Team and Board

The Nourish Nova Scotia Team and Board of Directors are located across Nova Scotia. Learn more below about who we are and how to get in touch.

Our Team

Executive Director

Aimee Gasparetto

she/her

Food is a powerful lever for change. At Nourish Nova Scotia, I’m helping to lead this change through strategy development, partnerships, and building a solid foundation for the Nourish team to advance our mission and impact. I’ve been passionate about food and food systems for as long as I can remember. Whether it was learning to cook, supporting community garden and kitchen programs, or studying permaculture design – food has been a focal point. I’m also passionate about cultivating systems leadership and change – within organizations, and around issues that can help to build a more just and sustainable future for all.

Office Administrator

Jemima Perks

she/her

I grew up understanding the struggles of food insecurity—often going to school hungry and feeling the weight of stigma. These experiences shaped my values and motivated me to ensure children and youth around me don’t feel the same isolation.

For seven years, I’ve volunteered as coordinator for my local elementary school’s breakfast program, witnessing the power of sharing a meal and fostering belonging among students.

Joining Nourish Nova Scotia has expanded my impact, supporting young people province-wide. Nourish Nova Scotia fosters community champions in children, creating environments where they can thrive, build meaningful connections, and realize their power in shaping their futures.

Youth and Community Food Coordinator

Claire Allély

she/her

Food is a fundamental part of who we are; and our relationship to food, developed from a young age, is often influenced by access, availability, and our connection to our food systems. By supporting opportunities to cultivate a positive relationship to food, youth are more equipped to make positive food choices for themselves and their communities.

My work allows me to support these opportunities by working in partnership to engage youth in food initiatives, notably through our Youth Food Leaders program, where youth learn important skills like cooking, food safety, and growing food, in a fun, welcoming, and inclusive environment.

Project Co-Lead, School Food & Coordinator, Nova Scotia Coalition for Healthy School Food

Lindsay Corbin

she/her

When students participate in school food programs, they perform better academically and develop a positive relationship with food that supports their health into adulthood. School food programs are also a powerful tool for food systems change, creating community economic development opportunities and supporting our next generation with food literacy skills.

I bring a background in public health nutrition to my advocacy and fund development work on school food programs. As an eternal optimist, I believe that Canada will have one of the best school food programs in the world by the time my children graduate.

Registered Dietitian, Program Development Coordinator

Emily Stevens

she/her

Food is a connection point for us all. At Nourish Nova Scotia, my work supports the development of programs and resources that are grounded in evidence and allow children and youth to explore new foods and nutrition, develop food skills and food literacy, and to foster positive relationships with food and their bodies.

I hold a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics from Mount Saint Vincent University and completed my Dietetic Internship at Nova Scotia Health. I previously completed a degree in Psychology and worked in youth education and literacy before making the switch to nutrition, now combining my love for nutrition and education at Nourish Nova Scotia!

Farm to School Coordinator

Dawn Hare

she/her

I am inspired by the dedicated school food champions who have worked tirelessly over the years to create positive food environments in our schools. My role with Nourish Nova Scotia allows me to build on this important work by fostering connections between students and locally grown produce. It’s amazing to share in the enthusiasm youth bring as they explore new vegetables and fruit!

As the Farm to School Coordinator, I oversee the monthly Farm to School Snack program, bringing fresh, local produce into schools across Nova Scotia while supporting the local farming community.

Project Lead, School Community Gardens

Jess Ross

she/her

My community, being outside and the power of plants are few things that inspire me and fuel my drive here at Nourish Nova Scotia. Supporting the Grow Eat Learn program is a dream come true for me, a long-time food worker, now focusing on Environmental Education. I hope that one day at Nova Scotia schools, gardening skills are just as common as art, tech and shop. Alongside an amazing team, I’m helping develop Grow Eat Learn into a garden program so that as many youth as possible can get their hands dirty, learn about environmental stewardship, grow food and have fun along the way.

Communications Coordinator

Lia Chin-Yet

she/her

I’ve had a passion for creative media for as long as I can remember, and my work has naturally gravitated toward supporting marginalized individuals and communities. At Nourish Nova Scotia, I help share opportunities for youth to engage in meaningful food experiences while communicating the impact of our work.

Food has always been at the heart of what I do—whether in food service, community food programs, or through my Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition. Now, I have the privilege of telling Nourish Nova Scotia’s stories and showcasing the powerful role food plays in shaping youth experiences. My goal is to help expand our impact, creating even more opportunities for young people to connect with food in positive and meaningful ways.

Youth Engagement Coordinator

Stacie Smith

she/her

I joined the Nourish Nova Scotia team in November 2024 as the Youth Engagement Coordinator, focusing on the development and implementation of a youth engagement framework to be used across school and community settings.

