Michelle Backhouse

BVFA Alliance Coordinator

Michelle Backhouse (She/Her) is originally from Ontario, Treaty 13, also known as the Toronto Purchase. In 2012, she visited Treaty 7, where she saw a sign that said “I'm living your dream vacation” and moved here the same year. Passionate about well-being, she is always looking for ways to integrate her knowledge, curiosity, critical thinking and decolonization learnings into her life as well as innovative ways to amplify community voices. 

She holds an honours degree in Kinesiology from York University and has a background in Sport Administration, volunteer & event coordination and community development/ collaboration. Recently, she has taken the Truth & Reconciliation Through Right Relations course offered by the Banff Centre. 

Michelle is curious about the critical role that food plays in our everyday lives and is excited to take on the Alliance Coordinator role with the BVFA. She has a dynamic skill set and is enthusiastic about food sovereignty, bringing an infectious approach to community collaborations and leadership.  She deeply believes in the vision of the BVFA and is excited to use her skills to bring the BVFA strategic plan to fruition.

Lou Doyon

BVFA Communications Coordinator

Lou Doyon (she/her) grew up in Canmore and considers herself incredibly lucky to call the Bow Valley home still. After spending a few years studying in Toronto, immersed in the fantastic food culture of the big city, she came back to the Bow Valley and earned a Communications degree from the University of Calgary. Lou has always been passionate about the Bow Valley community and is excited to join the BVFA in helping foster community-based food systems, resulting in a better understanding of food sovereignty for all of the diverse communities in the Bow Valley!

Lou also works full-time with Rocky Mountain Adaptive, a registered charity in Canmore, and continues freelance copywriting for several local clients. When she's not working, Lou spends as much time as possible in the outdoors with her partner and dog, mountain biking, fly fishing, climbing, camping, and ski touring.

Tineke Van Der Merwe

President of the Volunteer Board of Directors

Tineke Van Der Merwe (She/Her) comes to the BVFA with extensive non-profit experience and skills in marketing, communications, event planning, fund development, and program and project management. Born in South Africa, Tineke has lived, worked, and honed her intercultural skillset in 5 countries, bringing a diverse, open-minded perspective to the BVFA and the Bow Valley.

Tineke has established herself as an active community organizer with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Tineke works with the Bow Valley Immigration Partnership, and continues to be involved with several community groups and organizations, such as Canmore Rotary Club, and the Canmore for Ukraine volunteer group.

Ava Vanderbeek

Co-President of the Volunteer Board of Directors

Ava Vanderbeek (She/Her) is a 20-year-old attending school at the University of Victoria. However, she has spent a significant amount of time living and working in the Bow Valley and we’re thrilled to have her voice on the BVFA Board of Directors.

Ava's previous work with the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley created several opportunities to connect with the BVFA. Ava values community, food sovereignty and a sustainable, inclusive future. When Ava first moved to Canmore, she learned very quickly how challenging it can be to provide healthy and fresh food for yourself. The BVFA is working towards breaking down those barriers, and Ava wants to help be a part of that. Ava is especially motivated by the Bow Valley Food Charter as a framework for creating a set of guiding principles for a food system for the Bow Valley with the added knowledge of indigenous ways of knowing while embracing collaboration within the community.

Jessica Klaric

Co-President of the Volunteer Board of Directors / Secretary

Jessica (She/Her) is a Bow Valley resident working as the Executive Director for the Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley.

As an individual who is passionate and experienced in the non-profit sector, both on a volunteer and employment level, Jess is always looking for ways to support her community and participate in initiatives that align with her values. Jess has an extensive educational background in both environmental and social studies, and she has taken several courses related to food sovereignty. Through her education, Jess has developed a deep interest and passion for food sustainability and sovereignty, and she feels sincerely aligned with the mission, projects and objectives of BVFA. Jess hopes to use her knowledge, experience and motivation to support and enhance the BVFA team.

Amanda Meadows

Director of the Volunteer Board / Treasurer

Director of the Board / Treasurer

Amanda Meadows is a passionate dancer, artist, and avid outdoor adventurer who is currently a student in the Accounting program at Bow Valley College (BVC). Her lifelong connection with food is based on the perspective that food is the heart of well-being; it supports creativity, nourishment, family, and community.

She has spent several years in the restaurant industry, where her drive to understand the who, what, and where of food first began. These questions drove her to look deeper into our food systems—from birth to waste—with a particular interest in sustainability practices. To compensate for her lack of a green thumb, Amanda focuses on the people involved every step of the way. As such, it’s only natural that her volunteer work and knowledge enrichment journey would lead her to the BVFA. Born and raised in Canmore, Amanda is thrilled to return to her hometown to reconnect with the outdoors and the beautiful Bow Valley Community.

Jill Harrison

Director Volunteer Board of Directors

Jill Harrison has been dedicated to advancing food security since 2016, serving as part of the Community Development portfolio with the Town of Banff. In 2018, she founded the Bow Valley Food Alliance with the vision of uniting existing food support groups and interested parties to work together more effectively and cohesively. Her efforts have encompassed a broad spectrum of initiatives, including community-based consultations with grassroots organizations, nonprofit groups, and institutions, academic research, the creation of the Bow Valley-wide Food Charter, coordinated COVID-19 responses, advocacy, education, fund, and policy development.

When Jill began her work in 2016, food insecurity was a little-discussed issue, primarily recognized by experts and food banks. Today, it is a widely acknowledged and pressing concern. Under Jill’s leadership, the Bow Valley Food Alliance has become a pivotal support network, with its knowledge and experience now serving as a model for other municipalities and food security groups across the region

In addition to her BVFA work, Jill coordinates the Good Food Box program in Banff, the weekly Community Table Lunch, and many ethno cultural and Indigenous food events. She is also co-creator of the Banff Community Social Assessment.

Jill has been living, working, playing, and volunteering in the Bow Valley for 30 years. She is recognised for fostering relationships and collaborating,  rooting for the underdog, and inspiring change. Originally from England, she has an honours degree in English from the University of London.

She can be contacted at jill.harrison@banff.ca

BVFA Advisors

Lauren Kepkiewicz

Community-Based Researcher

Lauren is a community-based researcher and postdoctoral associate in the Department of Geography at the University of Calgary. Her current research examines food systems and food sovereignty in mountain communities, with a focus on the Bow Valley.

Her work draws from her experience as a research assistant and management team member for the Community First: Impacts of Community Engagement (CFICE): Community Food Sovereignty Hub as well as her participation in the National Farmers Union Indigenous Solidarity Working Group (ISWG), the Canmore Community Garden, the Food Equity and Activist Study Team, the Collaborative Alliance of Farmer Training Ontario, Food Secure Canada Youth Caucus, and Africa Youth for Peace and Development. She has taught undergraduate courses on food systems and has published work in both academic and popular articles and books. Lauren has a PhD in geography with a focus on food studies from the University of Toronto and has been involved with the BVFA since 2017.