Katrina Finke Joins COYF As Program Manager April 2026
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF) program will welcome a new Program Manager, Katrina Finke, on April 1, 2026. Katrina brings more than 20 years of experience as a strategic operations executive with a proven track record in leadership, governance, and operational excellence across local, provincial, and national organizations.
Her expertise spans financial stewardship, organizational alignment, and operational management. Katrina’s main priorities will be strengthening organizational accountability, unifying the program’s brand identity, and delivering high-impact results. Expanding national sponsorship is also a key focus as she steps into her new role.
The COYF Board expressed confidence that Katrina’s leadership will support the continued success and growth of the program. Her experience is expected to build upon a strong foundation developed over many years.
Katrina succeeds in Carla Kaeding, who served as Program Manager for 11 years. Carla’s tenure was marked by her dedication to enhancing the program, connecting farmers across Canada, and guiding the Board toward thoughtful decision-making and continuous improvement. The Board acknowledged Carla’s remarkable contributions.
As Katrina assumes her new responsibilities, the organization looks forward to her perspective and expertise. The COYF program continues to focus on celebrating young farmers’ achievements, fostering leadership, and supporting agricultural excellence nationwide.
Katrina’s appointment reflects COYF’s commitment to maintaining strong operational management while encouraging growth, community engagement, and strategic development. The program continues to play a vital role in recognizing Canada’s young farmers and advancing the agricultural sector through collaboration, leadership, and innovation.
The COYF community anticipates that under Katrina’s guidance, the program will continue to thrive, expand sponsorship opportunities, and strengthen its position as a leading organization supporting young agricultural leaders across Canada.