Stories. Innovation. Impact.
Our Team
Our dynamic team of marketing and media professionals combine their extensive skills sets in each of their distinct disciplines with world class, seed industry experience to build out market leading solutions that are unheard of on a global stage.
Aiden Brook
Business Development Manager
After completing his bachelor degree at Valley City State University and travelling internationally to play professional baseball, Aiden is one of the newest members of the Seed World Group team. Focused on delivering client centric solutions as part of the CREATE division, Aiden employs his knowledge, integrity and work ethic to connect customers with unique ways to tackle their problems. He is always ready for something new and well equipped to overcome each challenge the Seed World team and their clients encounter. Aiden’s fresh approach and viewpoints benefit the Seed World Group team because integrity never goes out of style.
Alex Martin
Editor
Digging out relevant news for the seed industry might not always be easy, but Alex Martin is always up to the sleuthing task. Alex Martin graduated from Louisiana State University, and comes from a long line of dairy farmers in southern Arkansas. She has been working for Seed World Group since leaving university — first as an associate editor and now as editor of Seed World. Since becoming editor of Seed World, Alex has found a passion for the industry, especially as it concerns agriculture economics and new breeding techniques across the globe. Continuous learning helps expand her knowledge of the global seed sector each day. When it comes down to it, Alex’s ultimate goal is to share the seed industry’s stories in the best light possible to achieve harmony between associations, companies and regulatory bodies with relevant and accurate on-the-ground news.
Ashley Robinson
Ashley graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Regina in 2016. Since then she has been active with a number of media companies including daily newspapers, agricultural focused publications and international news services. Ashley brings a wealth of agricultural knowledge, both from her previous positions and having grown up on a mixed cattle and grain farm in southwestern Manitoba.
Candace Larsen
Equipped with marketing expertise and a global perspective, Candace Larsen helps clients build strategic marketing plans to increase brand awareness, sales, and leads globally. Candace has a degree in International Business along with 7 years of experience in sales, marketing, advertising, and public relations across multiple industries. She has a keen understanding of marketing, having worked with a number of large-scale international companies. Candace also brings global insight and linguistic prowess to Seed World Group. She has international experience working and living abroad in Costa Rica, Croatia, and Spain. As a native English speaker who is fluent in Spanish and proficient in French, Candace uses languages to bridge cultural gaps, introducing companies to international audiences and creating new opportunities for global commerce.
Charlene McIvor
As one of Red River College’s first graduates of the Digital Multimedia Technology program, Charlene took her love for design and digital mediums and put them to work at both agencies and newspapers in Winnipeg. Working with a wide range of clients, she has developed an ability to look at a campaign from different angles. She brings to Seed World Group her desire to always be learning and the ability to look at complex projects and map out the most efficient and effective way to deliver results.
Craig Armstrong
Vice President, Business Development
Leading the Seed World Group sales and marketing team, Craig brings with him 20 years of sales and marketing experience across several sectors. Not afraid to face challenges head-on, Craig is a strong team player with a flair for creative marketing tactics and solid sales skills. Craig’s firm belief in marketing has already generated results, allowing Seed World Group to be more strategic in its sales and marketing tactics while boosting sales.
Dean French
Business Development Manager
With over 29 years experience in print and sales, Dean brings his knowledge and creativity to help Seed World Group and our clients stand out above their competitors. A team player and leader, Dean graduated from Red River Community College with a background in business administration. Dean’s organized nature has made him a natural fit with our circulation department and his long experience in the print sector make him a strong resource for the Seed World Group team as we grow both our print and digital properties.
Ewa Józefowicz Amador
Client Services Manager
Passionate about the science of language, its connection with the way we communicate and its impact on our daily decision-making, Ewa helps Seed World Group to create effective communication and marketing strategies for their CREATE clients from the seed industry all over the world.
Ewa graduated from the Department of English Philology (M.A.) at Wroclaw University (WSF). In addition, she holds a specialization degree in Food Security: Assessment and Action from UOC in Spain. For a number of years, she worked for the Seed Agency in Poland (Agencja Nasienna) as the Manager of Foreign Affairs. This work included cooperation with the European Commission as part of the TAIEX program (Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Instrument of the EC supporting public administrations with regard to the approximation, application and enforcement of EU legislation) and conduction of numerous workshops for the Ministries of Agriculture and other official institutions in Serbia, Romania and Moldova in the field of PVP, PBRs and IP. She continued developing her passion, strength and focus around the seed sector working as the Manager Project Communications and Membership Relations in Euroseeds.
Keely Brook
Client Services Coordinator
Keely is Seed World Group’s Client Services Coordinator, aiding in any way she can to build and maintain close relationships with the clients who work with our company. She is here to fill requests from clients, provide feedback, and liaise with relevant departments within the company to provide solutions for all stakeholders.
Keely is also a student at University of Winnipeg, working towards her bachelor’s degree in Arts and Education. In her free time, she enjoys spending time at the lake, with her pup or creating new recipes for Keely in the Kitchen.
Kyle Dratowany
Media Developer
Kyle graduated from Red River College with an Advanced Graphic Design diploma. Then got his start at Studio Media Group working on various publications, print materials, digital design and video work. He then worked at Metro News Group as Winnipeg’s Creative Services Department head where he primarily worked on ad design in collaboration with the Western Canada markets. He brings his combined experience in a range of media to Seed World Group and is happy to be part of an excellent team.
