What We Do

Our work extends beyond the conventional boundaries of agriculture. We strive to be a visionary organization that envisions a world where food production and consumption go hand in hand with environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Through collaborative efforts, Reimagine Agriculture works to reshape perceptions, practices, and policies related to the food system, fundamentally changing the way we grow, distribute, and consume our food.

Our Origin Story

As an environmental governance graduate, I had become somewhat numb to the seemingly endless stream of negative headlines about our environment--" climate change," "pollution," "food shortages," and "drought," to name a few. In 2018, the red brick walls of my Toronto-based apartment started to close in around me; I felt overwhelmed by the world's problems and realized I had to take action. 

As I skimmed the surface, it became apparent that agriculture plays a significant role in these global issues. I spent the following months trawling through paperwork, literature, and policy in hopes of developing a deep understanding of the impacts of our current food system. I saw how agriculture has detrimental impacts on the environment and public health while promoting a cultural mindset that lacks compassion and ignores equitability. 

Out of frustration and hope, Reimagine Agriculture was born. With our sights set on addressing inefficiencies in the Canadian agriculture system, we began focusing on solutions to the industry's most prominent issues. 

We quickly gained momentum, growing a team of educated, experienced and passionate individuals while making meaningful connections in the community. From the beginning, Reimagine Agriculture has been dedicated to connecting Canadians with their food systems so that, together, we can create a safe and sustainable world. 

We take an evidence-based approach focused on converting big dreams into actionable solutions. Although we work to tackle these issues on a systemic level, our team is here to help you take tangible steps towards creating a food-secure and climate-stable world for current and future generations. Together, we can reimagine agriculture, and we can't wait for you to join us! 

Allison Penner (She/Her)

Executive Director

Allison is incredibly passionate about addressing the critical issues in the agricultural sector. Bringing a degree in Environmental Governance from the University of Guelph and experience in campaigning and policy work, she delights in using a variety of tools to transform the food system. When she's not hard at work transforming the agricultural sector, you can find her keeping busy cooking delicious meals, exercising or reading every book she can get her hands on.

Ben Delanghe (He/Him)

Board Member

As a trial lawyer, Ben has spent his career fighting on behalf of a diverse range of clients. He considers his biggest wins to be those battles fought on behalf of the voiceless and vulnerable populations. Once he began educating himself on the food system - an ongoing effort - he knew there were areas that needed significant public attention and participation. Reimagine Agriculture aligns perfectly with the goal to reform and refine the system from all angles, including addressing the damage done by animal agriculture, eliminating and preventing food waste, and advocating for regulatory and technological initiatives that can help bridge the gaps. He is honoured to be a member of the Board of Directors striving to put Reimagine Agriculture's mission into action!

Sarah-Emanuel (She/Her)

Fundraising Specialist

Sarah is an International Studies and Modern Languages graduate with experience and passion for policy and diversity. Currently working as a philanthropy analysis coordinator, Sarah lends her expertise to our fundraising team. She is acutely aware of the links between human activity and the climate crisis and has decided to take action through volunteering.

Brian Ferrey (He/Him)

Board President & Strategic Advisor, Finance

Brian currently serves as Vice President, Corporate Development & Strategy, for Nova Royalty Corp., a publicly listed company focused on investing in critical upstream components of the clean energy supply chain. He is also a Director of a nonprofit organization focused on addressing technical, social, and environmental challenges in the Canadian energy system, particularly as it relates to the energy transition and energy justice. Brian brings experience across corporate finance and strategy, having worked at several leading global financial institutions within investment banking and private equity investing. He joined Reimagine Agriculture in late 2022 to help the organization grow and scale its efforts to address systemic issues in the agriculture sector, which he sees as a fundamentally important part of our social and economic system, and thus fundamental to addressing climate change.

Nicole Gavigan (She/Her)

Knowledge Mobilization Support

Nicole is a busy mom of three kids and is currently completing her BSc. in Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Alberta. Nicole is passionate about how the climate crisis affects food security and public health. Teaching her kids about the close relationship between our food systems and our environment has prompted Nicole to take action. She is excited to be a volunteer with the Knowledge Mobilization team and believes that igniting climate advocacy in youth is a critical step toward positive change in our food systems and our environment. When she’s not researching or studying, Nicole is probably watching an Oilers game with her family and her cats. 

Lydia Lavis (She/Her)

Knowledge Mobilization Lead

Lydia grew up on a hobby farm in rural British Columbia where she tried to tend to and harvest crops before the local wildlife did it for her. She completed a Bachelor of Sciences and a Master of Arts at Brock University, during which she found a disparity between the knowledge being produced and shared among researchers and the knowledge being shared and applied within the community. Thus, she is very excited to have the opportunity to help bridge that gap in the agricultural field as Knowledge Mobilization Lead at Reimagine Agriculture.

Sophia Ma (She/Her)

Marketing and Outreach Assistant

Sophia is a computer science and business student at Western University who is passionate about approaching environmental and socioeconomic issues through a multidisciplinary lens. She is excited to grow the community around climate advocacy and sustainable agriculture. Outside of being a student, she is an avid event-planner, hiker, and plant mom.

Jeff Mcallister (He/Him)

Board Member

Jeff is an investor and financial consultant working in the agricultural space. He works with primary producers and agribusinesses across Canada and is passionate about improving the resiliency of our food system. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and an HBA from the University of Western Ontario. He is also a CPA and CFA Charterholder. Jeff is a Partner at an agricultural investment manager based in Toronto.

Lucas Porter (He/Him)

Board Member

Lucas brings a dedication to environmental sustainability and a passion for climate change mitigation to the team. He holds a Master's in Environmental Studies from York University and an honours BA in Environmental Governance from the University of Guelph. He has a wide array of experience across the environmental non-profit sector with a focus on recycling and waste reduction. In his current role with the Municipality of Clarington, Lucas is advancing the municipality's corporate climate action plan and creating its electric vehicle acquisition strategy. In his spare time, Lucas can be found cycling around the city, getting lost in a forest, or volunteering in art spaces.

Oliver (Ollie) Sheldrick (He/Him)

Policy Analyst

Ollie is a policy analyst, writer, and researcher with expertise across a wide range of briefs across environmental, social, and economic policy. Over the last nine years his career has spanned think tanks, NGOs and consulting practices, delivering strategic policy and research programs. Ollie holds an MSc from University College London in Urban Studies, and a BSc from the University of Reading in Human and Physical Geography. His passion for the environment and addressing climate change was first sparked while studying the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the climate crisis in university. He is an avid science fiction reader, particularly the work of authors such as Kim Stanley Robinson.

Michael Thomas (He/Him)

Policy Specialist 

Michael is a Policy Advisor with Global Affairs Canada who is as passionate about all things food related as he is about mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss. Michael holds a Master of Global Affairs from the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs, as well as a BA in Political Science from Carleton University. Outside of working on international trade policy and issues in the agricultural sector, Michael spends his time running, reading, cooking and playing music.