David Thompson announced as new NFU Executive Director

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Published: March 31, 2025

(Vonkara1/iStock/Getty Images)

The National Farmers Union (NFU) has announced Ontario researcher David Thompson as its next Executive Director. Thompson previously served as Farm Labour and Special Projects Manager for the NFU Ontario (NFUO).

In his work with the NFUO,Thompson coordinated the International Projects committee and conducted farmer interviews for policy research.

Thompson’s experience is primarily academic, with degrees from the University of Victoria, Queen’s and the University of Ottawa, covering Canadian history and social and political thought. His work has focused on the history of labour and activism.

Thompson will inherit the role from previous Executive Director Mara Shaw, who has served in the role since January of 2020.

In a March 31 news release, NFU President Jen Pfenning called Thompson “the kind of deeply knowledgeable leader who brings everyone along while staying firmly committed to the mission and values of the NFU.”

“We look forward to working with Dave to continue to advance the issues that NFU farmer and farm worker members democratically determine.”

Thompson will officially begin the role April 7.

About the author

Jonah Grignon

Jonah Grignon

Reporter

Jonah Grignon is a reporter with GFM based in Ottawa, where he covers federal politics in agriculture. Jonah graduated from Carleton University’s school of journalism in 2024 and started working full-time with GFM in Fall 2024, after starting as an intern in 2023. Jonah has written for publications like The Hill Times, Maisonneuve and Canada’s History. He has also created podcasts for Carleton’s student newspaper The Charlatan, Canada’s History and Farm Radio International in Ghana.

explore

Stories from our other publications