For over a decade, David’s career has centred around social and community development, academic research, and climate policy. Prior to joining OFN Canada, he worked as an academic literary critic studying climate change and speculative fiction.

Inspired by the food sovereignty and agroecology movements, and looking for ways to contribute to climate action in a more practical and hands-on way, David joined OFN Canada in 2020. He was drawn to OFN’s open source values and its commitment to supporting the growth of regenerative agrifood systems. As Executive Director, his goal is to grow the organisation and scale its impact by partnering with communities who share OFN’s commitment to building more regenerative and inclusive agrifood systems, and by ensuring that we develop the technologies that best serve their needs.

Though no longer academic, David is still a nerd at heart! He is an avid reader of speculative fiction, a lover of electronic dance music, and an enthusiastic gardener and cook. There are few things he enjoys more in life than a good live music event, or pint on a patio with friends.

Karla has an educational background in ecology (B.Sc, Guelph; M.Sc, Trent) and has always had a passion for healthy sustainable food. When the farmers’ market in her community went fallow, she became involved in growing and managing the market into one that thrives today.

Karla is passionate about working at OFN to help farmers and producers use technology to scale their businesses and expand their markets.

When not cooking, preserving or fermenting with great local products, Karla enjoys working in her small backyard garden, appreciating the challenge and delight of growing her own food.

With a passion for food justice and equity, Theresa was drawn to Open Food Network’s mission, and was responsible for launching the platform here in Canada in 2016 as a national not-for-profit. In her current role at OFN, Theresa focuses on supporting sustainable local flower farms, and exploring ways the platform can contribute to the growth of flower farms across Canada.  

In the off season when not farming, Theresa turns her creativity to faux painting and furniture upcycling.

Living in Tio’tia:ke (colonially known as Montreal), Fred’s academic studies are centered around the relationship between art, landscape and extractivism. He is currently pursuing a PhD at Concordia university, looking more closely at the use of forests as Canadian natural symbol and as a vibrant example of mutualism and collaboration between species and matter.

Growing up in a Settler-Sicilian family, Fred was fortunate enough to not only know where their food was from but to learn how it was made. From an early age, food was understood culturally and enacted through a practice of care. Over the years, Fred has worked in various food related position, from retail, logistics and in the service industry. Getting to work in environments with a close proximity to growers fueled his desire to take a more active role in food sovereignty.

In his free time, when he’s not in his kitchen concocting, grilling or fermenting, you can usually find Fred playing tabletop wargaming with friends, but only after a nice shared meal.

After earning a Master’s degree in Language and Professional Writing, Rebecca spent several years working in the public sector before moving on to a freelance career in writing, editing and communications.

Motivated by a belief in grassroots change, she began volunteering with OFN in 2021 and joined the team the following year. In her role as Marketing and Communications Coordinator, she finds it gratifying to learn about, share and promote small-scale solutions everyday.

In her free time, Rebecca helps to run a community garden in her neighbourhood and is known to become emotionally attached to seedlings.