About Us

Executive Director

After completing her studies in biology, Jill went on to start Synergy Enterprises in 2008 to support business and industry shift towards a low carbon future. In 2013, she additionally launched Synergy Foundation, since then Jill continues to balance her roles as CEO for Synergy Enterprises and ED. Jill can often be found spearheading Synergy Foundation’s expansion projects, sharing her knowledge with the entrepreneurs in our incubator program, and transporting hundreds of seed starts for FED’s various food security initiatives. In her down time Jill can be found exploring Vancouver Island with her chocolate lab.

Director of Program Operations

Georgia joined Synergy when she made the decision to settle on Vancouver Island after years of living in various communities across Canada from east to west. With experience as a hospitality manager, Georgia brings her strong organizational skills and her industry insights to her role. Passionate about the green economy and social equity, Georgia is compelled to find tangible solutions for businesses that strive to make a positive impact. Outside of work Georgia can be found exploring mountain bike trails and honing in her skills as a certified yoga teacher.   

FED Managing Director

As the FED Program Manager, Brianna brings community-focused urban agriculture projects to life while advocating for a sustainable food economy on Vancouver Island. Brianna holds a BSc in Food & Environment from UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems and spent years in the sustainable restaurant scene, championing local food and the slow food movement in a variety of roles. Her role with FED bridges the gap between experience and a passion for agriculture and food sustainability. Outside of work, Brianna spends time exploring with her dog Sox and finding any excuse to travel the world and eat. 

Green Business Program Manager

Jarret works with Synergy’s various non-profit programs, assisting with marketing, communications, and program operations. Passionate about the green economy and motivated by creating positive change and helping others do the same. After acquiring a BA in Economics and Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria, he split time consulting for the automotive recycling industry and developing sustainability programs for the hospitality industry. In his spare time, Jarret is likely fishing, swimming, or finding a patio to enjoy. 

Manager of Communications & Strategic Initiatives

Emily combines her passion for communications, green business, and sustainable food systems as Synergy's Marketing and Communications Manager. She joins the team with a Technical Writing Certificate from BCIT to complement her Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo. Her work is informed by her varied background, which includes everything from aquaculture research and municipal recycling to organic farming and outdoor retail. In her down time, Emily can be found backpacking, pottering around her garden, learning about herbal medicine, or reading her way through a stack of library books.

Manager, Operations & Circular Economy Projects

Tai is an award-winning environmental professional with over a decade of experience working with local government, First Nations, private industry and community groups to re-envision waste as a resource and rethink systems towards circularity. She has worked on solid waste management planning, waste diversion program development and implementation and public consultation. Tai holds an MA in Environment and Management from Royal Roads University. Outside of work you can find Tai exploring nature with her family and foraging for fungi.

Green Business Associate & Project Manager

A recent graduate of the BSc Biology program from the University of Victoria, Deep is passionate about working towards reversing the impacts of climate change and fostering the transitions towards a regenerative and circular future.  At Synergy, Deep found the perfect place to combine his knowledge of local ecosystems and technical abilities, encouraging businesses to adopt a cleaner working model. In his downtime Deep likes to connect with nature, hone his bird identification skills or go for a paddle on a sunny day!

Circular Economy Project Manager

Maddy is passionate about finding the overlap between economic development and sustainability. After acquiring a BA in Economics and Accounting from Western University, she gained experience in supply chain management, accounting, and marketing. At Synergy, she combines her business background with her passion for sustainability, working with BC businesses to find ways to implement circular practices in their operations. In her spare time, Maddy enjoys camping around the island with her friends, working on building a jungle in her apartment, and tackling fun sewing projects.

Circular Economy Associate

Luiz is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and moved to Canada in 2015 to pursue his education, graduating from the Bachelor of Business Administration – Sustainability program at Royal Roads University. Combining his passion for Business and Sustainability, he previously worked helping startups and green tech entrepreneurs to structure and raise capital for their businesses and projects. On his time off, Luiz is probably watching, playing, or commentating football (soccer). He also loves spending time at the beach on sunny days and watching series with his partner when it's too cold outside for him.

Office & Events Manager

Erica is passionate about supporting good work. Her role as Operations Coordinator for Synergy Foundation and Synergy Enterprises allows her to use skills gained through work in the adventure tourism industry to support team members. Before joining the Synergy team, Erica enjoyed a seasonal lifestyle traveling throughout British Columbia connecting with people and the wilderness. She landed in Victoria periodically throughout the years, and began rooting herself in Vancouver Island culture which sparked a passion for urban farming, education, and food security initiatives. When Erica is not coordinating various operations, she spends her time playing outside with her dog, Watson. Together, they love to hike, bike, chew on sticks, surf, and explore.

FED Program & Farm Operations Manager

After completing her Bachelor of Science in Regional & Urban Planning, Ashley felt inspired to pursue a career in urban agriculture as a means of connecting people to local food systems and cultivating more sustainable cities. Over many fruitful years of growing food, Ashley has also taken to the underground world of soil microbiology, studying and learning firsthand how stewarding soil can improve the health and resilience of both plant and human communities, while providing tasty abundant food for all!  Ashley loves nothing more than hiking with her dog around the island, cooking up and sharing tasty dishes from the garden, and crafting up DIY projects whenever she gets a chance.

FED Manager of Special Projects & Engagement

Alistair’s ambition is to utilize local food production as a catalyst for transforming our society’s relationship with the environment. Throughout his philosophy degree at UVic, Alistair fell in love with Victoria’s cycling infrastructure and culinary scene. His previous experience in fine dining and urban farming opened Alistair's eyes to the opportunity to reconnect people with the food systems that sustain them. When Alistair is not down at the farm, he spends his time coaching rugby, wrestling with his dog or on his bicycle.

FED Project Coordinator

Madisen believes in social equity and food security for all. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Political Science with a minor in Public Administration at the University of Victoria. Madisen has a background in urban farming and is excited to gain more hands-on experience. Her role as FED’s Project Coordinator will allow her to engage with members of the community and drive positive impact on Southern Vancouver Island. In her spare time, Madisen enjoys reading fantasy novels, hanging out with her cat Nikita, or spending time at the beach.

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

After completing her Masters of Development and International Cooperation, Mariana has worked on various projects focused on advancing Sustainable Development Goals, involving both public and private sectors. She joins the team with a Digital Marketing certificate to complement her background, combining her project management skills with impactful communication strategies. In her spare time, you can find her surfing or participating in a beach cleanup, practicing yoga, or doing arts and crafts.

Accountant

Shannon is passionate about sustainability and environmental stewardship. She joins our finance team with several years experience working in the hospitality industry while actively contributing to the implementation of eco-friendly practices within her work and personal life. Beyond her professional endeavors, Shannon volunteers her time to providing education to the public on how to coexist harmoniously with our natural world. In her spare time, Shannon can be found outdoors exploring nature in the form of hiking, climbing, camping, or studying her latest trail cam footage of local wildlife.