Leadership Team
Co-executive directors
DR. Pam Farrell
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Born in Zürich, Switzerland, Dr. Pamela Farrell is an award-winning educational practitioner who works to challenge systemic inequalities by amplifying the voices and experiences of communities disproportionately affected by food insecurity. Her work is grounded in the belief that education can transform lives and drive change.
She is the Founder and Executive Director of GROW Community Food Literacy Centre, Canada’s first community food literacy centre. As a teacher, Dr. Farrell saw firsthand how food insecurity affected children’s ability to learn, develop, and thrive in one of the region’s most disadvantaged communities. She recognized that food insecurity was not simply a lack of food, but a barrier to health, literacy, learning, and human potential. Drawing on her expertise in language and literacy, she transformed a neglected building into a year-round low-cost grocery store, community kitchen, and food literacy centre. Since 2020, GROW has provided more than 100,000 points of service, turning research into transformative community action.
Dr. Farrell approaches food literacy as a critical, anti-oppressive, and sociocultural practice. Her research examines how culture, identity, poverty, language, literacy, and place shape how people understand and participate in food systems, and how these factors influence child development, learning, educational opportunity, and equity.
While completing her graduate degree at Harvard Graduate School of Education, she launched GROW-on-the-GO, Canada’s first electric mobile market truck. As Principal Investigator, she led a $375,000 Public Health Agency of Canada initiative translating her scholarship into community-based action. Building on the model’s success, GROW subsequently secured $553,500 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (2026–2029) to expand mobile and low-cost food access across Niagara.
Her scholarship has been published nationally and internationally in academic journals, books, and reference works, including a book chapter with the University of Toronto Press and the Elgar Encyclopedia of Food Studies. Her work has been featured in national and international media and recognized through numerous honours, including Educator of the Year and recognition among Canada’s most influential women.
Through research, education, and community action, Dr. Farrell is advancing a broader understanding of food insecurity is understood, not simply as a lack of food, but as an issue of health, education, equity, dignity, and social mobility.
Rose Iannacchino
Executive Director
Rose Iannacchino, an accomplished Niagara Falls real estate agent and dedicated philanthropist, brings her exceptional skills and passion to the role of Executive Director at GROW. With a successful track record in business, finance, management, and leadership, Rose's expertise has been a driving force in advancing GROW's mission and vision.
Her commitment to community service and philanthropy is evident through her generous contributions of both time and financial resources. Rose's outstanding contributions have earned her recognition, including the REALTORS CARE® AWARDS, highlighting her exceptional dedication to community betterment. Her remarkable impact on the community will soon be featured in an upcoming video, further highlighting her exemplary work at GROW.
Rose embodies the qualities of an exceptional leader. Her self-awareness enables her to navigate challenges with insight, while her credibility and relationship-building skills foster trust and collaboration. She possesses a distinct desire for action, consistently driving initiatives forward. Her humility, authenticity, and consistent presence inspire those around her, fostering an environment of empowerment and trust.
Since GROW's establishment in 2019, Rose's contributions have been nothing short of remarkable. She has forged meaningful relationships, enriching the quality of life for GROW's members. Her ability to balance multiple tasks is a testament to her exceptional multitasking skills. Rose's dedication to advocating for GROW's members is evident and highly regarded within the community. Her impact is best captured by the sentiment of community members who hold her in high esteem, describing her as someone who is "adored by everyone."
Rose's leadership at GROW has created a positive ripple effect. Her strategic insights, profound relationships, and the respect she garners from volunteers, members, the community advisory committee, and the Board of Directors attest to her influence and effectiveness as an Executive Director.
With Rose at the helm, GROW is poised to continue its transformative work, empowering the community and fostering a culture of growth, support, and empowerment. Her leadership embodies the values of dedication, compassion, and progress, making her an invaluable asset to GROW's mission and the community it serves.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WENDY BORELLI
With a career spanning 35 years in education, Wendy Borelli is a seasoned professional who has left an indelible mark on her community. Her experience encompasses roles as a teacher within the public education system and as a Community Education Coordinator for the Burnaby School District in British Columbia.
