Staff & Board
Staff Members
Heather brings over 15 years of leadership experience in non-profit, social enterprise and social innovation to her role as Executive Director at BC Farmers’ Markets. A creative thinker and doer, Heather is passionate about all things farm and food, along with entrepreneurship, small business and empowering the local economy in communities of all shapes and sizes, small and large, rural and urban in all corners of BC.
Heather is an innovative leader and elevator who brings organizations and initiatives to the next level. Prior to joining BC Association of Farmers’ Markets, Heather served as Executive Director with the award winning social enterprise Potluck Café & Catering, which creates jobs and provides healthy, fresh food for people living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, along with a brief role as Executive Producer with CityStudio. Along the way, Heather has mentored and supported dozens of social entrepreneurs, non-profits and social enterprises through various work with Vancity Community Foundation and SFU.
After completing the KPU Tsawwassen Farm School program, Heather founded Filly Farm, an organic, small scale farm demonstration project, horse powered by manure compost. An avid horse lover and owner, Heather lives in Delta on the traditional territory of the Tsawwassen and Musqueam people.
A transplanted prairie girl, Heather acquired her MBA, along with Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies, all from the University of Manitoba.
Peter’s first connection to farming began when he was 12 years old, as a potato picker in Northern Maine. Peter is a founder of the Surrey Urban Farmers Market, which created a locally-funded nutrition coupon program. In BC, Peter has worked with the Certified Organic Associations of BC, the BC Health Living Alliance, and the Surrey-White Rock Food Action Coalition on a number of projects. Peter has been on staff with a Member of Parliament and a Member of the Legislative Assembly. He also worked as a Project Coordinator with Peace Brigades International’s projects in Nepal and Sri Lanka and as a Training Coordinator with Hostelling International in the United States. He has a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations/Mass Communications, from Boston University. Peter lives in New Westminster with his partner, Colleen and their child, Rory.
Quinn was born and raised in Calgary, AB where she spent her life studying dance, taking her across Canada and Europe. She received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary before relocating to BC. She moved to New Westminster in 2018 where she took courses on Small Business Management and got involved with her local Farmers Market. Quinn spent 2 years as Market Manager for the New West Farmers Market and is thrilled to continue her work in this sector with the FMNCP, advocating for local farmers and food security. When not at work Quinn enjoys baking, yoga, exploring nature, and tending to her collection of houseplants.
Meredith grew up in Nova Scotia, lived in Toronto, Calgary and Dublin before settling down in Vancouver. She joined the BCAFM team in May 2018. She is a mother of three children and spends her time volunteering with many organizations including preparing family meals once a month at Ronald McDonald House. She works part time with the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets and also with the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. She has an affinity for the outdoors and loves back country camping, kayaking, hiking and skiing.
Melissa is an event planning and logistics professional with over 15 years of experience. She has previously worked with the Surrey Urban Farmers Market, New Westminster Farmers Market and most recently was the Executive Director of the Fraser North Farmers Market Society overseeing the management of the Port Coquitlam and Haney Farmers Markets. She is an award winning fundraiser and has assisted in generating over $1 million in revenue for the BC SPCA helping animals in need of veterinary care. Melissa is dedicated to helping small businesses succeed and enjoys working with passionate individuals who are contributing to the well-being and economic success of their communities.When not thinking about or visiting farmers markets Melissa is hanging out with her young son, Logan in the City of Port Coquitlam. During her “off” time she loves to preserve food, bake yummy cakes and go camping and explore British Columbia.
Jocelyn grew up in Vancouver, B.C., and is currently a student at BCIT’s Business Administration Program specializing in Marketing. She joined the BCAFM team in April 2022 and currently works part-time. Previously, she has managed social media platforms and PR relations in various small businesses. She is passionate about sharing the stories of farmers through the use of different mediums of communication. Jocelyn also enjoys hiking, long walks, and checking out events + new foods around the city during her free time!
