Our Patron

The former Prince of Wales is The Campaign for Wool’s Founder and Patron

Board of Directors

The Canadian Wool Council, Official Canadian Implementing Partner of The Campaign for Wool

MATTHEW J. ROWE

CEO, The Campaign for Wool Canada | The Canadian Wool Council

Matthew is the CEO of The Campaign for Wool in Canada and its parent organization, The Canadian Wool Council.  Matthew also serves as the Head of the Canadian Delegation to the International Wool Textile Organization, the global authority for wool standards.

Before taking on a leadership role in Canada's wool textile industry, Matthew was Vice-President at Prince's Trust Canada (formerly Prince’s Charities Canada). In that role, he was responsible for developing and communicating the Canadian charitable work of our Patron: The former Prince of Wales, including the creation of an Indigenous languages revitalization program responsible for over 88 children’s titles in 16 endangered languages. 

A communicator by nature, Matthew has regularly appeared in national and international media on a range of topics. Prior roles with Canada's Senate and House of Commons and stints in policy, media and international development have all contributed to a strong professional network and multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving.

Matthew is a graduate of Mount Allison University and is a recipient of both The Queen's Golden (2002) and Diamond (2012) Jubilee Medals for his service to the community.  In 2021, he was granted the Freedom of the City of London (UK) and membership in The Worshipful Company of Woolmen, the world's oldest wool guild.

RICK BLICKSTEAD

Vice Chair
Finance and Risk Committee Member

Rick is a fluently bilingual, senior general management executive with experience in both the Canadian and US public, non-profit, and private sectors. He specializes in organizational revitalization, social and strategic innovation, operational execution, and social enterprises. Rick has a diverse background in board governance, organizational branding and positioning, retail, and consulting, having led organizations such as Peoples Jewellers, Walmart FJ (USA), RONA, Wellesley Institute, and Diabetes Canada.

He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto and led the operational team for Canadian CEOs in the Community, an initiative of the Prince’s Trust (UK) and Prince’s Charities Canada. In addition to providing pro-bono consulting to several organizations, Rick is also a member of several Boards including The Canadian Campaign for Wool, Imperial Manufacturing Group, Regis College, The Federation of Ontario Cottage Associations, and The Harvard Club of Toronto. He has a Hons B. Comm (Carleton University) MBA (Rotman Business School: U of Toronto) and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from The Kennedy School/Harvard Business School.

DAVID BRENT COCHRANE

Board Treasurer
Finance and Risk Committee Member

Brent is a finance professional with over 40 years’ experience in the international mining industry.  He has had a variety of financial roles including corporate development, treasury and chief financial officer.  He has worked on feasibility studies, financing, development and operation of mining projects in North America, South America and Africa, becoming exposed to a range of disciplines including cash management, portfolio management, pension management, environmental management, community relations, social development, risk and insurance, project finance, bank relationship management, supply contracts, sales contracts, and government agreements.  

Brent has an appreciation of the ups and downs experienced by entrepreneurs and start-ups having been self-employed as a financial advisor to junior mining companies since 2004, advising projects in Mozambique, Peru, Ecuador, and Canada.

Brent received a B.A in economics from the University of Saskatchewan, and an M.A. in economics from the University of Toronto.  

MICHELLE HEAD KIM

Chair of Fashion Partnerships
Finance and Risk Committee Member

Michelle is a seasoned industry veteran with over 25 years’ experience in the investment management industry. She has expertise managing private client residents in both Canada and USA, charitable foundations, corporate accounts, and pension funds.

Michelle began her investment career in the insurance industry managing assets for Aetna Canada; segregated and pooled accounts for corporations and individuals. She then moved to large institutional pension fund management as portfolio manager for the fixed income assets of Imperial Oil Pension and TD Bank Pension. Most recently Michelle's emphasis has been on private clients as Senior Portfolio Manager in Vancouver/Toronto for Scotia Wealth Management.

Michelle also brings experience from the Investment Banking World with her role at Goldman Sachs Canada as Vice President as well as TD Securities, Head of Fixed Income Sales where she focused on private clients, institutional pension funds, corporate clients, and endowment funds.

Michelle knows what it means to run your own business, having founded MHK Wealth Management, which is an independent 'advice only' consulting practice where she was able to work with private clients and "women in need" to strengthen their financial wellbeing.

