With the exceptional input of many volunteers, the NCVA is being led by:
Josh Flower is the NCVA's new volunteer president, taking the helm in March 2011. He is a committed vegan of nine years who became involved with the NCVA in early 2010.
"I first became aware of the NCVA in 2009 when I attended the inaugural Veg Fest," Josh says. "You can imagine my surprise as I walked into the Glebe Community Centre which was filled to capacity with businesses, revelers and volunteers! I couldn’t believe my eyes. The festival had an extremely professional feel, and the energy was incredible. I walked around, stopping at each exhibitor, taking it all in. After one loop I walked around again to have another look. I couldn’t get enough."
It inspired him to become a volunteer, and he quickly became an integral part of the NCVA. When the existing president wanted to "retire," with his enthusiasm and can-do attitude, Josh was an obvious successor. "I feel fortunate to take on this role when the NCVA has never been stronger. In the past year we have welcomed some exceptional volunteers, and our collective commitment to the cause is at an all-time high," Josh says. He is looking forward to continuing the NCVA's good work, while also ensuring the organization has a broad-based approach going forward.
He is currently the president of Canadian operations with JobServe, a UK-based job board, where he is responsible for growing their business in Canada. He has previously held positions in the recruitment and banking industries.
Josh was born in London, England and grew up in the Ottawa area. He is a graduate of Algonquin College and lived in Calgary and Toronto before returning to Ottawa to raise his family. He lives in the West end with his wife Jenny, their two children, and their cat and dog.
In his spare time Josh enjoys spending time with family and friends, meeting interesting people, listening to music and exercising.
Corrie became vegetarian when she was 17 years old because of animal welfare concerns and health interests. “I had wanted to be a vegetarian since I was eight years old, but didn’t have support from my family. I’ve always recognized that animals have personalities of their own and deserve respect," she says. Corrie wanted to see how her body would feel as a vegetarian so when she was old enough she decided that she would try being veg for a few weeks. It's a one month health experiment that has lasted more than 15 years!
Corrie became a vegan five years ago after attending the Toronto Vegetarian Food Fair and learning more about the evils of the dairy industry. She hasn’t looked back. “I realize now that dairy really slows my body down. I encourage everyone to try a vegan diet for at least a month to see the difference,” she says.
Corrie is a triathlete, artist, avid music lover and active volunteer for various organizations. Her two dogs, Ziggy and Meiko, and rabbits Pellet, Betty and Gloria keep her very busy along with numerous interests. Corrie says her vegan diet is integral to her active lifestyle, and that people often ask how she's able to do so many activities. Her response is that without her healthy vegan diet, she wouldn’t have the fuel to do what she does every day.
This award-winning graduate of Carleton’s Environmental Studies program says she is surprised about how little the public hears about greenhouse gas emissions from the meat and dairy industry in the media, and thinks it’s scandalous that the biggest source of greenhouse gases has been swept under the rug and mostly ignored.
Wanting to connect with like-minded people and help promote plant-based diets, Corrie contacted the NCVA in fall 2007 to help organize Ottawa’s first Veg Fest, and has since taken on many additional duties. She encourages anyone interested to get involved with the NCVA.
Neil has been a vegan for more than 10 years but an Ottawan only since fall 2009. Shortly after arriving in Ottawa he found the NCVA by Googling for vegan potlucks. He was impressed by the scope and quality of the organization’s projects and soon became a regular volunteer.
Born in the U.K., Neil is polite and drinks a lot of tea. He is a software developer, enjoys cooking, and likes vegetarian pub nights that are held near the canal so you can skate to them.
Neil lives in Little Italy with his wonderful partner Erin, two feisty Boston Terriers, and a little tabby cat.
Kim Marston has been a vegetarian for 11 years, and an off and on vegan for eight years (currently on since 2009). She became involved with the NCVA in early 2009 after attending one of its pub nights, and quickly showed her commitment by organizing the first Veg Fest silent auction which raised nearly $1,000 for the NCVA. Kim has been a key part of the NCVA team ever since.
She is vegan out of health and environmental concerns, but also because of her love of animals and concerns over factory farming. Her love of animals inspires her participation in other activities including horseback riding, hiking, and agility and flyball with her dogs. She has also been a volunteer for several years with the Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.
Kim holds a Bachelors Degree in Applied Science in Public Health from Ryerson University, and is currently employed as a Public Health Inspector. She shares her home with three dogs, three cats and a loving and supportive partner.
Pamela Tourigny was the NCVA's president for nearly four years, since shortly after it was founded, and is currently its communications director.
As well as serving as NCVA president, Pamela founded the NCVA's newsletter, "Capital Veg News," the NCVA blog VegOttawa, and the NCVA's long-running vegan potlucks. She has also been involved with launching and organizing Ottawa Veg Fest, developing the membership discount program, fund raising and sponsorship, and increasing the NCVA's membership and profile in the community.
Pamela became a vegetarian more than eight years ago after researching a university paper on the environmental consequences of eating meat. She eventually learned about the animal rights and welfare issues with the egg and dairy industries, and consequently became vegan nearly seven years ago. "I believe it's important to create an environment in which people can feel comfortable and supported. That's where the NCVA comes in," she says. "We offer support, and are striving to make Ottawa a more veg-friendly place for everyone."
She attended Carleton University on a partial scholarship, and is a top graduate of its renowned Journalism program. She grew up in Tweed Ontario, where hunting and farming are commonplace. She has worked for six years as an advertising writer and editor for a major daily newspaper, and before that, as the editor of construction publications. She shares her home with three adopted cats, a supportive partner, and two stepchildren.
