthered her experiences through study and work in Germany. After working at Lactanet and the Canadian Dairy Commission, she held senior leadership roles serving two Ministers of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Alison is now Vice-President of Policy at Dairy Farmers of Canada, where she continues to champion policies that strengthen Canada’s dairy sector and the farm families behind it.
Christopher Kimmerer is an Analyst, Policy and Trade, at Dairy Farmers of Canada, where he focuses on consumer trends in the Canadian dairy sector.
He earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Management Economics and Finance and a Master of Science in Food, Agriculture, and Resource Economics from the University of Guelph.
Clarence and Wendy Markus are the former owners of Markvale Holsteins. Their commitment to long-term planning is reflected in their family’s success, with all four of their children now operating dairies of their own, including one who now owns and operates Markvale Holsteins. With decades of hands-on experience in breeding, farm development, and farm leadership, Clarence offers a practical, real-world perspective on building a strong operation while successfully transitioning a farm to the next generation.
Paul MacLeod, along with his wife Ellen and son Kyle, are owners of Darcroft Farms Limited. Paul is a progressive dairy producer committed to building a resilient, forward-thinking operation. With a focus on herd performance, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability, MacLeod brings practical, on-farm experience to the conversation. His perspective reflects the realities of managing growth, and being able to adapt to changes along the way. As well as navigating market pressures, and making strategic decisions that strengthen both the business and the next generation.
Bertram v. Czettritz is an Advisor for entra Management Consulting where he works with agricultural family businesses in Germany on generational transition and succession. His work focuses on the human and family dynamics that shape how farms are passed from one generation to the next. In addition, he supports organizations and entrepreneurs in phases of growth and development, including stepping into leadership roles during critical transitions.
Kurt Oelschlagel is a Tax Partner at MNP, specializing in owner-managed businesses with a strong focus on agri-business. He advises clients on federal and provincial income taxation, corporate restructuring, estate planning, succession planning, and personal and corporate income tax planning. Beyond his client work, Kurt has been deeply involved in the tax profession including roles as a tutor, lecturer, and coordinator for CPA Canada’s Income Tax Practice for the General Practitioner course for approximately fifteen years. He is currently the co-author of Taxation of Farmers & Fisherman and a past contributor to the publication Agriculture Law in Canada. Kurt is also a frequent presenter at industry events, including past seminars hosted by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.
Larry Batte specializes in guiding farm families through succession and estate planning across Southwestern Ontario. Larry assists them in transitioning their operations smoothly and sustainably to the next generation. With deep roots in the agriculture sector, Larry provides comprehensive accounting, tax, and advisory services. He also supports family businesses through intergenerational and transition planning, taking a thoughtful approach that balances family dynamics and business needs. Larry focuses on delivering practical, customized solutions that strengthen long‑term farm viability and drive operational success.
Dr. Shari Van De Pol is a recognized expert in the application of Artificial Intelligence and advanced data systems in the dairy industry, bridging computer engineering, veterinary medicine, and on-farm realities to drive measurable improvements in animal health, sustainability, and profitability. She is the Founder and CEO of CATTLEytics Inc., a Canadian ag-tech company internationally recognized for deploying AI-driven decision support tools directly into commercial dairy operations. Her work focuses on practical, explainable AI — including machine learning, predictive analytics, and digital twin technology — that helps farmers anticipate health events, optimize reproduction and nutrition decisions, reduce environmental impact, and improve labour efficiency.
Through CATTLEytics’ digital twin platform, Shari has led the integration of AI across herd health, reproduction, staff communication, scheduling, and both biological and economic modeling, helping dairy farms translate complex data into clear, actionable decisions.