I completed my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from Dalhousie University, a professional degree in Education from the University of New Brunswick and am now pursuing my Master of Arts in Education at Mount Saint Vincent University. I am passionate about school food, food insecurity, youth mental health, and youth engagement.

Indigenous Foods Coordinator

Sakej Doucette

he/him

As the Indigenous Foods Coordinator at Nourish Nova Scotia, I hope to help youth build connections to food, culture and community. I’m passionate about food sovereignty and nourishment and I strive to promote food security and traditional food knowledge. My work is rooted in empowering youth by helping them understand where our food comes from and how it has and continues to sustain our communities. I’m Mi’kmaq man who loves traditional foods and believe that food is more than just about sustenance, it’s a way to bring people together, share stories and build stronger communities.

Fund Development Coordinator

Lori Saunders

she/her

As the Fund Development Coordinator, I look forward to telling our story and strengthening the network of partners, supporters and annual donors. My role within Nourish Nova Scotia will allow me to be part of building sustainability to ensure young people in Nova Scotia are well-nourished to live, learn, and play.

I bring a background in fundraising, events, communications, marketing and community partnerships to the team. I love buying local food and sharing cooking/baking moments in the kitchen with my own kids, so I can’t wait to see Nourish Nova Scotia’s programs in action!

Project Co-Lead School Food

Jenny Osburn

she/her

I joined Nourish Nova Scotia to support collaboration with students and communities to build a joyful and inspiring cookbook celebrating school food programs in Nova Scotia.

I am a cookbook author and was one of the founding chefs of The Union Street Cafe in the Annapolis Valley. I’ve been a recipe enthusiast from as early as I could read, and have spent the past decade or so working with schools, cafeterias, government and non-profit organizations developing recipes for delicious and nourishing school meals.

Regional Garden Mentor

Raina McDonald

I am inspired by experiences that empower youth and promote regenerative ways of growing food. My work spans ecological design, community building, placemaking, and cultivating food sovereignty. As Nourish Nova Scotia’s Garden Mentor for the Northern Mainland, I am co-creating a provincial network of school gardens through resource development, infrastructure expansion, and capacity building for garden leaders. I believe whole-heartedly in the power of growing spaces for youth. A biodiverse garden ecosystem is fertile ground for developing valuable skills, fostering nourishing relationships with the earth and inspiring young change-makers. I’m honored to be a part of this work.

Regional Garden Mentor (HRM)

Bria Miller-Chiome

she/they

My love for youth programming, gardening and education has magnetized me toward this role. I am an African Nova Scotian arts and social justice based facilitator with a wide range of experience from over the past 13 years. I have a deep interest and passion for growing food and sharing skills or knowledge with others in community. I got into gardening as a method of healing and self regulation for myself then fell in love with it while deepening my relationship and sense of belonging in the outdoors. I am excited to work and learn with educators and youth they serve through the Grow Eat Learn Program, as well as share the grounding benefits of growing and being in nature together while tackling big conversations like climate change and action.

Board of Directors

Board Chair / Managing Director of Infrastructure Services, Colliers Project Leaders

Marilee Sulewski

she/her

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to be involved in educational and community development projects which support youth and their families and provide opportunities for education, engagement and connections. I have always had an interest in food preparation and grew up growing food and cooking. In my household, we continue to share these skills with my children and it has been central to how we engage with friends and family. As Board Chair, I look forward to combining my background and experience to support the continued growth of Nourish NS as well as create opportunities to address food security issues and support children and youth to engage fully in educational opportunities.

Professional Dietitian

Debbie Madore

she/her

In 1999 I began my journey with school food with the Cape Breton Victoria Regional Centre for Education. I was hired to pilot a breakfast program in 10 schools, using a centralized model for ordering food, reconciling accounts, and volunteer recruitment. As the program grew and received Provincial funding, like-minded folks including myself became the founding members of NNS. I have had several roles with Nourish Nova Scotia including Board Chair and I am happy to continue working on the school food journey with Nourish. Nourish Nova Scotia allows my passion for school food to be seen through a broader lens including the community, gardens, and much more!

Professional Dietitian (Retired)

Janice Silver

she/her

My passion for healthy school food began 30 years ago when I was approached to help establish and operate a school breakfast program. Although a relatively new concept at the time, it quickly became evident that it gave many kids healthier starts to their days, making a positive difference in their lives and learning! That began a decades long passion for helping to create and support healthy food environments for young people! Following 10 years of this work at the HRCE, I became the first Chair of the Nourish Board of Directors and now happily continue to volunteer on the current BOD.

