A dedicated community advocate with a passion for fostering connections and supporting people through innovative and inclusive community food programs.
Highlights of Qualifications
Program Management
Holistic approach to understanding nutrition
Grant Writing and Resoucree Management
Collaboration
Grant Writing and Resource Management
Training and facilitation skills
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Food Security Manager
Strathcona Community Centre Association
11.2021 - Current
Manage the Food Security Team, overseeing diverse programs such as the Breakfast Program, Food Distribution programs, community kitchen for both adults and youth, food preservation workshops and food skill sharing workshops
Adapt programs objectives based on community feedback to meet the specific needs of the community
Manage grants, reporting and resource allocation to support program sustainability and growth
Collaborated with Ancestral Food Ways to purchase traditional foods to be used in local cultural celebrations, educational experience and providing foods for elders in the Strathcona Community
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders such as the Vancouver School Board, Vancouver Parks Board, Neighbourhood Food Network and the Food Justice Network
Provide support for food preservation sessions, both online and in person sessions in collaboration with the First Nations Healthy Authority
Develop evaluations, collecting data and stories to support essential grant proposal and annual reports
Lead and a support a passionate and dedicated team of 7 through meetings, reviews and job descriptions
Maintain all food safety plans, protocol & procedures for 2 onsite kitchens as well as all daily, weekly, monthly and yearly cleaning schedules to maintain our Vancouver Coastal Health inspected kitchen permit.
Usher
The Cultch Theatre
01.2018 - Current
Food and Education Coordinator
01.2017 - 11.2022
Developed and implemented comprehensive food skills programs, introducing 7 new workshops, including a highly successful 3 part nutrition series in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health Dieticians and a full day knife skills workshop with Project Chef
Organized training sessions for program facilitators, volunteers and staff such as FoodSafe Level 1, First Aid, Anti-Oppression and Mental Health First Aid
Mentored and trained community food program coordinators and facilitate workshops such as the 1 day Train the Trainer Canning workshop, the 2 day Train the Train Canning Workshop and led yearly roundtables
Collaborated with First Nations Health Authority to develop their “Canning Foods Guide” as well as provided ongoing support for facilitators leading food preservation workshops in their communities, including a 2 day gathering at UBC Campus
Increased access to the GVFB food literacy programs by developing an application process, resources and guidelines for offsite workshops hosted in community organizations such as Housing Organizations, Single Room Occupancy buildings (SRO’s), Neighbourhood Houses, Community Centers and libraries
Developed a corporate revenue stream to support food literacy activities
Created food safety plans, protocols & procedures for preparing food on and off site as well as weekly, monthly, and yearly cleaning schedules to maintain our Fraser Health inspected kitchen permit.
Delivery Driver
Grandview Woodland Food Connection Food
05.2020 - 09.2021
First
Burnaby Food
Secretary
09.2016 - 09.2018
Community Agency Coordinator
01.2012 - 01.2016
Built and maintained relationships with 90+ community partners
Implemented the organizations first agency renewal and report back application that provided the first formal method for agencies to share numbers and program goals
Initiated the GVFB townhall meetings that resulted in improved relationships with community partners
Implemented a new food ordering process for warehouse agencies receiving food allowing them to have choice in food they receive and in quantities they could use
Created timelines for changes to the agency program that involved a shared calendar with key dates for GVFB staff, a messaging plan with our Communications team, townhalls and focus groups
Attended community meetings such as DTES Kitchen Tables, Burnaby Food First and Vancouver Policy Council
Food Sort Coordinator
01.2008 - 01.2012
Managed the volunteers who were sorting the donated food
Hide Tanning, foraging, cooking, food preservation and herbal medicine
RECENT WORKSHOPS, COURSES AND CONFERENCES
Anti-Oppression Training - Shura Consulting & Engagement 2022
FoodSafe Level 2- Vancouver Coastal Health 2019
Non-Violent Conflict Resolution- Jillian Ratcliff2019
Mental Health First Aid -Canadian Mental Health Association 2019
<ul>
<li>Spearhead the management and oversight of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) project, a pivotal national asset developed in partnership with the U.S</li>
<li>Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S</li>
<li>Department of Homeland Security (DHS)</li>
<li>Collaborate with USDA and DHS stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition of operations and mission capabilities from the aging Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) to NBAF, ensuring uninterrupted research, diagnostics, and training essential to national security</li>
