Maria Rodriguez
MONTAGUE,PE
Summary
Experienced with team leadership, strategic planning, and operational management. Utilizes effective communication and organizational skills to drive project success. Track record of fostering productive work environments and achieving set goals.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager, Science Policy and Partnerships
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Provided assessments, recommendations and advice to AAFC and other federal departments’ senior management on the awarding of science-related grants and contributions, and on the development of partnership initiatives targeting the agriculture and agri-food sector as part of the implementation of the 2018-2023 Canadian Agricultural Partnership and other federal initiatives and programs
Associate Director, Technical Cooperation, and Executive Secretary of the Forum of the Americas for Agriculture Research and Development (FORAGRO)
Interamerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Supervised the team of specialists who served as executive secretaries of regional mechanisms for cooperation in agriculture science and technology
- Coordinated collaboration, partnership development, and cooperation agreements between regional agriculture research institutions of the Americas
- As Executive Secretary of FORAGRO, coordinated the restructuring process of the forum and the participatory and inclusive development of its strategic plan
- Developed and implemented innovative processes for training and capacity building
Senior Advisor, International Engagement
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Provided advice to senior management on international engagement activities related to science and technology collaboration
- Provided leadership, coordination and support in developing international partnerships, organizing activities under bilateral forums (for example the Canada-Mexico and Canada-Brazil Consultative Committees on Agriculture)
- Interacted with research scientists, foreign partners, and Canadian stakeholders to facilitate the development of collaborative projects
- Established and led a task force to identify and address barriers to the exchange of plant genetic resources in order to facilitate collaboration between breeders
Research Manager/ Associate Director of Research, Development and Technology
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
01.2010 - 01.2016
- Managed the delivery of research programs for a medium size research centre with approximately 50 employees and responsibility for a budget of approximately CAD $5 million
- Provided advice and recommendations to senior management on provincial and regional issues related to agriculture, science, and technology; successfully positioned the organization, its people and resources to advance strategic objectives, plans and projects, in cooperation with internal and external partners
- Supported the development and management of research, development, and technology transfer partnerships with academic institutions, provincial governments, other federal agencies, and the private sector
- Developed and implemented innovative training and development approaches for staff in partnership with local academic institutions
- Led the development of the Science and Technology Branch Biodiversity and Bioresources Strategy to guide future planning and investments in this area
- Led or participated in hiring committees for filling research scientist, technician, and middle management positions
Deputy Director, Latin America and the Caribbean
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Managed bilateral relations files on Latin America and the Caribbean, in partnership with other departmental Branches and other government departments
- Formulated country engagement strategies to leverage bilateral relations to the benefit of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector, and identified opportunities for cooperation
- Managed human and financial resources for the Latin America and Caribbean section under the Americas Division and participated in planning exercises for the Division
- Provided input, analysis, and sector expertise to the negotiating teams for trade agreement with countries in the region, including Colombia, Peru, and Panama
- Coordinated and provided secretariat functions for high-level bilateral consultation fora such as the Canada –Mexico and the Canada-Brazil Consultative Committees on Agriculture
- Represented the directorate in internal and interdepartmental committees
Senior Policy Analyst
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
01.2006 - 01.2007
- In cooperation with other federal departments, developed materials for submission to Cabinet on the Health and Agriculture Agenda, a federal initiative to coordinate policies on agriculture, food safety and public health, which was supported
- Researched scientific, technical and trade issues dealing with food safety, quality and role of food policy in public health
- Provided advice, prepared and presented briefing materials to senior management and represented the directorate in internal and interdepartmental committees
Senior Policy Analyst, Program Coordination and Program Support
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
01.2001 - 01.2006
- Led development and modernization of program policies and processes with a total quality management approach
- Coordinated program integration activities, including data and knowledge management, strategic planning exercises for the Division, training and staff development
- Operationalized performance measurement and reporting for the program
Evaluation Officer
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
01.2000 - 01.2001
- Evaluated products and ingredients for registration and/or regulatory approval; participated in projects and external consultations for the development of regulations, standards and processes
Assistant Manager/ Site Nutritionist for veterinary drug clinical trials
McGill University
01.1995 - 01.1999
- Coordinated activities of independent research trials for regulatory approval of veterinary drugs
- The work included formulation and monitoring of experimental diets, data processing and control, quality assurance (Good Laboratory Practices), development of standard operating procedures and internal auditing
Sessional Faculty Lecturer
McGill University
01.1996 - 01.1997
- Lectured various animal science courses in the Farm Management and Technology (Diploma) program
Partner, family farm business
Agropecuaria GilMarin
01.1985 - 01.1992
Secretary
Block of producer Associations
01.1989 - 01.1991
Faculty Lecturer
Universidad Central de Venezuela
01.1982 - 01.1985
- Lectured in agricultural botany and tropical crops
Education
Ph.D. - Animal Science
McGill University
Montreal01-2003
Master of Science - Animal Science
McGill University
Montreal, QC01-1994
Agricultural Engineer -
Universidad Central De Venezuela
Maracay, Venezuela01-1981
Skills
- Customer service
- Literacy development
- Strategic leadership
- Time management expertise
- Relationship building and management
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Manager, Science Policy and Partnerships
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
01.2018 - 01.2020
Associate Director, Technical Cooperation, and Executive Secretary of the Forum of the Americas for Agriculture Research and Development (FORAGRO)
Interamerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)
01.2016 - 01.2018
Senior Advisor, International Engagement
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
01.2015 - 01.2016
Research Manager/ Associate Director of Research, Development and Technology
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
01.2010 - 01.2016
Deputy Director, Latin America and the Caribbean
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
01.2008 - 01.2010
Senior Policy Analyst
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
01.2006 - 01.2007
Senior Policy Analyst, Program Coordination and Program Support
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
01.2001 - 01.2006
Evaluation Officer
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
01.2000 - 01.2001
Sessional Faculty Lecturer
McGill University
01.1996 - 01.1997
Assistant Manager/ Site Nutritionist for veterinary drug clinical trials
McGill University
01.1995 - 01.1999
Secretary
Block of producer Associations
01.1989 - 01.1991
Partner, family farm business
Agropecuaria GilMarin
01.1985 - 01.1992
Faculty Lecturer
Universidad Central de Venezuela
01.1982 - 01.1985
Ph.D. - Animal Science
McGill University
Master of Science - Animal Science
McGill University
Agricultural Engineer -
Universidad Central De Venezuela
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