Michelle received her MBA from the University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management and her MA Economics from Western University.

ADRIA MINSKY

Board Secretary, Chair of Government Relations

Adria is the Senior Manager for Public Affairs and Public Relations with Mattamy Homes Canada.

Adria was involved in politics at both the federal and provincial level for more than 16 years. In Ottawa, she worked for a number of federal cabinet ministers with portfolios that included environment, public works, international trade and indigenous affairs. Between 2011 and 2013, she served as the Director of Policy to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

In 2014, Adria joined a national not-for-profit dedicated to increasing political engagement in the Canadian political process, as the Director of Marketing and Communications. From 2018 to 2019 she served as the Director of Policy to the Minister of Government and Consumer Services at Queen’s Park. Between 2019 to 2021 she was a Senior Advisor with a boutique public affairs consulting firm.

Adria is the Board Secretary and Chair of Government Relations for The Campaign for Wool Canada, as well as a Board Member for the Canadian Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. She was previously a member of Cabinet for the National Ballet and a committee member for Fashion Heals for SickKids. She was a volunteer with the CIBC Run for the Cure Toronto for five years; during which she spent two years as the Communications Lead for the annual fundraising event.

Adria was born and raised in Montreal. She holds a BA from Mount Allison University and a MA in international relations from McMaster University.

CAROLE PRECIOUS

Producer Representative

Carole Precious is committed to promoting the remarkable qualities of wool. Her time as a Shepherdess has given her firsthand knowledge of how different sheep breeds suit Canada's diverse range of climates. She is also passionate about encouraging young people to live harmoniously alongside animals.

Carole’s family brought the first flock of Shetland sheep to North America in 1980, and Carole remains the Shepherdess to the descendants of the original flock. She works with designers and artisans to share an appreciation for the different applications of wool and encourages others to explore wool’s limitless possibilities including clothing, insulation, artwork, and housewares.

Advisory Board

JOHN MUSCAT

President, LINE the Label — Chair

John is President and co-founder of LINE the Label. For two decades, the locally grown and internationally acclaimed Canadian fashion label has found itself in the coveted closets of both Hollywood and British royalty. LINE’s origins began with the mission to provide affordable, everyday luxury through its effortless shapes and innovative fabrications.

ASHLEY SCOTT

Executive Director, Alberta Lamb Producers — Vice-Chair

Ashley joined the Alberta Lamb Producers (ALP) as their Executive Director in August 2019. In her role with the organization, she sits on various provincial and national scale committees such as the National Sheep Network (NSN), ABVMA ABVTA ERVPWC working group, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Campaign for Wool Committee and the RDAR Advisory Committee. 

She is also ALP’s liaison with both the provincial and federal government to promote industry interests and representation along with collaborating and advocating with government and researchers to work towards solutions to issues impacting the sheep industry, including the development of practical management tools, utilizing her strong relationships and collaborative approach with various stakeholders.

She is responsible for strategic leadership of the organization - working with the board of directors to set strategic direction, goals, and objectives, and then motivating and leading staff in accomplishing those goals. She is accountable for financial and human resources management - preparing and managing budgets and developing and implementing policies and strategies for recruitment and retention of staff.

Ashley proudly works for every producer in our province to enhance advocacy, education, communication, research, and community-building for a stronger sheep industry.

ERIN MORGAN

Executive Director, Ontario Sheep Farmers — Vice-Chair

JANE UNDERHILL

Board Member — Secretary

Agri-textile industry strategist, founder and president of Laine OA Wool, Deputy Head of Canadian Delegation to the International Wool Textile Organization, member of the IWTO Wool Interiors Working Group and Chair of the Canadian Wool Domestic and International Affairs Committee. Expertise in supply chain management for medium-scale wool development projects. Architect of Campaign for Wool Canada's strategic vision for a reinvigorated Canadian wool industry. Notable accomplishments include authoring The Carpet Plan, The Shearing Plan, and the Upholstery Plan for the Canadian Wool Council. Among other initiatives, Jane works closely with sheep producers to improve wool quality and value entering the supply chain. Sought-after consultant, mentor, presenter, panelist and facilitator. Fluent in French and English. In her spare time, she mentors start-ups and is an avid supporter of the arts. In 2022, she was made a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen; the world's oldest wool guild.