Meet the team

Gillian Flies (she/her) is the Executive Director of The New Farm Centre, and a co-founder of The New Farm. Gillian is a farmer and an active leader in movements for regenerative and organic farming. Known for her ability to convene and connect stakeholders from different areas of the food system, Gillian has been instrumental in creating strategies and policies to support on-farm climate action in Canada. She is a representative on the federal government’s Sustainable Agriculture Strategy Advisory Committee, a board member and past President of the Canadian Organic Growers, and a founding member and past board chair of Farmers for Climate Solutions. For almost twenty years, Gillian and her husband Brent have owned and operated The New Farm, a profitable organic vegetable operation near Creemore, Ontario. In 2023 they transformed their farm business into The New Farm Centre, a charitable organization dedicated to mitigating climate change by developing, demonstrating and advocating for a regenerative farming system.

In addition to her farming career, Gillian has worked as a public sector management consultant and in international democratic development in Africa, Asia and South America. She is committed to building a food system that is just and sustainable.

Brent Preston (he/him) oversees farming operations and is the Director of Policy at The New Farm Centre, as well as a co-founder of The New Farm. He is the past President of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, and is a founding member, past Executive Director and current President of Farmers for Climate Solutions. Brent is the author of The New Farm: Our Ten Years on the Front Lines of the Good Food Revolution, a national bestseller. Brent worked as an election observer, human rights investigator and journalist on four continents before launching his farming career.

Sophie Duncan (she/her) is the Director of Programs at the New Farm Centre. Sophie’s previous work as a consultant, researcher, and project manager has been at the intersections of social, economic, and environmental justice issues. Her food systems experience includes work as a Fulbright Researcher in Morocco, collaboration on development strategies for a farmworkers rights organization in the United States, team coaching related to food justice in the GTA, behavioural insights research on Canadian food policy, and food access programming in Vermont. Sophie also coaches teams and is a former co-manager of the Leading Social Justice Collective. She is a board member at the Fair Finance Fund and holds an MBA from UofT’s Rotman School of Management.

Sharon McCormick (she/her) is the Operations Manager at The New Farm Centre.

Following a successful career in the public sector, Sharon brings over 15 years experience working as a socialpreneur in the community services sector to address social issues including health, poverty, food security, affordable housing and social inclusion.

As an ally, advocate and change agent, Sharon is driven to make a positive impact in our community. Residing in Creemore, her current role at The New Farm Centre will enable operations, communications and fundraising to meet its laudable goals for a resilient planet and food system.  In her spare time, she is on the Board for the Collingwood Paddling Club and volunteers with the Creemore Food Bank to provide food skills education and cookies!

Chris Kornacki (he/him) is the Farm Manager at the New Farm Centre. Before joining the team at the New Farm Centre, Chris ran his own holistic health and farming business, Farmacare Regenerative Health and Fitness.

Chris is passionate about building resilience and forgiveness into landscapes by mimicking natural ecosystem processes. He is continually fascinated by the symbiotic relationships between tiny, microscopic organisms in healthy soils, plants, grasses, the animals that graze on them, hydrology, nutrition, and health.

Chris aims to adopt practices that create a net positive environmental impact, maximize animal welfare, improve working conditions and nourish communities.

Chris loves talking about regenerative agriculture as much as he enjoys practicing it. When he’s not out moving the cattle or flipping the compost pile, you can find him leading farm tours or making presentations at public speaking events.

Brandi Bechard (she/her) is the Experiential Education Manager at the New Farm Centre. On a mission to inspire connections between people, food, and the land, she designs and leads hands-on programming that immerses participants in regenerative agriculture practices and tangible climate solutions.

In 2018, Brandi founded an organic land-care company aimed at transforming yards into liveable outdoor spaces brimming with food and function, while empowering homeowners to be responsible stewards of their landscapes. With previous experience as a greenhouse program coordinator, course developer, and instructor at an Ontario public college, Brandi continues to create engaging curricula that blends together science, storytelling, and meaningful learning experiences. For every visitor at the New Farm Centre, Brandi strives to foster a lifelong curiosity and appreciation for nature’s rhythms.

Jenn Jansen (she/her) grew up on four acres of greenhouses just outside London, ON, where she propagated a lifelong love for plants of all kinds. She holds a BFA in Theatre Production from York University and spent a decade working as a Stage and Production Manager before returning to the country to raise a family. Prior to joining the New Farm in 2019, she was the Production Manager for the environmental education charity Earth Rangers for six years, followed by running her own artisanal business for another 5 years. Jenn coordinates a number of annual events for the Dunedin Village Hall, where she sits on the board. Jenn is thrilled to bring her three decades of event management and production experience to the Centre.