Educator (Retired)

Heather Morse

she/her

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child. As a former Teacher, Principal and Educational Consultant, I have spent my entire career continuing to advocate for children to experience healthy active lifestyles.

Children and youth at nutritional risk have significantly poorer attendance, are less able to concentrate and are more likely to have behavior problems at school. Through the provision of healthy active schools, including breakfast, recess snacks and lunch, school gardens, I have witnessed improved academics, attendance, and behaviors at all levels.

I am extremely proud to serve on the Board of Directors for Nourish Nova Scotia. We remain focused on raising awareness of healthy lifestyles for Nova Scotia youth with deep ties into communities where we action our work with partners. Working diligently with Community Health Boards, Food Councils, Nourish Nova Scotia, School Advisory Councils, Politicians, and Student Councils have proven that it indeed does take a village to raise a child. I remain connected with a wide range of community partners continuing to advocate for healthy active living for Nova Scotia youth.

Epidemiologist

Maria Wilson

she/her

I grew up accessing and then volunteering at my elementary school’s breakfast program, so school food had a special place in my heart from a young age. However, I started volunteering with Nourish Nova Scotia because I wanted to be part of the bigger picture of shaping a healthy food environment for children and youth throughout the province.

I love the sense of community fostered through Nourish events and activities such as community baking sessions, connecting students with local food with farm-to-school snacks, last year’s pollinator party, and our strong annual presence at the Blue Nose Marathon. Nourish continues to grow, evolve, and expand, and I can’t wait to see where we go next!

PhD Student and Researcher

Helen Wong

she/her

I previously worked and completed my dietetic internship at The Hospital for Sick Children. Working with families in the clinic, I learned about the various barriers people face when trying to eat for better health. In hopes of making a difference, I wanted to inform future policies and programs that support healthy food environments via research. I am a PhD student at Dalhousie University and my thesis examines online grocery shopping. I joined Nourish because I wanted to be part of a team passionate about fostering healthy food environments for children and youth via advocacy and hands-on actions within the community.

Treasurer, Retired Financial Executive

Suzanne (Sue) Vincent

she/her

I have three very active school-aged children and am a firm believer that encouraging healthy eating and good food choices translates to better learning and the development of lifelong good eating habits. Living in the heart of the Annapolis Valley, access to fresh, healthy produce is abundant and a privilege that we very much enjoy and would wish for every family. My passion for helping others access nutritious food has led me to serve as a board member/advisor to numerous food-based non-profit organizations. As Board Treasurer for Nourish Nova Scotia, I have the privilege of leveraging my skills and experience to support an organization that aligns with my passions by providing programs and solutions to address food security issues and support children and youth in our province.

Assistant Professor of Nutrition

Irene Ogada

she/her

For the last decade and a half, I have worked with universities in Atlantic Canada and Kenya. I am an educator who is passionate about designing food and nutrition interventions that improve the lives of children. This passion has been shaped by my experiences as a mother, and partnerships with communities striving to improve the nutrition outcomes for their children. In my current position as an Assistant Professor of Nutrition at Mount Saint Vincent University, I teach courses in Community Nutrition Programs, Nutrition for Children and Mothers, as well as Social Determinants of Health. Prior to joining academia in Kenya, I was a schoolteacher, in which I also coordinated the school feeding program. In these capacities, I advocated for good nutrition in the school agenda. I believe that adequate nutrition for children strengthens the future of individuals, communities, and ultimately, the country.

Public Relations Consultant (retired)

Nancy Saul-Demers

she/her

At this stage of my life, I’m choosing volunteer commitments where I can make a difference. With my education and experience in consulting, business, the not-for-profit sector, government and culinary nutrition, Nourish Nova Scotia is a great fit. Personally, I cherish special memories that feature growing, preparing and enjoying food as a powerful bridge between generations and cultures, and want a future where all can enjoy positive experiences like those. Nourish Nova Scotia’s collaborations with schools and so many other community groups have the potential to build stronger more just food systems here, particularly when they are youth-led and driven.

Dietitian/ Consultant / Fundraiser / Volunteer / Mom

Monica Rodriguez

she/her

For 10+ years my career focus has been on school healthy eating programs to increase access to healthy foods, food literacy, and food skills for children and youth. I have a rich background in school and community nutrition, from inner-city programming to partnership building, research, policy development, industry consulting, communications and public relations. Along with being a founding member of Nourish Nova Scotia, I’ve also worked with the organization for over 3 years in a fundraising capacity to grow the mission by building relationships, sharing the Nourish story, and championing the cause. In my spare time, I enjoy distance running, plant-based cooking, supporting community initiatives, and am very active in youth sports.