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!"
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Can't live without:
"Dark chocolate with almonds!"
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KIRAN BAINS, MSc, RD
Founder/Facilitator of FVP
Registered Dietitian
Owner of edovivo and Kiki's Kookies
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Favorite thing about working in food industry:
"Every day is so different when you're in this industry. It keeps life interesting!"
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Can't live without:
"Salted butter and high-fat dairy products!"
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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. "
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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."
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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."
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Something you couldn't live without:
"Apple cider vinegar and citrus juice - basically anything that provides acidity to a dish."
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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"
AMANDA KLARER
Director of Food Systems Resilience
Value Chain Enrichment Consultant
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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.
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WINNIE CHIU
Project Manager, Innovation at EarthFresh Foods
30 years experienced Food Scientist specializing in product development and applied research to commercialization.
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Favorite thing about working in food industry:
"The diversity and variety of products."
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Something you couldn't live without:
"Citrus fruit!"
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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!"​
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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"
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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.
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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"
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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!"
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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"
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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"
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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?
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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!
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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
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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
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KRISTA CHARBONNEAU, MHSc(c)
Creative Manager @ FVP
Owner of Nourished Properly
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
So many opportunities to try new things!
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Something you couldn't live without:
Garlic and cheese
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DOMENIQUE MASTRONARDI, MASc
Favorite thing about working in food industry:
The people you meet​
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Something you couldn't live without:
Coffee!