Sherry Stevenson (she/her)

Executive Director

Sherry has a passion for social and environmental justice and is inspired by community-based initiatives for social impact. She previously led community food initiatives with the Food Action Team of the Ecology Action Centre (Halifax) and has worked with farmers markets, food networks, and food justice advocates.

With a background in international cooperation and global non-profits, she specializes in leading collaborative high-performing teams, managing community engagement programs, and strengthening partnerships across sectors. Community is at the heart of her approach, applying inclusive and social justice lens – to create, collaborate, and learn together. Sherry holds an M.A. in Adult Education with a specialization in Community Development from Saint Francis Xavier University.
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ED@freshroots.ca

Farm Team

Camille Flanjak

Camille Flanjak (she/they)

Director of Farming and Operations

Camille is a farmer with experience in Urban, Community, and Homestead growing. She is known by many as ‘the mushroom girl,’ having connected people with the mycelial network for over 10 years.

Her power as a connector between people and food is what brings her to Fresh Roots, where she can share her delight for growing vegetables with students, interns, volunteers, staff, CSA members, and market-goers.
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camille@freshroots.ca

Jaimie Rosenwirth

Jaimie Rosenwirth (they/them)

Suwa’lkh Farm Program Lead

Jaimie brings diverse work experience to the Fresh Roots team. Having worked with folks with autism since 2015 they bring qualities of patience and understanding. Jaimie’s relationship with Fresh Roots started out by volunteering with an individual at Suwa’lkh School who has autism in 2018 and has grown into the Environmental Education Lead role.

The sense of community Jaimie brings to the Suwa’lkh farm is a result of many years of being a part of the garden. Jaimie loves the Farm to Cafeteria Program for the support it provides to get the students at the school eating what they have helped grow and trying new things.
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jaimie@freshroots.ca

Youth Empowerment Team

tathali-urueta

Tathali Urueta-Ortiz (she/her)

Youth Program Manager

During the last 10 years, Tathali has been working in diverse capacities at the intersection of two worlds: Food and Education! Her professional experience in these years has been shaped by her interest and passion in sustainability education, garden-based learning, science education, and food studies.

She has had the opportunity to work and enjoy the indoor and outdoor classroom with learners spanning from pre-kindergarten to higher education. Tathali holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum Studies and an M.A. in Science Education from The University of British Columbia. Tathali is committed to the transformation of society toward more equitable and sustainable ways of living through education that empowers ALL learners.
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empowerment@freshroots.ca

Experiential Learning Team

Rowan Vriesema-Magnuson (he/him)

Director of Experiential Learning & Programs

Rowan loves to help kids literally get their hands dirty, and seeing a kid hold their first worm is the highlight of his day. Rowan has a Graduate Certificate in Education, Environment and Community from IslandWood, an M.Ed. in Teaching and Curriculum from the University of Washington, and over fifteen years of experience in environmental education and program administration.

He is proud of developing and expanding Fresh Roots’ educational programming since 2017, including field trips and Camp Fresh Roots.  When not creating dynamic hands-on learning opportunities, Rowan can be found cooking for family and friends, singing, and camping.
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education@freshroots.ca

David Sahlmueller

Experiential Learning Program Lead

David is a science educator and communicator with a passion for science, nutrition, nature, the climate, and sustainability. With a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a certificate in Sustainability Leadership, he is fascinated by the interrelation between food systems and sustainability. Whether he is leading field trips that give students hands-on experience working with plants, getting his hands dirty on the farm, or developing engaging activities to advocate for good food, he loves to spark an interest in science and environmental stewardship with students and the community as a whole.

Operations & Engagement

Solenn Le Divenah (she/her)

Communications and Operations Manager

Solenn holds a Master’s degree in Social Innovation and Social Economy Management but also a Pastry CAP degree which allowed her to work for 5 years in a French non-profit focusing on bringing awareness towards healthy, local and good food ! With a background in projects and team management in various non-profits, including experiences in communication, grants writing and event planning, she is supporting the team throughout the seasons ! Passionate about the preservation and restauration of ecosystems, she loves to highlight the impact the farms have on the communities and environment around them.

info@freshroots.ca

Hope Rapp (she/her)

Fund Development Coordinator

Moving to Vancouver from England, Hope joined Fresh Roots as a chef educator for LunchLAB in the spring of 2023. With an Anthropology degree and strong experience in London’s non-profit food waste and food education fields, she loves working within school communities to create change from the ground up. Bringing her partnership-building, writing skills and the belief that food is one of the most powerful ways to connect with others, beyond the LunchLAB kitchens and gardens, she supports us in our fund development.

hope@freshroots.ca

2024 Seasonal Staff

Fresh Roots 2024 Team Photo

Experiential Learning Team

  • Charlie Sutherland – Leadership Program Specialist
  • Chloe Baknes – Food Program Specialist
  • Kira Slykhuis – Camp Facilitator
  • Tallulah Mund – Camp Facilitator
  • Charis Ilman – Camp Facilitator
  • Kirat Ahluwalia – Camp Facilitator
  • Julia Shaw – Camp Facilitator
  • Shanti Cordoni-Jordan- Camp Facilitator

SOYL Team

  • Katelyn Colwell – SOYL Suwa’lkh Facilitator
  • Sofia Alvarez – SOYL Suwa’lkh Facilitator
  • Kenya Blouin – SOYL Vancouver Facilitator
  • Singh – SOYL Vancouver Facilitator
  • Tatiana Fisher – SOYL Program Assistant

Good Food Farm Team

  • Franny Rainbow – Farm Program Lead
  • Sophia Kooy – Farm Program Lead
  • Emma Loucks – Farm Program Lead – Outreach
  • Nicole Bruce – Farm Program Lead