OUR TEAM
ALEX HAWES
Executive Director
Alex began her journey as a support worker at Atira Women’s Resource Society in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Fuelled by a commitment to equality and empowerment, Alex became the manager of Housing Outreach and Women’s Health & Safety Liaisons, where she spearheaded initiatives aiding some of DTES’s most vulnerable populations. She went on to work for Progressive Housing Society in Burnaby, where she managed 52 units of low-barrier, supportive housing.
Hailing from Smithers, BC, and raised amidst the beauty of the Kootenays, Alex holds a deep appreciation for the land and the communities she lives and works in. She firmly believes access to nutritious and reliable food sources is a fundamental right and is essential for building healthy communities. Alex’s intrigue with ancient history adds depth to her rich tapestry of experiences. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Religion, and Major in Classical Studies from Bishops University in Quebec.
ANDREW CREIGHTON
Development Director
Andrew, who has a background in marketing and communications, is a lover of good food and the power it has to bring people of all stripes together. At the Food Centre, he keeps busy communicating the great things going on (and raising the funds to help make them happen).
EMIL FISCHER
Food Access Coordinator.
Emil’s lifelong passion for growing things, along with his DIY approach, means he feels very much at home in the Nelson Community Food Centre Garden. His mastery of composting, gardening and working well with others comes from helping out in a double-lot family/urban garden from a young age.
AINSLEAH HASTINGS
Food Access Coordinator.
“I want the world to be united through healthy and happy food and to thrive together” – Jeong Kwan
Ainsleah brings a diverse working background that blends culinary experience with a deep commitment to social justice. Her career has spanned a multitude of roles, many centered around creativity, food security, and fostering inclusive spaces. She believes that access to nutritious food is a fundamental human right and that both cooking and work should be enjoyable and inspiring. Ainsleah is dedicated to using her culinary knowledge and varied experiences to support initiatives that help everyone thrive. She views the Nelson Community Food Centre as a place where her diverse passions can flourish, contributing to a more interconnected and vibrant community. Ainsleah enjoys finding innovative ways to create beautiful, nourishing meals with limited ingredients, seeing cooking as a form of communication and a way to connect with people through the universal need for good food.
“Good food is very often, even most often, simple food” – Anthony Bourdain