Biography: Julie Kennett

Julie Kennett

Director General
NRC IRAP Prairies

Julie Kennett has been with the National Research Council of Canada since 2008. She is currently the director general for the Prairies region of the Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).

Before taking on this role, Julie was a regional director for NRC IRAP Prairies. In that role, she was responsible for a team of 15 industrial technology advisors and oversaw activities in the Alberta South region. Julie was previously an ITA herself, specializing in agriculture, food and nutraceutical industries.

Julie's other specialties include:

  • market analysis
  • business and technology assessment
  • management consulting
  • financial due diligence
  • competitive intelligence
  • strategic planning
  • project management

Before joining NRC IRAP, Julie received a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Saskatchewan. She then spent 10 years with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and its former Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration in various policy and planning roles.