Team

SIMA GANDHI
Founder/Facilitator of FVP
Experiential Ed Designer & Facilitator
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
"Love the people in the food innovation ecosystem!"
Can't live without:
"Dark chocolate with almonds!"

KIRAN BAINS, MSc, RD
Founder/Facilitator of FVP
Registered Dietitian
Owner of edovivo and Kiki's Kookies
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
"Every day is so different when you're in this industry. It keeps life interesting!"
Can't live without:
"Salted butter and high-fat dairy products!"

ANDREAS DUESS
Founder Audacious Marketing
Co Founder Nourish Marketing
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
"The people and the collaboration. People help and support each other to a degree I haven't seen in other industries. "
Something you couldn't live without:
" Functional mushrooms have become a huge part of my routine. I take chaga and cordyceps for energy, lion's mane to help me focus and reishi to relax and sleep."

KAREN CARDONA
Founder/Owner, True Leaves Consulting
Food & Beverage concept to commercialization
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
"I love visiting food production plants and learning about the different processes used to automate production."
Something you couldn't live without:
"Apple cider vinegar and citrus juice - basically anything that provides acidity to a dish."

NICOLE HANEY
Food Industry Business Coach
Sales and Distribution
Favorite thing about working in the food industry:
“I love the passion of food entrepreneurs who want to share their love of delicious food with the world!.”
Something you couldn’t live without:
"Dark chocolate and spending time by the ocean"
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AMANDA KLARER
Director of Food Systems Resilience
Value Chain Enrichment Consultant
10+ years of experience in urban & rural global agri-food value chains
Favorite thing about working in the food industry:
“Everyone eats. Food connects us all. We all have something to learn.”
Something you couldn’t live without:
“Farmers”

ANTONY UPWARD
Founder of Flourishing Business Canvas
Certified Management Consultant
Favorite thing about working in the food industry:
“Helping entrepreneurs see the opportunities in aiming to be socially beneficial, environmentally regenerative and financially viable"
Something you couldn’t live without:
"Fresh locally grown peaches"
LISA COVE
Founder of Co-Motion Packaging Solutions
10+ years as packaging and food safety expert
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
Watching a product come to life from the idea to the store shelves (and all the taste tests in between!)
Something you couldn't live without:
My spice cupboard and online recipes.

WINNIE CHIU
Project Manager, Innovation at EarthFresh Foods
30 years experienced Food Scientist specializing in product development and applied research to commercialization.
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
"The diversity and variety of products."
Something you couldn't live without:
"Citrus fruit!"

DEREK VELLA
Director and Instructor - Guelph Food Innovation Centre
Product Developer/Consultant
Chef
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
"I get to be creative, technical and academic all at the same time - in a field that I still love to learn about everyday."
Can't live without:
"Chilies - fresh, dried, smoked, fermented"

WERNER MULLER
CEO - Create Value
Circularity and Food System Sustainability Expert
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
"Everyday is so different. I enjoy working with entrepreneurs who have such various backgrounds and expertise"
Can't live without:
"A good aged goat cheese with my favorite European red wine"

JOANNA WOJEWODA
Food Photographer, retoucher, and educator with 10+ years of experience working with international and local businesses
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
"The excitement and energy that come with the creative and collaborative process of creating drool worthy marketing assets is always a treat, and so is the opportunity to try food that I may have never reached for on my own!."
Something you couldn't live without:
"My backyard vegetable garden!"

DON BOURNE
Founder, Bourne Principles, Entrepreneurship Consulting.
Mentor at Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre, Georgian College
Owner of a thriving bakery x 20 years
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
"Passionate about helping entrepreneurs start, build and grow profitable companies.."
Something you couldn't live without:
"Small batch beef jerky"

ANITA LAMONTAGNE
Business Development and Client Service Advisor
Founder of Anita's Ohm Cooking
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
"Food is love! There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the togetherness that food brings."
Something you couldn't live without:
"Freshly made bread with churned scape butter."

BRIAN MARCH
Sales Director, Ontario & Western Canada, Food & Beverage Division, Sani Marc Inc.
21 Years Food Industry experience
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
"Ever-changing, never boring, always challenging and intriguing, the food industry offers many most fulfilling careers."
Something you couldn't live without:
"Quiet morning coffee time"

DAN SCMITT
Founder of Jigsaw Business Consulting
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
"The variety of innovative ideas that entrepreneurs come up with"
Something you couldn't live without:
"Crunchy potato chips!"

CLAIRE COX
Owner of CCox Social
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
People who work in this industry are passionate, creative, resilient, and hard working and I love watching people find new ways for us to enjoy food!
Something you couldn't live without:
"A big bowl of ramen"

ROBERT SMITH
Founder of Green Melon Inc
Food Product Branding Expert
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
Food entrepreneurs are the most passionate and engaged clients. And the samples, of course!
Something you couldn't live without:
"Raspberries"

PATRICK MCCLARY
President/CEO CORE Food & Beverage Profit Consulting
35+ years as Red Seal Chef/Food and Beverage Director
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
Everyday is a new exciting adventure with the most interesting people
Something you couldn't live without:
Chocolate and chocolate... did I mention chocolate?

JESS BROOKS
Owner of Brooks Cooks
Social Media Expert
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
Meeting others who love to cook and eat too.
Something you couldn't live without:
A banana with a (huge) spoonful of peanut butter!

SHAWN P WALCHEF
Owner of Cali BBQ and
Cali BBQ Media
Expert in Digital Hospitality
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
Welcoming new strangers and creating memorable experiences that allow them to leave as forever friends.
Something you couldn't live without:
Avocados

ADAM LAMB
Culinary Career Coach
Best Selling Author
Chef
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
The relationships that are forged through a shared purpose and commitment.
Something you couldn't live without:
King Crab Legs

KRISTA CHARBONNEAU
Creative Assistant
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
So many opportunities to try new things!
Something you couldn't live without:
Garlic and cheese
