Laura is a rising star in the environmental and food security sectors in Toronto, and has already received an incredible array of accolades for her innovations.
Founder and Director of Not Far From The Tree, Laura has been named a “woman to watch”
by Chatelaine Magazine (December 2009), a “local food visionary” by the Toronto Star (September 2010), a “local hero” by Post City Magazine (April 2010), and she has been featured as one of 18 Torontonians with a chapter about her in former Toronto Mayor David Miller’s book, Witness to a City (Cormorant Books, 2010). Not Far From The Tree is Toronto’s very own fruit tree project, working to ensure that the fruit growing from Toronto’s trees is picked, shared, eaten, and enjoyed.
Prior to founding Not Far From the Tree, Laura worked in community and education programs at the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Art Gallery of York University, and the Toronto District School Board. She has also initiated several of her own arts-based, environmental programs.
Laura will use her Vital People grant to attend courses to enhance her ability to lead a growing organization, including courses in strategic leadership at the Institute for Conservation Leadership program for Executive Directors.
