Wondering who are the people working behind the scenes at Prograin? In this article, we’ll introduce you to Isabelle Groulx, one of our valued employees.
Hi Isabelle. What do you do at Prograin and how long have you been working here?
I’ve been the Quality Control and Assurance Coordinator at Prograin for four years now.
Did you complete any specific program in order to do this job?
I studied at the University of Guelph for two years, at the Campus d’Alfred in Ontario, specializing in nutrition, dietetics and food safety.
Did you know anything about soybeans before you began working at Prograin?
I participated in the University of Guelph’s Project SOY. I had to come up with a soy-based product that could be marketed in Canada. It involved designing a product and doing a market study. I then had to present my product to the judges.
I realized soybeans were gaining in popularity because of their high protein content. Vegan/vegetarian, lactose and gluten-free diets are becoming more and more common.
Did you know about Prograin before you began working there?
No, I wasn’t familiar with Prograin before I started working here.
What do you think sets Prograin apart from other companies?
Prograin is specialized in developing, conditioning and marketing soybeans. We have a state-of-the-art research centre which allows us to develop new soybean varieties. The company is always looking to integrate new market technologies into its work practices.
In your opinion, what words best describe Prograin’s corporate culture?
The words that come to mind are evolution, visionary and family feel.
What do you like about your job?
Working with so many different people, from production employees and the administrative team to research. I travel for work, so I get to discover different parts of the region. And our certification processes (organic, FoodChain & Pro-Terra) mean I get to meet our producers, right there on their farm. I learn something new every day.
What motivates you?
Two days never look alike. And each day brings a new challenge. As a result, my work is always enjoyable and engaging.
What’s your biggest day-to-day challenge?
Prograin is a continually evolving company. In just four short years, the company has grown considerably in terms of IT and its soybean screening site. My biggest challenge is to keep up with the ongoing changes.
Last question: where might we see you outside of work?
I like to stay active. I love to travel and spend time in the great outdoors, especially hiking in the mountains—Mont Bromont and Mont Shefford are two of my favourite spots.
I also love skating on the Rideau Canal, ATVing, fishing and camping. I’m always up for an outdoor adventure!
I’m interested in all things nutrition and food processing. I also really enjoy food industry events, like Festival de la Curd in Saint-Albert, RibFest and PoutineFest. And I’m also interested in the agri-food industry.
Thanks for telling us a bit about yourself, Catherine.