ABOUT

At De Paoli & Associates, our mission is to support Agribusinesses, to help them to start, grow and thrive.

To achieve our mission, we offer consulting services to Agribusinesses to help them to turn ideas into reality and to remove barriers in the process. We advocate for Agribusinesses with governing bodies, help find grants to make ideas a reality, help drive projects to the next level and promote good governance to allow for lasting success.

We enjoy the opportunity to speak and lecture across North America to a wide variety of audiences, both in the Agricultural sector and to businesses and non profits.

We are problem solvers, negotiators, facilitators and knowledge sharers. In a nutshell, we are doers who help our clients achieve measurable results.

Our Team

President

Anna De Paoli CMC, ICD.D

Anna is a Certified Management Consultant, and Corporate Director, who specializes in commercial negotiation in the Agriculture sector. Her negotiation experience ranges from small business transactions to multi billion-dollar supply agreements.

She holds a Bachelor of Science with Honors from the Unviersity of Durham, the Certified Management Consultant as well as the Institute of Corporate Directors designations.

She is a Director at Big Marble Farms, Alberta’s largest vegetable greenhouse as well as a Director for Future Fuel, a power generation and composting operation and is President of ATCO Future Fuel RNG L.P who are developing a renewable natural gas project in Two Hills Alberta. She is also on the Board of Directors at IPPSA, the Independent Power Producer Society of Alberta.

Prior to her consulting career, Anna spent 10 years working internationally for Shell in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. She was involved in commodities trading and supply chain management for a wide range of refined products and biofuels.

Anna is an active volunteer in the local community, she is the Past President of the Millarville Racing & Agricultural Society, one of the oldest Agricultural Societies in Canada as well as Co-Chair of the annual Millarville Races. She is also Co-Chair of the Institute of Corporate Directors Calgary Chapter executive. Most recently, Anna was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her significant contributions to Canada, her leadership and business acumen as her volunteerism.

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Associate

Michaela Frey

Michaela is an experienced, dedicated advocate and skilled communicator committed to helping her clients tell their stories. Whether it be communicating with government officials to secure new grant funding or policy change, media training for executives, or navigating a crisis, she is here to help you grow and succeed.

She brings over 10 years of combined experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. She was previously elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, representing the “rurban” constituency of Brooks-Medicine Hat where she secured millions of dollars in funding as a result of her successful advocacy. She also served in the Office of Premier Danielle Smith as her Senior Advisor, as well as Chief of Staff in the Premier's ministry of Intergovernmental and International Relations. She has been called upon as an expert witness at the federal government's Status of Women committee as well as appeared as a pundit and commentator for CBC, CHED and Global communication networks.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Lethbridge and is nearing completion of a Master of Arts in Communications from Arizona State University.

In her spare time, you can find Michaela volunteering as a member of the board of directors with the Medicine Hat Rootcellar (Foodbank) and HALO Air Ambulance.

She was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 for her service to the Province of Alberta and was nominated by community members for a Women In Business Inspire Award (2018).

Associate

Melonie McKee

Melonie McKee is an experienced and passionate Farmers' Market Consultant dedicated to enhancing market operations and fostering community partnerships for sustainability and stability within the sector. Whether optimizing market success, advocating for best practices, or providing training and support to market managers, she is committed to helping clients thrive.

Melonie brings 14 years of direct experience as the Manager of the Millarville Farmers' Market and Events, where her leadership earned her the Outstanding Farmers' Market Manager of the Year award in 2019, along with five subsequent nominations. She has also served on the Alberta Farmers' Market Association Board of Directors for the last nine years, utilizing her expertise to advocate for farmers' markets across the province. Additionally, she holds a degree in Event planning & Extension through Mount Royal University.

In her spare time, Melonie actively contributes to her local community through her involvement with the Cowboy Trail Lions Club, her local Royal Canadian Legion, and the Millarville Racing & Agricultural Society.