Carla Pellegrini - Executive Director
director@foodstash.ca | Carla has 15 years of experience in community development, social finance and operations management. Prior to joining Food Stash in 2021, she worked for five years to help establish and grow New Market Funds, a B Corp certified impact investing firm in Vancouver, and before that she launched the Vancouver office for Sonder, a global hospitality tech start-up. Before moving to Canada in 2015, she worked abroad with One Acre Fund in Kenya, WorldFish in Zambia and the US Peace Corps in Nicaragua. In her free time, she volunteers with BC Pets and Friends. She holds an MPA from Columbia University and a BA from Boston College..
Stephanie Shulhan - Development
Manager
Stephanie got her MSc in Land and Food Systems at UBC. While studying, she picked up some fun hobbies including gardening, beekeeping, and citizen science projects. She's been lucky to work with many amazing colleagues and mentors in the field of food security and is always learning new things. Stephanie hopes everyone can find nourishment, belonging and connection through food, and wants to do whatever she can to help that happen.
Heather Gerrie - Community Engagement Manager
Moving from Halifax, Heather traded coasts to explore BC's mountains and ended up finding a home in Vancouver. With a background in research and experience working in shelters and a drop-in centre in the Downtown Eastside, Heather has a passion for community building through food and firmly believes there’s always room for one more at the table. Heather is a food nerd, avid reader, collector of new hobbies, and is happiest when camping.
Anna Gray - Communications Specialist
Anna recieved her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Communications from the University of Ottawa. Shortly after, she found herself out on the west coast, where she worked with various PR agencies within the hospitality and culinary space. Growing up spending most of her time camping, she developed an interest in protecting our environment. She believes that by helping Food Stash grow its influence and reach within the community, we can create sustainable change when it comes to food waste and insecurity.
Jenn Elliott -
Volunteer & Community Engagement Coordinator
Jenn completed her B.A. specializing in social psychology at UVic, led by her passion for individual and community mental health and well-being. Food Stash's focus on lowering barriers and providing dignified access to nourishing food for our community while simultaneously reducing the massive environmental impact of food waste immediately drew her to the work. In her downtime, Jenn can be found hiking, camping, running, or crocheting, drinking coffee and listening to music on really rainy days.
Emma DiGiosia - Rescued Food Box Program Manager
Emma completed an advanced diploma in Nursing. Her education led her to work alongside disabled people/people with disabilities. She is passionate about accessibility and is grateful to be part of a program that strives to remove barriers to food and nutrition while reducing food waste’s environmental impact.
Chris Watson - F
ood Rescue Driver & Community Partner Coordinator
Chris is an artist and advocate who is passionate about sustainability and community building. Being able to help nourish and grow the local community is one reason why he is very excited to be working with Food Stash.
Enrik Gagnon - Operations & Food Recovery Manager
Enrik is from the small town of Grand Falls, New Brunswick and made the cross-country move to Vancouver back in 2014. He has over 14 years of combined retail and warehouse management experience. Enrik is fired up and motivated to join Food Stash’s mission of impacting the community in great ways. Enrik’s hobbies include travelling, hiking, camping, cliff jumping, curling, and walking with his best buddy, Shadow.
Rachel Hahn - Food Rescue Driver & Community Partner Coordinator
Completing her BFA from Western University, Rachel is an artist who values community and connection. Working with a team that shares those values brought her to Food Stash, and she is thrilled to have the opportunity to engage with our local partners and teams. When she isn’t creating, you can find Rachel outside running in East Van (or maybe getting a coffee at Turk’s)!
Jean-Pierre - Food Rescue Driver (Casual)
Jean-Pierre retired after 40 years working in Health Services as a manager and educator for individuals with varying disabilities and then spent the last 22 years managing non-profit homes for men with Autism. Jean-Pierre has a passion for meeting people and exploring new cultures, which he fulfills with his love of travel. JP is thrilled to join Food Stash as the company's mission and values perfectly align with his belief that every person has value and is entitled to good friendship and access to nutritious food.
John Lowe - Food Rescue
Driver (Casual)
From the U.K. originally. John moved to B.C. in 2019 to be closer to family. He hasn't looked back since and remains in awe of B.C.'s stunning natural beauty. He holds a B.A. in Business Management from Staffordshire University. As an entrepreneur, John has experience from running his delivery business to property management and sustainability product sales. A keen sustainability advocate, John also wanted to do more to help people facing challenges such as food insecurity directly, and he is delighted to be part of the team
Ching Tsz - Rescued Food Box Program Coordinator
ChingTsz was born and raised in Hong Kong, and she moved to Vancouver in 2021. She has been working with various nonprofits both in Hong Kong and Canada. Ching is passionate about working with people and feels lucky to have built a career where she can contribute back to her community.
Lowell - Food Rescue Driver
& Community Partner
Coordinator
Lowell has been living In Vancouver since 2016 - he came here seeking refuge from an oppressive organization which threatened his life and his family's In 2017 he met David who was starting Food Stash. and that's how he became Volunteer No. 001. He eventually became Employee No. 001 and has been working for Food Stash for five years. Lowell is a Human Rights advocate and continues to help victims of oppression like himself by supporting causes close to his heart. such as the Help The Oppressed Foundation.
Sam Smith - Rescued Food Market Coordinator
Sam is currently in the process of completing her undergraduate degree in Honours Sociology at UBC. As part of her thesis, Sam performed an in-depth ethnographic study of Food Stash’s Rescued Food Market to illuminate how non-profit organizations are attempting to combat food insecurity in the Vancouver area. Sam has remained eager to continue collaborating with her community members at Food Stash to address food insecurity in a way that is both dignified and innovative. Sam proudly considers herself a life-long learner and is enthusiastic to engage with anything or anyone that offers a challenge to her current understanding and presents a new perspective. In her free time, Sam loves hiking, cooking, learning dad rock music on her guitar, and snuggling with her 9-year-old French bulldog, Gordon.
Julia - Rescued Food Driver & Community Partner
Coordinator
Julia is grateful to be a part of the team at Food Stash and is excited to learn more about how to combat food insecurity and food waste. Throughout the years, while cooking, serving at restaurants or more recently while farming; they have witnessed the polarity of how many people experience life without access to nourishing food in comparison to how much good food goes to waste. Julia's passions include social and environmental causes, which have been nurtured through working as a youth support worker, teaching pottery to vulnerable populations, learning to grow food, tree planting, etc. During their down time, you can find Julia accompanying their cat on walks, spending time with nature, cycling, sculpting with clay, at a movement class or trying new creative projects with a friend.
Parminder Kaur - Rescued Food Market Coordinator
Parminder is a student from India who came to Canada to pursue higher studies. She’s currently majoring in Communication at Columbia College. Parminder started working with Food Stash in the summer of 2023 through the Columbia College externship program. From a student with a dream to a dynamic force making a difference, she’s happily navigating the world of Food Stash, bringing her energy and enthusiasm to the table.