OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The We Grow Food Board
Our Board of Directors is made up of dedicated community leaders who believe in the power of growing food together. They support our mission, guide our vision, and help ensure that We Grow Food continues to thrive and make a meaningful impact across Durham Region.
Carol Vandersanden
With over 35 years of experience in entrepreneurship, culinary work, and urban agriculture, Carol brings leadership and hands-on food education to We Grow Food.
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Carol Vandersanden has been a local entrepreneur for over 38 years. She studied business at Ryerson University and went on to open an event and catering company complete with a 500-seat conference centre. Her life as a chef has kept her closely connected to local, sustainable food sources, and she has been growing her own food for over 25 years, harvesting up to 2,500 lbs of produce each year from her front yard garden.
Eight years ago, Carol wrote and produced the film Experiments in My Vegetable Patch, interviewing urban farmers about their motivations for growing food. In 2013, she and six fellow urban growers founded We Grow Food. Since then, the organization has installed over 28 gardens across Oshawa (including private kitchen gardens and neighbourhood community gardens), and created and delivered more than 40 educational programs. Highlights include the Seed Saving Program and the Salsa Program, offered through the Durham District School Board, Oshawa Public Libraries, local seniors’ centres, and community gardens.
Carol has spoken at Ontario Tech University, Durham College, local schools, CAS, Rotary Clubs, Power of Women groups, and Chambers of Commerce, sharing both the work of We Grow Food and the importance of bringing education beyond the classroom. She believes that hands-on learning around food, how to grow it, harvest it, and prepare healthy meals, is a basic life skill that everyone should have access to.
Carol continues to guide the organization’s growth and is committed to sharing her 35+ years of experience with as many individuals and communities as possible.
Michelle Perry
With a background in Child and Youth Work and experience supporting at-risk youth, Michelle brings meaningful community engagement and program leadership to We Grow Food.
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Michelle started her career as a Child and Youth Worker working in foster homes, group homes, and as a pier support at schools in the DDSB. Her area of focus is working with “at risk” youth. Her experience with youth has been an asset to We Grow Food as we engage with Lakeridge Adolescent Outpatient and Youth Justice demographics. Michelle has been a volunteer and program leader with We Grow Food for the past two and a half years. Michelle manages all the Social Media Platforms & heads up the garden’s maintenance with the seasonal volunteers.
Denise Nickerson
Denise is an educator and school leader who is passionate about outdoor learning, community connection, and creating meaningful learning experiences for students.
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Born and raised in Oshawa, Denise is a current employee of the DDSB. She started her career teaching science and math in elementary schools with some correspondence work for secondary in grade 11 and 12 Biology. Denise has been a school administrator for over 18 years, and has loved her experiences at Mary Street Community School, Glen Street PS, and John Dryden PS, where outdoor experiences and connections to students, caregivers, and educators to rich experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
For the past 3 years Denise has been the System Lead for Indigenous Education, Outdoor Environmental Education, Multilingual Language Learners (MLL), and International Education. Most recently her portfolio has adjusted to focus on the Math Strategy for the district, as well as continuing to support MLL and Summer programs.
Denise thrives in learning spaces and is currently in her second year of the Doctorate of Education (EdD) at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), where she is a part of the Applied Psychology and Human Development (APHD) program in Child Studies with a focus on mental health and wellness. Denise’s Dissertation in Practice looks at the neuroscience of outdoor education and how regular meaningful connection and learning outside can support healing and wellness in children who have experienced trauma.
Denise is humbled and excited to be a part of this board, and looks forward to working and growing with everyone.
She also has an adorable grandson named Zen and a black lab named Story. They all love spending time in the woods, or on the beaches of BC when given the chance to travel and visit her daughter and her family.
Amanda Chapman
Amanda Chapman is a long-time education leader who supports We Grow Food’s mission by connecting schools, community, and food security across Durham.
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With over 20 years of experience in education, Amanda Chapman brings leadership grounded in collaboration, student-well-being, and inclusive school communities. As a Principal and now System Lead at the Durham District School Board, she has worked closely with diverse stakeholders, supported leaders, and guided schools through complex challenges with a human-rights-centered lens.
Amanda’s initial connection to We Grow Food came when she partnered with the organization as a school-principal. She was struck by the founders’ deep passion for inspiring students and building food-security through connection, and she soon knew she wanted to support the mission. Today as a board member, Amanda is committed to helping We Grow Food deepen its impact across Durham by aligning education, community and nourishment.
Outside of her professional role, Amanda is newly cultivating a love of gardening and cherishes time spent outside in nature. She also enjoys construction and building projects, the creativity of baking, and any endeavour that allows her to imagine, design and bring something to life. Through these interests, she underscores one of her guiding beliefs: that growth thrives through care, connection and creativity.
She is honoured to serve on the We Grow Food Board of Directors and looks forward to collaborating with her fellow board members, staff, volunteers and community partners to nourish the soil of our region’s future.
Deb Oldfield
Deb is a DDSB Trustee, life skills coach, artist, and community organizer who is passionate about empowering others and inspiring positive change.
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Deb is a DDSB Trustee, a certified Life Skills Coach and Artist with over three decades of experience in the field of labour relations and community empowerment as a labour and community activist and organizer. Deb is a leader with a passion for innovative and positive change.
Michelle Vis
Michelle blends her love of nature, gardening, and working with children to help inspire the next generation of young growers.
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Michelle is a retired elementary school teacher who is passionate about spending time outdoors and in nature, being active, and gardening. Volunteering for the past few years with We Grow Food and the Edible Garden Project is the perfect recipe for Michelle, as it meets her desire for working with children and fulfills her need to contribute to the community; helping to enable future generations to build the necessary skills to grow their own food.
Katie Carnaroli
With experience in both the insurance field and intuitive support work, Katie blends practical expertise with a compassionate, people-centered approach.
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Meet Katie, a dedicated insurance broker whose days are filled with passion and expertise in navigating the complex world of insurance. By night, their heart and drive shifts gears as they channel their energy towards helping people find clarity in their lives using the gift of clairvoyance. This dual identity showcases a commitment to both professional excellence and a deep-seated desire to make a positive impact on individuals’ lives beyond the realm of insurance.