Our Team

Robyn Rees
HFC Founder and General Manager, 2014-present

Through her engagement in the local food movement in Montreal and at Concordia University, Robyn became convinced that focusing on building resilient food systems is the key to engaging society in ensuring a liveable future. For the past 8 years she has been dedicated to learning and engaging in all aspects of building sustainable food systems from ecological, social and economic perspectives, at both practical and theoretical levels. She is committed to building networks and communities of knowledge and practice through her role as the general manager of the HFC, and is excited about the potentials for a more resilient Hudson.

Briony Lalor
HFC Director of Programs and Development, 2020-present

Briony joined the HFC team in 2020 as Director of Programs and Development. In her own words, “Food is the great connector! The holistic mission of the HFC couldn’t be more important right now. It holds a vision of the future grounded in reciprocity and respect - for one another and the land," Briony has a BSc in Natural Resource Management and PhD in soil ecology and mine rehabilitation. She has diverse experiences managing natural and social research, policy and community engagement projects. She is passionate about finding ways to facilitate community and ecosystem restoration through knowledge and skill sharing. While not working with the HFC, she serves on the Board of Directors of local non-profit Nature Hudson and Ottawa-based non-profit Evidence 4 Democracy.

Noel Dhingra
Farm Manager 2019-present

When Noel became Farm Manager at the Heartbeet in 2019, he brought with him seven years of professional experience in organic agriculture, including two years as co-owner of Cadence Ecological Farm. Noel sees food as an integral part of how healthy environments and communities interact. He dedicated years to developing and delivering programming with Community Food Centres Canada that highlight food as both a social justice issue, and an influence on personal and community health. He seeks to increase access to sustainable agricultural practices and the dialogue around them so that more people participate in the role their local farms play within their community.