Laura Burtnyk
Project Manager
Laura graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2018 where she attained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Asper School of Business. Majoring in marketing, Laura applies innovative thinking and creative solutions to the projects she manages. As a competitive curling athlete, a sport long-time supported by the agriculture industry, Laura is no stranger to bringing a hard work ethic, strategic analysis, and teamwork to Seed World Group.
Lesley Nakonechny
Graphic Designer
Lesley graduated from Winnipeg’s Red River College with a diploma in graphic design. She gained experience as a production artist in the print industry before becoming layout editor for a newspaper servicing Manitoba’s vibrant Icelandic community. Her solid graphic design background in publications and advertising enables Lesley to produce top-quality work for Seed World Group publications and its many marketing projects.
Lindsay Hoffman
Vice President, Client Services
Passionate about helping clients, Lindsay’s attention to detail, creativity and commitment to finding solution-driven options for clients helps create content and marketing success. Lindsay attended the University of Manitoba where she received her Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness. Upon completing her degree, Lindsay entered the agribusiness sector where she gained invaluable experience in the areas of customer service, agronomy, sales and marketing. Having been immersed in both the publishing and business development aspects of Seed World Group before leading CREATE team, Lindsay brings a unique viewpoint to any project she works on.
Marc Zienkiewicz
Editor
Marc spent a decade working as a reporter, photographer, and finally managing editor for Canada’s largest newspaper chain. He graduated from both the University of Winnipeg and Red River College communications programs, and over the years has received numerous Manitoba Community Newspapers Association awards for his writing and photography. He brings his love of writing, editing and constant learning to his role at Seed World Group.
Marcel Bruins
Editorial Director, European Seed
Marcel studied plant breeding and plant pathology at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands and received a PhD for the research he did in Fusarium resistance in wheat. After that he worked at breeding company Seminis as manager Plant Variety Protection. In 2007 he became Secretary-General at ISF and guided the ISF into the modern era of communication, and greatly increased the service to its members. After seven successful years at ISF, he started as an independent consultant. He has been helping profit and non-profit organizations with their questions on the seed industry and their ever-increasing regulations, plant breeding, plant breeders’ rights, intellectual property, trade facilitation and international outreach.
Michelle Clarke
Managing Editor
Passionate about getting it right, Michelle Clarke has spent more than two decades in the journalism industry. Starting off with an independent newspaper in Ontario, and managing a newsroom in Alberta overseeing 10 staff, four publications and multiple magazines, Michelle brings her hard work ethic, positive attitude and managerial experience to the Seed World Group team. Michelle is solution-orientated, detail-oriented and efficient. Her ultimate goal is to guide her team to work as well together as they do independently, ensuring the editors are meeting our readers’ needs and cultivating relationships in the industry.
Otgonbold Nasanjargal
Accounting Manager
Otgonbold (Obi) is an excellent Accounting Manager. With good attention to details and strong analytical and problem solving skills, Obi is highly knowledgeable when it comes to his job and his diverse background allows him to adapt and thrive in any environment. Passionate about continuing his education, he is in the final stage of completing his CGA accounting designation. Obi enjoys soccer, traveling and being with his family.
Rebecca Carmeli-Peslak
Digital Media Producer
Becca graduated from Purdue University in May 2021 with a degree in Agricultural Communication. Participating in 4-H, FFA, and growing up on a hobby farm encouraged her to look towards agriculture when thinking of future careers. Having worked various roles in marketing consumer goods, she was eager to get back to her agricultural roots with Seed World Group. Becca’s goals are to continue expanding and improving digital media properties for SWG as well as being a positive, supportive team member.
Ruskin Johnson
Director, Digital Services
A certified project management professional with over 12 years of experience, Ruskin brings expertise in managing large scale technology projects in multi-functional areas. Well versed in leveraging technology with business acumen, Ruskin strives to provide a strategic advantage to organizations in any project he works on. Ruskin is proficient in applying industry standard project management methodologies and best practices. With a Degree in Engineering and understanding of ever-changing technology, Ruskin brings in an added value to his customers and Seed World Group team.
Sam Mostafa
Business Development Manager
Helping people achieve their goals has been a genuine passion for Sam, and having had the opportunity to do this during the past 20 years in sales and marketing with some of the most significant corporations in the world has provided him with excellent results and experience in sales and marketing.
Sam continues to find ways of driving solutions to a vast array of Canadian and International accounts in the agriculture sector. He is always interested in obtaining challenging roles where he could add value by utilizing his knowledge, skills, and experience.
Shawn Brook
President
Doing the right thing is not always easy, but it is always the right thing! Shawn remains committed to this concept and knows very clearly that he has surrounded himself with a superbly talented group of colleagues at Seed World Group. With a keen focus on solutions, Shawn utilizes his more than 20-plus years of management experience across multiple private and public sector industries to help share and shape the ag communications landscape. Travelling extensively around the world provides a huge network and global experiences to help clients find solutions to enhance their businesses and increase their return on investment. Content is king and execution is critical – for all of us.
Theresa Ramsoomair
Theresa graduated from Red River College with a diploma in Graphic Design. Starting with designing magazines, to becoming passionate about marketing and communications in the seed sector has made Theresa a strong asset to the Seed World Group team. Developing marketing strategies, supporting business development and working with clients directly are a few of her daily tasks.
Valerie Brook
Chief Morale Officer
Valerie’s main focus is to help provide a positive attitude and try to make the work load seem a little lighter. Her goal is to make the hard days at work just a little better,and the good days great! Sometimes all it takes to put a smile on many faces is the smell of fresh baked muffins and sometimes it is just someone to listen to what you really have to say.