Dave Bender

Dave Bender is a senior executive with more than 35 years of global food experience in innovation, R&D leadership, sales & marketing and commercial strategy execution. He most recently served as Global Vice President of Research & Development at Griffith Foods, where he led a worldwide network of 400+ R&D professionals and helped shape the company’s purpose-driven strategy and global innovation agenda.

Dave’s career spans technical, commercial and strategic leadership roles, including Canadian Business Director for Solae/ Dupont and R&D Leadership roles at Morrison Lamothe Fine Foods and Cuddy Foods. He has been a long-standing contributor to Canada’s agri-food innovation ecosystem serving on numerous advisory councils, committees and working groups.

A champion of sustainable, regenerative and plant forward food systems, Dave brings deep expertisein innovation, ecosystem partnerships and industry transformation. He is passionate and committed to advancing Canada’s global leadership across the entire food value chain.

Dave holds a Master of Science in Marketing Management and Honours Bachelor of Science, from the University of Guelph. He currently resides in Aurora, Ontario with his family.