Bio:

PIERRE-EMMANUEL PARADIS has over 30 years of experience in applied economics and business strategy. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics and a graduate diploma (DESS) in Finance, and has spent his career analyzing complex economic issues to inform both public and private decision-making. In 2012, he founded AppEco, a consulting firm specializing in mandates where economic analysis provides a decisive added value. He has developed advanced quantitative models, conducted numerous surveys, and led projects across a wide range of sectors. A published author of multiple articles and reports, he is also a recognized speaker. Mr. Paradis has testified as an expert before various public bodies, parliamentary committees, and in the media. He is the author of Faites les bons choix: 10 courtes leçons d’économie appliquée, published in September 2020 by Éditions de l’Homme.

AYALA WINEMAN is a Research Scientist for the Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF) and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at Michigan State University (MSU). She holds a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics and has been engaged with GCNF and the Global Survey of School Meal Programs since 2018. Her research relates broadly to food security and agrifood systems transformation, primarily (but not only) in Sub-Saharan Africa. She is especially keen to understand how school meals can be designed to cultivate lifelong demand for nutritious yet under-appreciated foods.

CLAIRE TUGAULT-LAFLEUR is an Associate Professor and Registered Dietitian with over a decade of experience working with families across Quebec, British Columbia, and Ontario. Her doctoral research on children’s school hour dietary quality in Canada highlighted the need for stronger school food programs to address poor nutritional intake. Her work examines how family and community food environments shape children’s and youths’ health, with a focus on equity and lived experience. She collaborates closely with families and young people to generate evidence that supports the development and expansion of school‑provided meals in Canada.

EUNICE OLADEJO is a Government Relations Policy Specialist at UNICEF Canada, where she works on the development and execution of government engagement strategies that advance strong public policies for children and youth in Canada and around the world. She holds a master’s degree in international affairs , grounding her work in evidence-informed advocacy, equitable policy design, and globally informed policy analysis. Eunice previously served in the Canadian public service at Global Affairs Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, where she helped drive key trade negotiations and cabinet-led policy initiatives. Her experience across government and international affairs informs her dedication to fostering inclusive, child-centered policy solutions.

Facilitated by:

AMBERLEY T. RUETZ, Ph. D., is a school food and food policy expert advancing school food and farm-to-school programming nationally and internationally since 2015. In 2024, she was honoured that her report, The Economic Rationale for Investing in School Meal Programs for Canada, was recognized as instrumental in helping persuade the Government of Canada to commit $1 billion to launch the National School Food Program. Through her consultancy, Ruetz Consulting, she also provided baseline data supporting the signing of National School Food Program Agreements. She is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, co-led Canada’s largest analysis of school food program case studies and implementation models, and co-edited School Food Programs in Canada: Models for Success with Dr. Rachel Engler-Stringer.