After a decade of leading, CEO Shannon Benner is leaving the position on September 22, 2023.
By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Image of Shannon Benner courtesy of 4-H Canada
Shannon Benner, the current Chief Executive Officer of 4-H Canada, has announced she will be leaving the position as of September 22, 2023, to pursue another opportunity.
Benner had led the Canadian arm of the youth development organization in Canada for over a decade.
"We are grateful to Shannon for her outstanding leadership and contributions to 4-H," stated Dave Hansen, Chair of the 4-H Canada Board of Directors. "During her time at the helm, Shannon had the foresight to lead the implementation of a range of initiatives that will serve the movement for years to come."
During Benner’s time with the organization, a complete reorganization was undertaken, leaving 4-H in Canada with updated governance, strategy, and programs, as well as strengthened partnerships and financial health.
Under her leadership, the 4-H movement in Canada transitioned from a federated model to an accreditation model that requires provinces to participate in a process focused on ensuring national standards across the country.
In addition, Benner’s influence extended beyond Canadian borders, as demonstrated by her election as the Founding Chair of the Global 4-H Board of Directors and Canada’s hosting of the Global 4-H Network Summit in 2017.
"Thanks to Shannon’s leadership, the Canadian 4-H Foundation is poised for continued growth and impact, which means that we will continue to see amazing new leaders emerge from the 4-H membership," said Ben Graham, Chair of the Canadian 4-H Foundation.
"This is bittersweet for me," revealed Benner. "I am so proud of all that the 4-H movement has accomplished and know that the movement will continue to grow with the support of the many dedicated staff and volunteers across this country who are all highly invested in 4-H’s continued success."
It has been reported that 4-H Canada will now begin the process of finding a new leader for their organization.