Having graduated from both the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University, Wendy originally specialized in special education. In her capacity as a Community School Coordinator at an inner-city school, she played a pivotal role in offering educational and settlement support to students, families, and government-assisted refugees. Notably, poverty reduction and food security were focal points in her work within Metro Vancouver.
Her responsibilities included enhancing student well-being by facilitating access to community services and support systems. She championed initiatives such as breakfast programs, various healthy snack initiatives, a Strong Start Centre, a free food cupboard, The Good Food Box, food recovery programs, and a community kitchen for parents and local community members.
Wendy's leadership extended to various committees and projects. As the chair of the Eastburn Interagency Committee, she spearheaded the collaboration of community agencies to provide comprehensive support services. She led The Empty Bowls project, which organized fundraising events to provide grants for food programs throughout Burnaby. Additionally, she was a member of the Preschool Fair Committee, which focused on offering support to preschoolers through events providing healthy snacks and early developmental screening.
A pivotal role Wendy held was as a member of Food First, a committee dedicated to addressing food insecurity in inner-city communities. Her retirement year saw her actively engaged in developing a partnership between the Food First Committee and the local food bank to create a hub that would connect community and health services with food bank recipients on distribution days.
Applying a social justice framework to her diverse competencies, Wendy now employs her wealth of leadership experience to assist GROW in identifying emerging trends, engaging in critical policy discussions, sharing successful practices, and evaluating specific programs. Through these efforts, she works to advocate and advance food security within her community. Wendy Borelli's extensive and impactful career showcases her dedication to fostering positive change and addressing pressing social issues.
MAYA JONAS
Maya Jonas is an extraordinary individual whose presence on GROW's Board of Directors brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and passion to the table. As an accomplished athlete and advocate, Maya's journey is a testament to her unwavering determination and resilience.
Despite receiving a life-altering diagnosis at 24 – retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition leading to total blindness – Maya embraced life's challenges head-on. Refusing to be defined by her condition, she embarked on a path of constant growth and triumph over adversity. Maya's perspective encapsulates her belief that challenges are essential for a fulfilling life. This mindset led her to compete in the Canada Winter Games, securing silver and bronze medals in cross-country skiing. Her impressive athletic journey extends to completing marathons in Boston, New York, Chicago, San Diego, and Toronto. She further embraced the thrill of tandem cycling, participating in the Cycle For Sight rides in both Vancouver and Toronto.
In addition to her athletic feats, Maya is a cancer survivor, and her personal experiences have fueled her dedication to helping others. Guided by her motto "never back down, never give up," she has served on various boards of directors and actively fundraised for organizations such as the CNIB, the United Way Speaker's Bureau, The Blind Sailing Club, and Achilles Canada. Achilles Canada is a non-profit organization that empowers disabled athletes to experience the joy of running by supporting or guiding runners, enabling them to participate in major marathon events. Recognized for her exceptional contributions, Maya received the Toronto Volunteer of the Year Award and the Ontario Service Award.
Maya's advocacy goes beyond sports and community involvement. She sheds light on the reality that many of the 681,000 blind individuals in Ontario face significant challenges, including limited access to nutritious food.
Beyond her commitment to advocacy, Maya finds joy in cooking and entertaining. Her compassionate nature extends to her faithful guide dog, Faith, with whom she shares her journey.
Maya's remarkable story is a beacon of inspiration, demonstrating the power of resilience, determination, and advocacy. Her contributions to GROW's Board of Directors will undoubtedly shape the organization's efforts and reinforce its commitment to promoting food security and empowerment.
Findlay Whilidal
Findlay Wihlidal brings more than 30 years of frontline public safety, crisis intervention, and community-oriented leadership to the Board of Directors at GROW Community Food Literacy Centre. With a career dedicated to protecting lives, de-escalating high-stress situations, and supporting vulnerable individuals, Findlay offers a vital perspective on community well-being, mental health awareness, and trauma-informed governance.