Meghan Robbins (she/they) is the Garden and Volunteer Coordinator at The New Farm Centre. Prior to coming to The New Farm, Meghan was a Toronto Chef for 15 years. In an effort to switch gears within the realm of food; it was their interest in community, sustainability, and regenerative agriculture that helped redirect their passions.

Meghan sought out to connect with growers utilizing organic and traditional land practices to begin their journey in varied vegetable production. Their previous culinary experiences and current farming philosophy helps to keep them grounded in ideologies surrounding food security, diversity, food waste, and climate change.

Sanna Huyssen (she/her) is the Farm and Education Coordinator at The New Farm Centre. She is a recent graduate from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, majoring in Horticulture, and has returned to the farm for her first full season to keep building her career in agriculture.

Raised in Collingwood and surrounding area, Sanna’s work outside of agriculture has included retail and customer service, child care and education, wilderness guiding, and more. Sanna’s role at The New Farm Centre allows her to combine several passions: climate conscious food production, educational programming, and food security work.

Jenna Livingston (she/her) is a creative thinker who is passionate about helping people connect with the land and the food they eat. A visual learner at heart, she believes thoughtful design and compelling stories can make complex ideas more accessible, spark curiosity, and inspire deeper engagement.

After six years in outdoor education and growing cut flowers on her family farm, Jenna pursued a Master’s in Landscape Architecture, where she discovered new ways to teach, communicate, and build connections through design. Drawing on experience in agricultural research communications and community-based initiatives, she values collaboration and the opportunity to share the ideas, innovations, and people shaping a more regenerative future.

Divita Sarjoo (she/her) is the livestock production assistant at the New Farm Centre. She is a 3rd-year kinesiology student at Wilfrid Laurier University who enjoys hands-on, outdoor work and learning through experience. With a background in farm work and animal care, she is especially interested in regenerative agriculture and the role farming plays in building healthier communities. When she’s not working or studying, she enjoys fishing, hiking, and spending time outdoors.

Jeff Zober is the Garden Production Assistant at the New Farm Centre. He is a Collingwood local dedicated to community-based work and to building resilient food systems through organic and regenerative agriculture. With hands-on experience in farming, health food retail, culinary environments, and music education, Jeff works to strengthen connections between food, health, and community. 

Jim is a 4th generation farmer near Creemore, Ontario. He and his family have a VBP+ certified 50-head commercial Charolais cow-calf herd. Jim is a VBP+ auditor and has audited farms from Thunder Bay to Sarnia, as well as throughout the Maritimes.

Jim is very active in his community, including roles with the Simcoe County Beef Farmers, as well as the church, community hall, minor hockey, curling, and other community initiatives. Jim has completed the Canadian Forage & Grassland Mentorship program and has served on the Ontario Forage Council.

Steve is a farmer in northern Dufferin County, Ontario. He and his wife and four children run a 45 head commercial cow calf operation and are actively seeking to increase their cattle numbers. Their farm utilizes rotational grazing techniques that enhance soil health, improve forage quality, and optimize cattle performance. Steve is also a mentor with the Ontario Forage Council. He believes strongly in the importance of sharing knowledge and best practices with fellow farmers, and is excited to mentor others in adopting innovative approaches to grazing that benefit the environment, the livestock and the operation.

Chuen Perez Victoriano is from Tocatlán, Tlaxcala, Mexico. He has spent 13 seasons working at The New Farm.

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Chuen Perez Victoriano es de Tocatlán, Tlaxcala, México. Tiene 13 temporadas en The New Farm.

Luis Manuel Pérez Victoriano is from Tocatlán, Tlaxcala, Mexico. He has spent 13 seasons working at The New Farm.

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Luis Manuel Pérez Victoriano es de Tocatlán, Tlaxcala, México. Tiene 13 temporadas en The New Farm.

Juan Carlos Pérez Victoriano is from Tocatlán, Tlaxcala, Mexico. He has spent 12 seasons working at The New Farm.

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Juan Carlos Pérez Victoriano es de Tocatlán, Tlaxcala, México. Tiene 12 temporadas en The New Farm.

Armando de Jesus Rodriguez is from San Marcos Cuajomulco Jocotitlan, Mexico. He has spent 10 seasons working at The New Farm.

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Armando de Jesus Rodriguez es de San Marcos Cuajomulco Jocotitlan, México. Tiene 10 temporadas en The New Farm.

