Melissa Watkins
Director, Sustainable Food Systems for Canada
Melissa Watkins is a strategic and collaborative senior leader with over 20 years of experience guiding complex organizations, managing multi-million-dollar programs, and building inclusive communities.
Currently Director of the Sustainable Food Systems for Canada (SF4C) Innovation Platform, Melissa drives nationwide strategy, stakeholder engagement, and governance. She also directs a $76.6M research initiative at the University of Guelph, ensuring investments deliver measurable impact. Throughout her career, she has led high-performing teams, navigated government partnerships, and stewarded public resources.
Grounded in integrity and results, Melissa's leadership balances strategic vision with a hands-on commitment to operations, community well-being, and sustainable innovation.
