Experience

Farmers' Markets of Nova Scotia

• Canada
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • Oct 2018 - Present

  Responsible for the day-to-day management of a non-profit cooperative comprised of over 40 farmers’ markets throughout Nova Scotia. As Executive Director, I help our cooperative advance growth and prosperity for our member farmers’ markets and their vendors through training, resources, advocacy, promotion, and our community of practice. Responsible for grant writing, budget management, program and project development and coordination, liaising with government and industry working groups, outreach, advocacy, and the management of members, staff, and volunteers.



Canadian Farmers' Markets

• President

  • Nov 2020 - Present

  Canadian Farmers’ Markets is a coalition of farmers’ market associations building and strengthening local food systems across the country. We are a nationwide forum for collaboration and advocacy and the voice of Canada’s farmers’ market sector.Our mission is to create a unified, nationally represented coalition of farmers' market sector voices which support thriving local food systems and the economic, social, and cultural prosperity of their individual communities across Canada.More info: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13991507/



Afishionado Fishmongers

• Canada
• Consumer Goods
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Sustainable Seafood Specialist

  • Sep 2016 - Mar 2018

  Sustainable seafood wholesaler, selling direct to restaurants, retailers, and institutions. Maximized the value of truly sustainable seafood by connecting small-scale, community-based fishers and aquaculturalists with high value markets. Built traceable and transparent value chains to promote price fairness, storytelling, and renewed connections between consumers and fishers in the marketplace. Sustainable seafood wholesaler, selling direct to restaurants, retailers, and institutions. Maximized the value of truly sustainable seafood by connecting small-scale, community-based fishers and aquaculturalists with high value markets. Built traceable and transparent value chains to promote price fairness, storytelling, and renewed connections between consumers and fishers in the marketplace.



Ecology Action Centre

• Canada
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Sustainable Fisheries Campaigner

  • Sep 2013 - Sep 2016

  Implemented practical solutions to promote the sustainability of small-scale fisheries and coastal communities. Worked with private, non-profit, and government sectors on a variety of duties including market analysis and expansion for local seafood, scientific and social advocacy, and grant writing. Worked with various organizations to serve as a bridge between small-scale fisheries and the localization and food security movements. Implemented practical solutions to promote the sustainability of small-scale fisheries and coastal communities. Worked with private, non-profit, and government sectors on a variety of duties including market analysis and expansion for local seafood, scientific and social advocacy, and grant writing. Worked with various organizations to serve as a bridge between small-scale fisheries and the localization and food security movements.



Summerhill Group

• Canada
• Strategic Management Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Energy Efficiency Auditor / Quality Assurance Officer

  • Aug 2012 - Aug 2013

  Key player in the management of a province-wide team. Performed comprehensive energy efficiency audits for Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation. Liaised with businesses and clientele to identify new opportunities for efficiency programs. Conducted quality assurance reviews focusing on improving effectiveness of commercial energy efficiency projects. Key player in the management of a province-wide team. Performed comprehensive energy efficiency audits for Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation. Liaised with businesses and clientele to identify new opportunities for efficiency programs. Conducted quality assurance reviews focusing on improving effectiveness of commercial energy efficiency projects.



Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada

• Contracted Researcher

  • May 2011 - Mar 2012

  In-field ecological surveying, data collection and assimilation, and production of detailed data sets. Produced reports on best management practices and research priorities in the small-scale organic sector, and wrote two newspaper articles. Personally developed and proposed project and funding approved by OACC’s executive director. In-field ecological surveying, data collection and assimilation, and production of detailed data sets. Produced reports on best management practices and research priorities in the small-scale organic sector, and wrote two newspaper articles. Personally developed and proposed project and funding approved by OACC’s executive director.



Dalhousie University

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Teaching Assistant

  • Sep 2010 - Dec 2011

  Prepared, organized, and led weekly tutorials for foundation level course. Facilitated group discussions and group projects. Assisted in the development of students’ writing and presenting skills and the comprehension and synthesis of complex course materials. Responsible for grading all projects.

• Research Assistant

  • Jan 2011 - May 2011

  Co-authored a conference paper on the sustainability of blending industrial ecology with marine coastal management and development in Cuba. Report submitted to the 2010 International Conference on Integrated Management of Coastal Zones, entitled Industrial Symbiosis as a Concept for Sustainable Development within Cuba’s Coastal Zones.



World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms Canada

• Self-Designed Master's Internship

  • May 2011 - Sep 2011

  Created all proposals, design, research, and data compilation for a graduate project that resulted in a final report: "Addressing the Lack of Economic Feasibility for Small-scale Organic Farmers in Canada". Presented project proposals to executive directors and successfully acquired funding for project. Surveyed and compiled information for reports through qualitative and quantitative methods. Wrote blog posts for WWOOF Canada and filmed footage for a documentary film (produced in 2011-12). Created all proposals, design, research, and data compilation for a graduate project that resulted in a final report: "Addressing the Lack of Economic Feasibility for Small-scale Organic Farmers in Canada". Presented project proposals to executive directors and successfully acquired funding for project. Surveyed and compiled information for reports through qualitative and quantitative methods. Wrote blog posts for WWOOF Canada and filmed footage for a documentary film (produced in 2011-12).



No Farms No Food

• Researcher and Report Writer

  • Jan 2011 - May 2011

  Played a central role in researching, writing, and producing a policy report for non-profit organization No Farms No Food entitled "Food Security in Nova Scotia". Played a central role in researching, writing, and producing a policy report for non-profit organization No Farms No Food entitled "Food Security in Nova Scotia".



Pictou Regional Development Agency

• Project Communications Leader

  • Sep 2010 - Dec 2010

  Managed all communication with stakeholders and host company director. Promoted the consensus building and cooperation of business leaders, farmers, and other stakeholders to develop a sustainable community energy development project for the region using pelletized energy-dense grass species. Managed all communication with stakeholders and host company director. Promoted the consensus building and cooperation of business leaders, farmers, and other stakeholders to develop a sustainable community energy development project for the region using pelletized energy-dense grass species.



Clean Foundation

• Canada
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Program Officer

  • May 2010 - Sep 2010

  Assisted with the coordination of two energy efficiency programs and a province-wide team. Responsible for daily scheduling of installers and arranging appointments with clients. Responsible for internal and external quality assurance, including resolving public queries. Assisted with the coordination of two energy efficiency programs and a province-wide team. Responsible for daily scheduling of installers and arranging appointments with clients. Responsible for internal and external quality assurance, including resolving public queries.