Bio:

TENNESHA JOSEPH is a Project Manager at 8 80 Cities. She is an urban planner and nighttime safety advocate with a strong commitment to creating more welcoming and inviting spaces for people of all ages. With a background in urban planning and sociology, she brings expertise in community engagement, participatory design, and creative placemaking. 

MALEAH OMARI (she/her) is a Project Coordinator with Ophea, a not-for-profit organization supporting the health and learning of children and youth. She has a background in Kinesiology and Health Promotion, bringing experience from working in community focused settings. She is committed to creating safe and engaging environments that encourage participation in physical activity. Currently, she is working on the Growing Healthy Places: Mississauga project, where community partners come together to improve access to nourishing food and physical activity opportunities to support school-aged children feel valued and included through building healthy, active lifestyles and enhancing their overall well-being. 

AVNI SOMA is a scientist, food systems advocate, and has been active in public policy and community advocacy related to food systems and equitable food access. After seeing the role food plays in shaping school culture, she started a parent-led hot lunch program at her children’s Francophone school in rural Alberta with support from Farm to Cafeteria Canada. The program was later featured by Radio-Canada. Avni serves on the Steering Committee of the Coalition for Healthy School Food and on the board of Alberta Food Matters. She co-founded Alpine Edible Schoolyards and helped launch Farm Box, a local food social enterprise. During her family’s stay in Québec, she has become increasingly interested in the governance of school food programs and the questions that come with it: Who decides what food enters schools? How are parents, students, and teachers involved? And how can food programs support both food literacy and long-term sustainability?

ASHA HAYWOOD is a graduate student at the University of Calgary completing a Master of Arts in Geography, with research focused on school food programs and governance. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from McGill University and a Graduate Certificate in Evaluation from the University of Victoria, with training in culturally responsive evaluation. Asha has contributed to national research examining governance structures within food alliance non-profits and is currently conducting research titled: Understanding How Children Envision School Food Programs: A Participatory Mixed-Methods Evaluation with Children. She brings experience in project coordination, community engagement, and youth mentorship to her work.   

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.

EMMA ROE is a master’s student in Nutrition and Food Biosciences at the University of Ottawa, where her work focuses on evidence synthesis and youth nutrition research. She is the project coordinator for the youth‑led Reimagining School Food Programs research initiative, supporting young people in designing and conducting peer‑driven research and coordinating timelines, resources, and team processes. Emma is passionate about creating projects that elevate youth voice and autonomy.

KARIN FREEMAN is a creative and dynamic facilitator and the Manager of Youth Programming at the Parkdale Food Centre. With a background in food systems, sustainable and small-scale farming, and youth engagement, she works at the intersection of food justice, community connection, and youth leadership. Karin is passionate about creating inclusive, justice-oriented spaces where young people are trusted as leaders, supported to grow, and empowered to shape change in their communities.

EMILIE WATERS is the Youth Coordinator of the Parkdale Food Centre, where she helps design and facilitate initiatives that center youth voice and leadership. She holds a Master’s degree in Sociology and brings a strong background in qualitative and community-based participatory research. Emilie is passionate about co-creating inclusive, empowering, and equity-driven programs alongside young people. She is bilingual and facilitates youth programming in both English and French.

RAIHAN OLALERE is a high school student living in Ottawa who participated in this initiative as a youth health researcher.