Coordinator

Hello, I’m Cat, the coordinator here at VFTP ! I’m in constant awe of the Vancouver Fruit Tree Project & so grateful to be a part of it. A true grassroots organization, that just at it’s core responds to the intersectionality of food issues in the city and brings the community together :) 

I have a schooling background in Conversation/Environmental Studies & have always been interested in food systems and how they relate to the well-being of people & environment. So glad to have met so many amazing people  through the project and to have discovered Quinces in the city!

Board President

Hello, my name is Madeleine. I am a settler of British descent, and I grew up in the Dish with One Spoon Treaty Territory, in the city now known as Toronto. I am grateful to call the traditional, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Skxwú7mesh Nations my home. 

The Dish with One Spoon Treaty, originally forged between the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Confederacies, is a peace agreement that calls on us to recognize that we eat from a shared dish, with a single spoon. We have responsibilities to each other and the territory to take only what we need, share in our abundance and care for the land and each other. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Vancouver Fruit Tree Project, as an avenue to put these principles into practice and to meet like-spirited people across this city.

Board Vice -President

Hola! I am Erika from Mexico, living in Vancouver for the last 12 years. After many years enjoying this beautiful land, I am so honored to be able to be part of VFTP and contribute to reduce food waste and donate fruit to amazing organizations. Local markets are my favorite hobby. I enjoy buying local food and supporting small businesses. My career is Industrial Engineer with experience in Supply Chain, Business and Project Management. I’ve been volunteering for more than 20 years in many different organizations. Why?  “Because in the act of giving lies the expression of my aliveness” -Erich Fromm.

Board Member at Large

Hi there! My name is Shokoofeh and I am thrilled and honoured to be serving as a Board Member for the VFTP. I'm a climate and sustainability strategy professional with a deep passion for building a more resilient and equitable food system. Food has always been central to my identity. Growing up as a Canadian-born Iranian, it connected me to my culture and family abroad. As I became more aware of climate change and resource exploitation threatening our food system, I felt a personal responsibility to take action. This commitment has shaped my career, leading me to focus on sustainable food systems transformation. Beyond my passion for food systems resilience, I love to travel, hike, cycle, snowboard, run, and lift weights. I'm also a huge matcha and coffee lover and love to explore new cafes in the city.

I look forward to connecting with the community and helping drive forward VFTP's mission. Please feel free to connect with me at shokoofeh@vancouverfruittree.com.

Board Member at Large

I’m Julia, a relatively new arrival to the west coast of Canada, where I am grateful to have gotten to know the beautiful and bountiful lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations through my involvement in the Vancouver Fruit Tree Project.

Food security and sustainable agriculture have been interests of mine for most of my adult life, perhaps because I come from a long line of farmers. For the past 10 years I’ve had the pleasure of volunteering and working in these domains across several major cities in Canada, including so-called Montréal, Toronto, and now Vancouver. Having volunteered with a similar urban fruit harvesting initiative in Montréal (Les fruits défendus), I am thrilled to continue working towards increasing accessibility of fresh, local food, reducing food waste, and building community in this new place I call home. 

Board Member at Large

Hi, I'm Julia! I first got involved with the Vancouver Fruit Tree Project as a volunteer last summer, and the experience — the people, the purpose, and yes, the fruit — left a lasting impression. What started as a few picks quickly turned into a genuine passion for what VFTP stands for: reducing food waste and making fresh, local food accessible to everyone in our community. I knew I wanted to find a way to contribute more and the board was the perfect fit.

By day, I work in project management and website management, with a background leading teams at various start-up businesses. I love taking complex, messy challenges and breaking them down into clear, manageable steps that move things forward. I'm hoping to bring that same energy to the board and help support the incredible work this organization does. So glad to be here!

Board Member at Large

Hi there, I’m Carol, Canadian-born Chinese and lucky to call Vancouver my home all of my life. As an Urban Planner by trade, UBC graduate and postgraduate from University of Calgary, I enjoy the process of community building and connecting to the natural environment through neighbourhood parks and gardens. The Vancouver Fruit Tree Project is a perfect opportunity to bring my shared inspiration of growing/harvesting fruit and supporting nature within the local community. I am open to all areas to sustain, develop and promote this long-standing project in Vancouver; with special interest in public outreach and continuous investment, monitoring & evaluation of key initiatives benefiting stakeholders, volunteers, and community members. 

Guest Researcher