<li>Lead the operational endurance phase, validating work processes and laboratory setups to guarantee compliance with the highest safety and biocontainment standards, particularly in biosafety level-4 (BSL-4) environments</li>
<li>Act as the hiring manager, conducting interviews and selecting high-quality employees to ensure the success of both DCA and NBAF</li>
<li>Serve as a subject matter expert pert for the payroll system Paychex, overseeing and approving payroll for 63 officers biweekly while managing paid time off and leave requests to maintain the security posture for the facility</li>
<li>Monitor project milestones, providing critical updates to senior management and stakeholders while ensuring alignment with USDA's mission objectives and federal guidelines</li>
<li>Direct the development and execution of strategic initiatives to facilitate efficient collaboration with federal partners, ensuring all laboratory operations adhere to regulatory requirements set forth by the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP)</li>
<li>Foster a culture of excellence and professionalism within the team, emphasizing rigorous training, safety compliance, and operational integrity as key components of NBAF's mission to safeguard public health and the nation's food supply</li>
<li>Monitored budgeting activities by tracking expenditures and providing regular updates to management.</li>
<li>Analyzed existing processes within a department or organization in order to identify areas for improvement or increased efficiency.</li>
<li>Implemented quality control measures throughout each stage of a project's lifecycle.</li>
<li>Worked closely with senior managers to ensure that all projects were completed according to schedule.</li>
<li>Conducted research on potential vendors, suppliers, contractors and subcontractors for projects.</li>
<li>Provided administrative support to the Project Manager in order to facilitate successful project outcomes.</li>
<li>Prepared monthly progress reports summarizing key accomplishments achieved since the last report.</li>
<li>Trained junior staff on best practices for managing multiple projects simultaneously.</li>
</ul> at Defense Contracting Activity, LLC<ul>
<li>Spearhead the management and oversight of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) project, a pivotal national asset developed in partnership with the U.S</li>
<li>Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S</li>
<li>Department of Homeland Security (DHS)</li>
<li>Collaborate with USDA and DHS stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition of operations and mission capabilities from the aging Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) to NBAF, ensuring uninterrupted research, diagnostics, and training essential to national security</li>
<li>Lead the operational endurance phase, validating work processes and laboratory setups to guarantee compliance with the highest safety and biocontainment standards, particularly in biosafety level-4 (BSL-4) environments</li>
<li>Act as the hiring manager, conducting interviews and selecting high-quality employees to ensure the success of both DCA and NBAF</li>
<li>Serve as a subject matter expert pert for the payroll system Paychex, overseeing and approving payroll for 63 officers biweekly while managing paid time off and leave requests to maintain the security posture for the facility</li>
<li>Monitor project milestones, providing critical updates to senior management and stakeholders while ensuring alignment with USDA's mission objectives and federal guidelines</li>
<li>Direct the development and execution of strategic initiatives to facilitate efficient collaboration with federal partners, ensuring all laboratory operations adhere to regulatory requirements set forth by the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP)</li>
<li>Foster a culture of excellence and professionalism within the team, emphasizing rigorous training, safety compliance, and operational integrity as key components of NBAF's mission to safeguard public health and the nation's food supply</li>
<li>Monitored budgeting activities by tracking expenditures and providing regular updates to management.</li>
<li>Analyzed existing processes within a department or organization in order to identify areas for improvement or increased efficiency.</li>
<li>Implemented quality control measures throughout each stage of a project's lifecycle.</li>
<li>Worked closely with senior managers to ensure that all projects were completed according to schedule.</li>
<li>Conducted research on potential vendors, suppliers, contractors and subcontractors for projects.</li>
<li>Provided administrative support to the Project Manager in order to facilitate successful project outcomes.</li>
<li>Prepared monthly progress reports summarizing key accomplishments achieved since the last report.</li>
<li>Trained junior staff on best practices for managing multiple projects simultaneously.</li>
</ul> at Defense Contracting Activity, LLC
Food Security and Livelihoods Manager at Gender Equity And Women's Leadership ProgramFood Security and Livelihoods Manager at Gender Equity And Women's Leadership Program
Food Security & Livelihood Program Manager at Citizen Organization for Advocacy and Resilience (COAR)Food Security & Livelihood Program Manager at Citizen Organization for Advocacy and Resilience (COAR)