Pamela enjoys running (she's run several half marathons), hiking, snowshoeing, ultimate Frisbee, and staying active in general. She is also doggedly attempting to become bilingual through courses and self study.
Nadia Walcott first became involved with the NCVA in 2009 as a Veg Fest volunteer, because she wanted to promote the benefits of a plant based diet within the community and to engage with like-minded individuals. These days, she's busy organizing the Veg Fest silent auction and helping out in any way she can.
"I approached the NCVA to help organize this year's Veg Fest, and I was told they needed someone to be the silent auction coordinator. I jumped at the opportunity and began with placing phone calls and sending email messages to secure items," Nadia says. "Through this, I decided I wanted to play a more active role within the NCVA. I am very happy with the decision I've made, as I've met some amazing volunteers along the way."
Living in a way that's socially responsible is very important to Nadia. "This includes making decisions that support responsible treatment of humans and the environment, such as buying fair trade and organic products when possible. Veganism is also part of that for me," she says
Nadia has Bachelor's degree in Law with a concentration in business law from Carleton University, and a diploma of college studies in social sciences from Vanier College in Montreal. She's currently pursuing a professional degree with the Insurance Institute of Ottawa and is employed as a casualty multi-line adjuster with an insurance company in Ottawa.
Nadia is also a volunteer with the Ottawa Mission and Ottawa Food Bank, and enjoys running and yoga.
Erin became a vegetarian in her early teens, right around the time she realized her parents were not gods and could not actually force her to eat meat. She became a vegan when she was 21, right around the time she got the internet.
She has a Master’s and a PhD in sociology. As a day job, she does statistical research for the federal government. On the side, she studies vegans, what turned them into vegans, and how weird it can be to be a vegan in an omnivorous world.
A lover of all things (vegan) food-related, she’s proud to be the coordinator of the NCVA’s new Restaurant Outreach Program and to contribute regular recipes and restaurant reviews to the the NCVA’s blog.
Erin lives in Little Italy with Neil, Wally, Spike, and Mia.
David Fournier is passionate about being vegan and committed to reducing the amount of suffering caused to animals by humans, whether directly or through environmental impact.
A newcomer to Ottawa, David quickly found his way to the NCVA and has been involved since December 2010. David strives to spread the word regarding the many benefits to personal health, the environment, and animal welfare afforded by plant-based diets. He believes that we are all responsible for each choice we make and for seeking out sufficient information regarding the impact these choices may have. David was a past volunteer with the Toronto Vegetarian Association.
David has a Ph.D. in French linguistics from the University of Toronto and is currently employed in the federal government sector. His hobbies include cycling, exercising, and cooking. He is fascinated by languages and communication, is a proud Francophile, and is currently studying Spanish in his spare time.
Dave Loan is the co-owner of Zen Kitchen, Ottawa's premier vegan restaurant, and is in charge of the vegan wine list.
Formerly a professional political strategist, Dave was the campaigns manager at the International Fund for Animal Welfare and led the fight for improved animal cruelty legislation.
Dave and his partner, chef Caroline Ishii, are the subjects of a TV documentary series, "The Restaurant Adventures of Caroline and Dave."
Brenda Davis, registered dietitian and nutritionist, is a leader in her field and an internationally acclaimed speaker. She has worked as a public health nutritionist, clinical nutrition specialist, nutrition consultant and academic nutrition instructor. Brenda is currently the lead dietitian in a diabetes intervention research project in Majuro, Marshall Islands.
A co-author of six books - the best-sellers, Becoming Vegetarian, The New Becoming Vegetarian, Becoming Vegan and Defeating Diabetes, Dairy-free and Delicious, and the newly released Raw Revolution Diet. Her 7th book was released in the summer of 2009.
Brenda is a past chair of the Vegetarian Nutrition Diabetic Practice Group of the American Diabetic Association. In 2007, she was inducted into the Vegetarian Hall of Fame.
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Come visit NCVA’s outreach table at the Orleans Wellness Expo on January 21st, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans. $7 at the door.
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Venez nombreux à la table de sensibilisation de l’AVCN à l’Orleans Wellness Expo le 21 janvier, 9h-16h au Centre des arts Shenkman à Orléans. 7$ à la porte.
Join us on January 26 from 6:30-9:30 at the Atomic Rooster, 303 Bank St.
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Joignez-vous à nous le 26 janvier de 18h30 à 21h30 au resto Atomic Rooster, 303, rue Bank.
January 24 from 7-9 pm at 464 Metcalfe St. Must RSVP in advance! Join Jim Thompson (Notre Petite Ferme) and Corrie Rabbe (NCVA) to learn about transitioning to a more local, plant-based diet.
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Le 24 janvier, 19-21h à 464, rue Metcalfe.
Il faut réserver à l'avance! Joignez-vous à Jim Thompson (Notre Petite Ferme) et à Corrie Rabbe (AVCN) pour apprendre comment vous pouvez vous alimenter localement tout en suivant un régime à base de plantes.
Get your groove on at Ottawa Veg Ball! December 10, 2011, 8:30 pm at the Montgomery Legion. Space is limited so get your tickets quickly!! All proceeds will be donated to local animal-friendly charities.
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Bougez en rythme au Bal végé d’Ottawa! Le 10 décembre, 2011, 20h30 à la légion Montgomery. Les places sont limitées, alors réservez-en une dès maintenant! Toutes les recettes de l’événement seront reversées aux organisations caritatives dans la région qui aident des animaux.