Our AGTECH ACCELERATOR advisory council

Jason Heit
Manager of the Competitiveness Team
PrairiesCan

Jason Heit is the Manager of the Competitiveness Team for PrairiesCan’s Saskatchewan region. The team focuses on driving strategic investments in businesses to support trade, productivity, and innovation. Since joining in 2020, Jason has supported the assessment and development of dozens of value-added agriculture projects.

Raised on a farm in west-central Saskatchewan, he maintains strong ties to agriculture as a shareholder in his family’s grain farm.

Drew Dwernychuk
VP of Energy, Mining, ICT and Agtech Innovation
Innovation Saskatchewan

As Vice President of Energy, Mining, ICT, and Agtech Innovation at Innovation Saskatchewan, Drew Dwernychuk brings extensive leadership experience across multiple sectors of government. Since joining in March 2025, Drew has focused on advancing innovation in Saskatchewan’s energy, technology, and agricultural sectors, supporting early-stage companies, and fostering collaboration between industry and government. Drew’s broad public service background—from justice and public safety to education, environment, and resource management—guides his strategic approach, ensuring initiatives are both impactful and grounded in Saskatchewan’s unique opportunities.

Kim McConnell
Former Founder & CE
AdFarm

Kim McConnell is a proud Canadian, and passionate about agriculture, food, youth, and the entrepreneurial spirit. He was the former CEO of AdFarm and led the Canadian-headquartered agency to become one of the largest and most respected agricultural marketing communications firms in North America. In 2012 he was inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame and in 2018 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian award. Kim is a director on a number of corporate boards throughout North America, and a director on several community organizations including Calgary Stampede Foundation, Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI), and the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity.

Kim Nicholson
VP of Agtech and Innovation
Mosaic Company

Kim grew up in the heart of midwest Indiana and graduated with a degree in agronomy from Purdue University. Kim has dedicated over 30 years to the agribusiness industry. She has proven experience in the areas of strategic planning and innovation, brand development, sales leadership, general management, and operations. Prior to joining Mosaic, Kim founded NFocus Partners ( a boutique consultancy), led the consumer products division of Chemtura Corporation, and served as Director of Global Supply Chain for BASF. 

Kristjan Hebert
Managing Partner
Hebert Grain Ventures

Kristjan is the managing partner of Hebert Grain Ventures (HGV), a cereal and oilseed operation in southeast Saskatchewan.  HGV is a corporate partnership owned and operated by Kristjan, his wife Theresa, and Kristjan’s parents. Kristjan serves as chairman of the board for Global Ag Risk Solutions, a new cutting-edge private farm revenue insurance based out of Moose Jaw, SK.  He also currently serves on Bayer Cropscience Inc.’s Grower Advisory Forum.

Rob Russell
Partner
Emmertech

Rob Russell is a partner for Emmertech, the $60-million agtech venture capital fund. He holds an MBA from Ivey Business School and spent time at Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) as a Venture Leader. He is focused on further positioning Saskatchewan and Canada in the global agtech market and connecting with high-growth companies.

Jason McNamee
Co-Founder and COO
Lucent Biosciences

Jason is an energetic, experienced team leader that brings a diverse set of experiences across Agtech, OceanTech, engineering and construction industries. He has successfully led diverse project implementations, overseeing key initiatives such as the development of innovative biotech materials and pioneering Agtech research, including extensive field trials, and holds degrees in both biology and geology from the University of Regina. Jason still considers himself a “decent” hockey player and enjoys getting on the ice when he’s not working towards the fertilizer of the future.