Originally from rural Ontario Courtney moved to British Columbia at the end of 2016 in search of new adventure. Starting in 2017 she began working as a farm hand on a Certified organic farm in Mara B.C. and never looked back! She has worked in the Shuswap, Sea to Sky, and has found her place in the East Kootenays. An avid farmers market goer as both a vendor and consumer, when the opportunity to work for BCAFM was posted she applied. Courtney began working with the BCAFM as a FMNCP Regional Coordinator in October 2022 and loves being part of such a passionate team. She calls Radium Hot Springs home with her husband Drew, and fluffy pooch Tupper. When she’s not working, she enjoys mountain biking, climbing, and trail running. Mandy grew up in the coastal village of Sechelt and developed a love and appreciation for artisans and farm to table food. When it was time to start her family, she moved to the TNRD with her husband. Since moving to Clearwater, she started working with the Food Security Program and the Clearwater Farmer’s Market. She is passionate about Food Security and ensuring that everyone has access to affordable, nutritious food. She is a mom of three small children and can usually be found in the kitchen of the Community Centre and loves to make elaborate cakes. Kerri lived part time on Pender Island where she dove into raising chickens, gardening, and tending to an orchard. Kerri now lives in Saanich, where she’s continuing to blend her passions for community and nature. Her journey reflects a commitment to living sustainably and connecting with people and the environment in meaningful ways. Kerri is excited to collaborate with incredible partners and markets to bring healthy local foods to the community and support farmers. Emily grew up on a small farm in a farming and fishing community and has had a strong connection to food and farming from a young age. She has years of experience working in agriculture both on farms and in the non-profit sector. She has a degree in Sustainable Community Development and Anthropology from SFU and is passionate about building community around food. She runs her own photography and videography business focussing primarily on food, beverage, and hospitality. Emily loves to spend her days off with her partner, Alexa, and sweet pooch, Stevie – visiting the dog beach, chasing the next local beer, trying out new food spots! Stacey is a communications and grant professional with a passion for non-profits. She has worked with organizations throughout BC and Canada and uses her versatile (some say eclectic) skillset to make organizations stronger, more vocal and more engaging than ever. Backed by a degree in creative writing from the University of Victoria, she loves nothing more than supporting members in every way possible, from streamlining communications and implementing new technology to delivering grants and helping lift new projects off the ground. Outside of work, Stacey enjoys impromptu cold water swims, long hikes, her beloved house rabbit Ginger, expanding her English pea garden, and most of all spending time with her husband and two young kids. Jasmine is a marketing and communications professional and holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Simon Fraser University. Her love of gardening and passion for local food systems inspired her to move from her home town of Vancouver to Maple Ridge and establish her own small regenerative farm. She is deeply committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship, values that guide her in both her professional endeavours and personal life. She balances her time working for BCAFM, operating her farm, and raising two daughters. Gaby is a designer and communicator. She has a diverse background in health science, paramedicine, and graphic design. Gaby is passionate about design as a means to educate, inspire and empower communities. She is very excited to be part of the team at BC Association of Farmers’ Markets working to support farmers and farmers’ markets in BC. In her spare time Gaby enjoys spending time with her rather large brown lab. Kate’s love of good food and the idea that food is medicine brought her to CSNN where she graduated with merit as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist in 2011. While studying at CSNN, Kate volunteered with Vancouver Farmers’ Markets, gaining experience growing organic herbs and selling at the market. She went on to become an artisan vendor at multiple lower mainland markets. In 2018 Kate became owner/manager of the Vancouver branch of CSNN. By being a business owner, Kate found her love of finance and bookkeeping and enrolled in the Professional Bookkeepers Certification program at Langara college, to be completed in April 2021. In 2020, Kate took on the role as Site Manager for the Sechelt Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market and looking forward to continuing with this role in 2021. When Kate is not hard at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the beauty of the Sunshine Coast, tending to her garden or making new connections in the community.
Board Members