Findlay brings a rich history of frontline volunteerism, youth mentorship, and public safety leadership to the Board of Directors at GROW Community Food Literacy Centre. He first joined GROW as a dedicated volunteer in 2021 and has since worked at nearly every level of the organization, from supporting frontline community programs and facilitating online cooking workshops to leading GROW’s Community Advisory Committee. He has also been deeply involved in GROW’s youth policing mentorship program, guiding local youth toward careers in public safety. His extensive, firsthand experience across the Centre gives him a clear, grounded understanding of the everyday needs of the community members GROW serves.
Findlay’s career spans nearly two decades in public safety, including service as a police corporal, major crimes detective, S.W.A.T. team member, and dual firefighter/EMT in South Carolina, as well as early crisis intervention work with the Children’s Aid Society in Toronto and with the Ontario Public Service as a correctional officer. Through his extensive frontline experience in emergency medical care and youth crisis management, Findlay developed a deep, practical understanding of mental health, acute stress, and the complex social determinants that affect individuals and families in crisis. He recognizes that true community health requires safe environments, compassionate listening, and accessible support systems.
On the Board of GROW, Findlay combines his background in public service with a steadfast commitment to grassroots community engagement. He advocates for governance that puts people first, ensuring the Centre remains a welcoming, dignified space where community members feel genuinely seen, heard, and supported. By bridging his expertise in crisis resolution and mental health awareness with GROW’s mission of food security and health equity, Findlay helps guide the organization in building safer, more resilient, and deeply connected communities.
"Building a stronger, more resilient community isn't just about providing resources—it's about creating connection, fostering dignity, and ensuring no one faces life's challenges alone."— Findlay Wihlidal
DR. KENISE MURPHY KILBRIDE
In Memoriam
Dr. Kenise Murphy Kilbride was a retired professor from the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) with a distinguished career in research and teaching. Her areas of expertise included immigration and settlement, seniors, families and children, and women's language learning.
Engaged in her community for numerous years, she held significant roles, including chairing the Boards of the Toronto Social Planning Council and the Daily Bread Food Bank. During her time at the latter organization, she played a pivotal role in fundraising for a permanent structure that also served as a training program for young individuals and the unemployed, providing skills necessary for employment in the food industry.
Additionally, Dr. Murphy Kilbride was part of a dedicated group of women concerned about the issue of girls leaving home before completing high school. As a response, she initiated a local program aimed at assisting these young women in finishing their education.
Her contributions extended to the literary realm as well. She authored and edited several books, including one translated into 32 languages. This book serves as a comprehensive guide for immigrant parents, offering crucial information on Canadian childcare, education, healthcare, language classes, job search strategies, and other essential topics vital to their successful settlement and integration into Canadian society.
Dr. Murphy Kilbride, who was widowed, was the proud mother of two children and grandmother to three grandchildren. Her extensive accomplishments and dedication to bettering her community underscored her commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others.
Senior leadership team
Laura oberlein
Director of Sustainability and Food Programs,
Community Chef
New bio coming soon.
Lindsay Krahn
Community development manager
Lindsay is the Community Development Manager at GROW Community Food Literacy Centre. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies with a minor in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and brings an interdisciplinary understanding of the social determinants of health and the complex relationships between nutrition, chronic disease, poverty, and health equity.
Before joining the GROW team, Lindsay gained experience working with a wide range of populations, including youth and adults with disabilities, individuals accessing mental health care, seniors, children, and people experiencing homelessness. These experiences provided her with a broad understanding of the diverse factors that shape individual and community well-being. She also contributed to chronic disease and caregiver education initiatives at McMaster University, strengthening her expertise in knowledge translation and evidence-based program development and design. Together, these experiences have provided her with a strong foundation for developing programs and advocacy initiatives that are both evidence-based and rooted in community needs.
At GROW, Lindsay provides leadership across organizational growth, program development and expansion, evaluation, fundraising, and strategic partnerships. She played a key role in launching the GROW-on-the-GO Mobile Market in the Niagara Region and coordinates program evaluation research in partnership with Public Health to assess and demonstrate program impact. She is also focused on strengthening organizational capacity, cultivating collaborative partnerships, and developing sustainable initiatives that respond to community needs. Through her work, Lindsay is committed to advancing food literacy and food security while supporting healthier, more equitable communities.