News
The World Potato Congress Inc. Welcomes Its New Executive Director
The World Potato Congress President, John Griffin, would like to extend a congratulations and warm welcome to our new incoming Executive Director, Ellen Kouwenberg, who will be replacing outgoing General Manager, Brian Douglas.
Born and raised in a family of 9 children, her family operated a potato/beef operation in PEI, Canada. She received her BBA through UPEI and studied International Business at the University of Copenhagen travelling extensively throughout Europe and Russia exploring various business models as part of those studies.
Upon her return, she worked with the PEI Department of Agriculture in various capacities including, Potato Services, Farm Business Management, and the International Programs Division. A secondment led her back to the private sector where she completed a feasibility study into and the establishment of the PEI Potato Quality Institute (PQI), a nationally accredited testing laboratory which she then managed and expanded.
After her departure from PQI, she has continued to work in the global potato network, collaborating on projects with USA University potato variety research programs, expanding international technical and regulatory trade, and farm biosecurity. She brings experience to the World Potato Congress through her global connections, facilitating incoming and outgoing agricultural missions and trade shows involving countries in North Africa, Central and South America, Philippines, USA, and the Middle East. Ellen resides with her husband and their three children on a 285-cow milking herd dairy farm. Ellen has over 25 years as 4-H youth leader, sitting on various boards and committees in this and other organizations within her community, and as such, has been recognized with a Women In Agriculture award for her on-going contributions.
We look forward to working with Ellen in her new role.
Latest News
World Potato Congress Inc. February 20, 2020 Webinar with Hein Kruyt, CEO Solynta – What’s all this talk about Hybrid breeding and Hybrid True Potato Seeds (HTPS) revolutionizing the potato…
WEBINAR REMINDER January 24, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. EST Presenter: Dr. David Douches Subject: Feed the Future – Biotechnology Potato Partnership: Durable Late Blight Resistance to South East Asia The…
January 24, 2020 Webinar with Dr. David Douches: Feed the Future – Biotechnology Potato Partnership: Durable Late Blight Resistance to South East Asia The World Potato Congress (WPC) is very…
The World Potato Congress is pleased to announce that Mr. Wachira Kaguongo has accepted to become the World Potato Congress Inc.’s (WPC) newest International Advisor. Mr. Kaguongo is an agricultural…
World Potato Congress Inc. Announces Next Webinar on November 14, 2019 at 09:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time with Kris Michiels Presenting: Illustration of Regional Potato Promotion: Flanders (Belgium) The World…
The World Potato Congress Inc. (WPC) is pleased to announce that Adelaide, South Australia has been chosen as the site for its 2023 World Potato Congress. The following is…
World Potato Congress Inc. Offers a Fifth Webinar on October 29, 2019 at 09:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time with Dr. Nina Zidack Presenting: “Why You Should Plant Certified Seed Potatoes”…
World Potato Congress President, Romain Cools is pleased to announce Mr. Greg Donald has joined its Board of Directors. Greg Donald has been the General Manager of the PEI Potato…
World Potato Congress Inc partner of the African Potato Association at the triennial conference in Kigali, Rwanda During his presentation at the official opening of the 11th African Potato Congress…
Tribune à l’occasion du TICAD7 Dans le monde d’aujourd’hui, caractérisé par des frontières relativement floues, le développement ne connaît pas de frontières. Selon certaines estimations, on comptera 10 milliards de…