Gabi Hentschke (Co-Chair)
Gabi has been involved with the Gardens Pods since 2020 and currently Works for Humber's Office of Sustainability as their Communications & Engagement Coordinator.
Gabi is responsible for the coordination of events and communications that promote sustainability at the institution. She seeks to bridge climate advocates and those passionate about sustainability at Humber with opportunities and with one another to build a connected community based on respect for the planet and its inhabitants. Gabi is deeply interested in youth leadership, food justice, and urban agriculture.
Robin Salt (Plant Advisory Lead)
Bio to come.
Vanessa Keall-Vejar (Co-Chair)
Vanessa has been a committed resident of Central and South Etobicoke since 2005, bringing nearly two decades of experience in capacity-building through strategic partnerships with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), youth sports organizations, participatory policy research, and beyond.
She is currently the Managing Director of CBASE, a research-based advocacy think tank focused on advancing community-led solutions and equity-centered urban policy.
Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Arts, an Honours Bachelor of Community Development, and postgraduate credentials in Content Strategy (co-op) and Project Management and member of the PMI Toronto chapter.
She is also currently writing her first non-fiction anthology under the mentorship at the Humber School for Writers.
In addition to her work in the non-profit and research sectors, Vanessa is a former partner at a design firm, where she developed innovative, cross-sector strategies. Her professional practice continues to span the intersections of creative, corporate and not-for-profit clients, with a focus on human-centered, interdisciplinary approaches.
A proud mother, consultant, and social enterprise owner, Vanessa’s research interests lie in land equity and access, and in leveraging complementary disciplines to address complex issues in urban agriculture and city-building.
Carly Spragg
Carly Spragg has been a resident of South Etobicoke since 2018. Looking to get involved with the community as well as support social and environmental initiatives, she was welcomed on to the Gardens Advisory Committee in 2021. Carly has a background in nursing and is passionate about gardening, local food and biking around the city.
Bri Gardner Ford
Bri Gardner Ford is a community developer and currently pursuing her Masters degree at the University of Toronto.
Bri was born and raised in Mimico and worked her first job as a youth leader at LAMP CHC.
Since then, Bri has a history of advocacy including as a founding member of the South Etobicoke Community Land Trust to push for solutions to the homelessness crisis in the Etobicoke. Bri is excited to join the advisory council of the GARDENS pod project to continue to support food security in the lakeshore.
Dawn Paris (LAMP CHC Rep./Pod Coordinator)
She is the LAMP Community Health Centre representative and Pod Coordinator with The Gardens Lakeshore. A long-time Etobicoke Lakeshore resident, Dawn brings a strong background in planning and logistics alongside deep, hands-on community knowledge. She began her journey as a Pod Lead volunteer in 2022 and stepped into the role of Pod Coordinator in 2025.
Dawn plays a vital role in connecting growers directly with their community, supporting inclusive, on-the-ground participation across garden sites. Passionate about learning and collaboration, she continues to build her knowledge of urban agriculture to help ensure equitable access to fresh, local, and culturally relevant food for community members.
Omelyana Kachmarchuk
Bio coming soon
The GARDENS Advisory Council
We are a collaborative grassroots group made up of residents, agencies, and community college and faith groups living in and around the South Etobicoke Community. The project team has an extensive educational background in areas such as health promotions, health and nutrition, food security, and urban studies. Partnerships have been formed on a number of initiatives. Some of us have had considerable experience working together (at least 15 years) on various projects.
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
LAMP CHC is a multi-service, community based charitable organization that provides a wide range of programs and services to improve a person’s health. LAMP uses a coordinated approach to connect people to medical services and other programs that build personal resources. By providing services that improve physical, emotional, social, and economic well-being, people can better control their health and environment.
Cadillac Fairview has been a marquee partner since 2020! the have donated over $10,000 to our community and continue to be a pillar in supporting the quest to end hunger in South Etobicoke!
A community group of local residents and park users dedicated to protecting, enhancing and preserving the naturalized areas of Colonel Samuel Smith Park in South Etobicoke, Ontario.
The Humber community is comprised of 27,500 full-time and 56,000 continuing education registrants across three campuses. Our students, faculty, and staff contribute to the local communities and there are many volunteer opportunities and ways to celebrate Humber’s diversity.
LEGS is a gardening and environmental society that aims to create and maintain harmony between the land and the people. They strive to create and protect beautiful landscapes while also protecting the wildlife that surrounds us. They also advocate for healthier, stronger, and vibrant neighbourhood ties through gardening.
