2026 Speakers

Email Lists & Automation: Grow Your Audience, Save Time, Drive Results

Darian is the Metis founder of Vancouver based PR, digital ads & SEO company Jelly Digital Marketing & PR and digital marketing school, Jelly Academy. He is the host of the podcast Marketing News Canada, loves doing workshops, and volunteers on the board of the Digital Marketing Sector Council and NPower Canada and his local charter community – Waceya.  

He is the editor of IndigenousSME, and freelances with publications like BCBusiness, Future Economy, Globe & Mail, Forbes and Entrepreneur magazine. His recent book Marketing Mentors featuring interviews with Seth Godin, Guy Kawasaki and marketing leads from LEGO, Lululemon and Starbucks is available now wherever you purchase your books. Darian lives in Fort Langley, BC with his wife and four children and likes to mountain bike, swim, grow dahlias and watercolour and read YA novels in his free time. 

Cooking as Storytelling: Inspiring Connections at Farmers’ Markets 

With over 40 years experience in the food industry, Karen Curtis sees herself as a connector. She connects people with food in meaningful ways. As a community kitchen facilitator Karen believes her role is to work with people’s abilities, budgets, and needs to create relevant and useful meals. She is passionate about food security and supporting local farmers and producers. Karen’s adaptive and accessible teaching style means that toddlers through seniors can participate in the creation of beautiful, healthy food. Karen is a past member of Les Dames d’Escoffier. She has experience as a food manufacturer and recipe developer, and is veteran of the farmers market world, successfully running KICS Lemonade for 24 years.

From Overwhelmed to Organized: Smart AI Solutions for Farmers’ Market Teams

Kate Poirier embarked on her journey as a Communications Specialist, bringing a wealth of skills to the table, with a focus on small business development and a passion for technology-driven innovation. Transitioning from this role, she ventured into farm labour, gaining hands-on experience in the field. Now, as the Executive Director of the Cedar Farmers Market, Kate has merged her diverse background in market management, marketing, and data analytics, effectively steering the organization through both
turbulent and transformative change. Her mission centres on inclusivity, utilizing technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to simplify and automate processes for the benefit of all. Join her in exploring the potential of AI in farmers’ markets.

Tomat – Simplifying Coupon Transactions at Farmers’ Markets

Kerri has worked in community development for over 18 years and joined the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets in 2024. She is passionate about building strong, connected communities and supporting local food systems. Kerri enjoys canning, gardening, and spending time outdoors. She lives in Saanich and brings her experience and energy to supporting markets, farmers, and community partners.

From Purpose to Plan: Building a Fundraising Strategy

Kim Peterson (she/her) is an independent fundraising consultant (Cedar Fundraising) specializing in strategy and implementation of core fund development activities for small nonprofits.

Kim has 14 years of experience working both in-house and as a consulting partner with organizations representing a variety of cause areas including STEM education, community services, mental health and the environment. Through Cedar Fundraising she applies her expertise in the “whole” fundraising process, operations and communications to help clients develop and implement strategic annual giving programs through a combination of tactics suited for small shops including integrated campaigns, monthly giving programs and grant writing. In addition to 1:1 consulting work, Kim also delivers training and workshops for board members, volunteers and other fundraisers on the donor journey, fundraising campaigns and monthly giving.

Outside of work Kim enjoys exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her family, and carving out time for herself (between kids’ activities and cohousing meetings) to be artistic and creative.
www.cedarfundraising.ca
kim@cedarfundraising.ca

Tomat – Simplifying Coupon Transactions at Farmers’ Markets

Mandy has been with the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets for four years as a Regional Coordinator, supporting markets and community partners across the province. Passionate about accessibility and community, Mandy loves helping markets grow as welcoming spaces for all. Outside of work, she runs a small hobby farm with chickens and goats, bakes, enjoys the outdoors, and keeps busy with her three kids.

MPowerED People – Creating Positive Relationships & Community

Michelle Tremblay, a founder of MPowerLives Company, is located in the Tri-Cities area in Vancouver’s Lower Mainland. She has worked with over 20,000 participants nationwide and is highly recognized as a powerful speaker, great motivator, and compassionate leader. She is dedicated, committed, and inspired to mpower change in the workplace, schools, and community at large through mental and physical health and wellness strategies, mindfulness, and social and emotional learning.

She believes each individual can feel valued, confident, and responsible through the proper tools, support and workplace conditions. Her corporate work has led her to present to clients such as Work Safe BC, Van-Cities, Fraser Valley Child Development Centres, CPHR, School Districts and Non-for-Profit Agencies.

Michelle holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt with 20 years of Karate training and uses qigong and yoga practices to support mental health and physical wellness for children, adults, and seniors. For over the last 10 years her work has also consisted of teaching, mentoring and coaching children and youth with bully prevention training in school and after school programs, non-for- profit agencies, recreation centres, private organizations, personal and group coaching clients.