Village Farms International Appoints Yvonne Trupiano as Global Chief Human Resources Officer

Village Farms International, Inc. (NASDAQ: VFF) has announced a significant enhancement to its executive team with the appointment of Yvonne Trupiano as the Executive Vice President and Global Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). This newly established role reflects the company's commitment to supporting its international expansion initiatives and driving operational excellence across the organization.

Yvonne Trupiano brings over 25 years of extensive experience in human resources, having led HR functions in both public and private sectors across various industries. Her career includes notable positions at Fortune 500 companies such as Avis Budget Group and SpartanNash. Most recently, she served as CHRO at a large insurance firm, showcasing her proven track record in assessing human capital needs and delivering successful outcomes aligned with business goals.

Trupiano’s expertise lies in her ability to foster purpose-driven, consumer-centric organizations and build high-performing teams that are essential for achieving strategic objectives. Her focus on talent development and continuous improvement is expected to play a crucial role in Village Farms’ growth trajectory.

Michael DeGiglio, CEO of Village Farms, expressed his enthusiasm about Trupiano’s appointment, stating, “We are excited to welcome Yvonne to Village Farms and look forward to her contributions during a pivotal period of transformation and international expansion.” He emphasized that her experience in scaling global businesses and her commitment to developing talent will enhance the company’s high-performance culture, particularly as Village Farms continues to expand its footprint in regulated cannabis markets worldwide.

In her statement, Trupiano expressed her pride in joining Village Farms and her eagerness to contribute to the company's international growth objectives. “I was drawn to this opportunity by the Company’s strong reputation as a pioneer in its industry and its deep commitment to its people and communities,” she noted. Trupiano’s focus will be on executing strategic initiatives that develop a talented global workforce, which is integral to the company’s next phase of growth.

Village Farms operates as a leading, vertically integrated supplier of high-value, plant-based Consumer Packaged Goods, leveraging decades of experience in Controlled Environment Agriculture. The company is recognized for its role as a prominent fresh produce supplier to grocery and large-format retailers in the U.S. and Canada, and it is actively pursuing high-growth opportunities in cannabis and CBD markets across North America and Europe.

In Canada, Village Farms’ subsidiary, Pure Sunfarms, stands out as one of the largest cannabis operations globally, recognized for being the lowest-cost greenhouse producer and one of the top-selling brands in the country. The company also holds an 80% stake in Quebec-based Rose LifeScience, a leading cannabis commercialization expert.

Internationally, Village Farms aims to capitalize on emerging legal cannabis and CBD opportunities. It exports medical cannabis from its EU GMP certified facility to several international markets, including Germany, the UK, Israel, and Australia. The company is also expanding its reach through new export contracts in the Asia-Pacific and European regions and strategic investments in operational assets.

Village Farms is not only focused on growth but also on sustainability through its Clean Energy division, which collaborates with Terreva Renewables to convert landfill gas into clean energy. The Delta RNG facility significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability and community welfare.

The appointment of Yvonne Trupiano as Global CHRO marks a strategic move for Village Farms International as it navigates its ambitious growth plans in the rapidly evolving cannabis market. With her extensive experience and a shared vision for excellence, Trupiano is poised to play a pivotal role in the company's journey toward international expansion and operational success.