Javier Hernandez Ramirez is from Yahualica, Hidalgo, Mexico. He has spent 10 seasons working at The New Farm.

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Javier Hernandez Ramirez es de Yahualica, Hidalgo, México. Tiene 10 temporadas en The New Farm.

Valentín Arista Blancas is from Ocuilan de Arteaga, Mexico. He has spent 8 seasons working at The New Farm.

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Valentín Arista Blancas es de Ocuilan de Arteaga, México. Tiene 8 temporadas en The New Farm.

Robert has over 45 years of diverse real estate experience starting in Scotland and moving to Vancouver in
1988 where he worked in commercial real estate and then created Chesterman Properties. Chesterman has
received the Vancouver Mayor’s Environmental Achievement Award and an Ethics in Action award for its
work in creating beautiful, healthy and sustainable homes and workspaces. Chesterman has developed multi-
family strata and market projects and also, with partners, owned and operated two resorts and a campground
in Tofino BC. Since 2008 Robert has also brought his expertise to non-profit real estate development including consulting
with numerous non-profit organizations develop their real estate for affordable housing and non-profit
program space. In 2013, Robert founded Catalyst Community Developments Society. Catalyst is a non-profit
that develops, owns and operates below market rental homes and affordable community spaces. Under
Robert’s leadership Catalyst completed eight projects, with a further eight under development, for a total of
1,400 homes and over 80,000 sq ft of community and commercial space.
Robert, throughout his life, has consistently endeavored to blend his pragmatic real estate and business skills
with a passion for social justice and environmental stewardship. He believes that when these two worlds
“mesh” we can create a space where people can truly flourish.

Mr. Blundell has over 40 years of senior executive management and consulting experience in the global Sustainability/ESG and technology sectors.  His experience includes operations management, corporate and market development, mergers and acquisitions, new business initiation, and consulting.  He provides senior leadership and board of director support to Cleantech ventures, including companies working on nature-based solutions, sustainable drinking water, e-waste recycling, water and wastewater treatment, transportation, and regenerative agriculture. He is currently the interim CEO of a Danish biodiversity MRV, FaunaPhotonics, that continuously monitors insect population behaviours as a proxy for natural ecosystem health, quality, and diversity.

He is an Executive-in-Residence and Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.  He is also an advisor to The Danish Government’s GreenEdTech initiative, which delivers sustainability content in the national high school curriculum to prepare students for the jobs of the future. Mr. Blundell holds a BSc from the University of Toronto and an MBA from IMD, Lausanne.

Heather recently retired from BDO Canada where she was the Office Managing Partner of the Collingwood office, and Group Managing Partner of 11 local regional offices. Over her long career at BDO, Heather was a client-facing partner in the areas of accounting, tax, financial advisory services, and auditing. Heather is now consulting, offering business strategy and financial oversight to a number of companies across Ontario. She is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario and Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia. Heather has particular expertise and interest in nonprofit finance, and serves on several boards, including at the Law Foundation of Ontario, the Victim Justice Network, and Elephant Thoughts Educational Outreach.

Brian Lawson is a Vice Chair and a Director of Brookfield Asset Management. Brian joined Brookfield in 1988 and has held a number of senior management positions in Brookfield’s investment and finance operations, including serving as CFO of Brookfield Asset Management from 2002 to 2020. In 2013, he was selected as Canada’s CFO of the Year by PwC, FEI Canada and Robert Half International. He was previously co-chair of the Canadian CFO Chapter of the Prince of Wales Accounting for Sustainability.

Through the Brian and Joannah Lawson Family Foundation, Brian is active in promoting changes in the food system to promote better outcomes for human health and the environment. Brian is Chair of the board of directors of Community Food Centres Canada and past Chair of the Governing Council of the University of Toronto. Brian is a proud recipient of the university’s Arbor Award for volunteer service as well as the Doctor of Sacred Letters (honoris causa) from Trinity College, University of Toronto.

As co-founder and president of the Brian and Joannah Lawson Family Foundation, Joannah feels honoured to collaborate with other philanthropic foundations, not-for-profits, universities and think tanks to move Canada and the world toward nutrient dense food systems that are produced sustainably to help mitigate climate change.

Before becoming certified as a nutritionist, Joannah led a successful career in organization change management in the high-tech industry and was recognized with the Nortel President’s Award of Excellence in Innovation. She completed her graduate studies at the University of Toronto and is the proud recipient of the university’s Arbor Award for volunteer service as well as the Doctor of Sacred Letters (honoris causa) from Trinity College, University of Toronto.