MEET OUR TEAM!
Staff Team
Executive Director
Kitty Raman Costa (she/her)
With over 8 years of dedicated experience in non-profit leadership, Kitty is committed to supporting her community. Grateful for the opportunity to be deeply engaged in food justice, security, and sovereignty, she holds firm in the principled belief that food is a fundamental human right.
Outside of the Parkdale Community Food Bank, you will find Kitty pursuing many hobbies including textile arts, cooking and caring for her plants and two senior pets!
Favourite Spot in Parkdale: Parkdale Library and Studio Brillantine
Go-to recipe: Pea & Salmon Fishcakes (can sub canned tuna!)
Managing Director
Alicia Gunning (she/her)
Alicia has 12 years of experience in strategy, leadership and design. She has been working in the food security/food waste sector for 10 years and working with growing enterprises since 2010. Her biggest passion is design. Designing communications, building systems and shaping sustainable and equitable communities.
Favourite spot in Parkdale: A tie between Paper Plus Cloth and The Rhino
Go-to recipe: Smash Chicken Caesar Salad Tacos
Volunteer Program Manager
Clare Rutledge (she/her)
Clare joined the team in February 2023 as one of our Delivery Coordinators and moved into her current role in July 2023. Clare is the main line of support for volunteers, and is responsible for recruiting, training, mentoring and empowering our active volunteers.
After 20 years in the Hospitality Industry, she decided to go back to school as a mature student, and graduated last year as a Social Service Worker.
Some of her hobbies are hiking, camping and event planning.
Favorite spot in Parkdale: The Mezz
Go-to recipe: Curried Butternut Squash Soup
Delivery Program Manager
Sophie Mihevc (she/her)
Passionate about food justice and community care, Sophie's previous work experience includes school garden programming, urban gardening and farming. She has an educational background in social work and is grateful to be involved in work that supports her community.
Some of her other passions include crocheting, reading, biking, playing with her cat and attempting to grow veggies on her balcony.
Favourite spot in Parkdale: Larry's and the Parkdale Library
Go-to recipe: Garlic Soup
Finance & Office Manager
Adam Nymann (he/him)
Adam joined our team in 2025. With a diverse background in community building, project management, design, marketing, and DEI work, he is eager to bring his talents to the PCFB community.
With an educational background in Gender and Social Justice Studies and Indigenous Studies, Adam is aware of the multitude of systemic issues that affect food sovereignty and accessibility. He is passionate about work that strives to give all people agency over their own lives, and creates an equitable world for everyone.
In his spare time, Adam enjoys playing the piano, going on hikes, swimming, exploring towns and cities, and trying new cafes.
Favourite spot in Parkdale: Robinson Bread and Public Butter Vintage
Go-to recipe: Boerenkool Stamppot
Operations Manager
Joey Nicholson-Landau (they/them)
Joey became involved in food justice when they started volunteering with the Community Fridges Toronto (CFTO) in 2020. During their time at CFTO, they contributed to fundraising, event organizing, and community outreach.
Joey joined the PCFB team in November 2024 and is passionate about human rights advocacy, mutual aid organizing, and community outreach. In their spare time, they enjoy making art and watching cartoons.
Favourite spot in Parkdale: Larry's
Go-to Recipe: Roasted Broccoli
Food Bank Coordinator
Sara Abboud (she/her)
Sara started volunteering with the PCFB in 2023 and has held different volunteer and staff roles since then. She currently helps run our drop-in shopping program and creates content for our social media. People who know her would tell you that the PCFB is like her second home, but when she’s not there, she enjoys baking and crafting.
Favourite spot in Parkdale: Parkdale Hall Sunday Market
Go-to Recipe: Tabbouli
Delivery Program Assistant
Leah Harwood (she/her)
Leah completed her student placement at PCFB from January 2025 to April 2025 and is so happy to be working here now. She graduated from Humber College with a Social Service Worker diploma in May 2025, and prior to that had a long career in customer service. She has worked in the pet industry, manufacturing industry, and domestic and cross-border logistics.
When she is not working, Leah spends time with her wife, daughter, and three dogs. They love to go camping, and take road trips. She also spends time taking care of her collection of plants, reading, and watching horror movies.
Favourite spot in Parkdale: Himalayan Kitchen
Go-to Recipe: Thai Green Vegetable Curry
Our Board
Chair
Matthew Myers (he/him)
Matthew is an award-winning brand, communication, and digital strategy expert with over 30 years of experience helping leading charities further their missions. Co-Founder of A.K.A. New Media Inc., Matthew currently provides digital strategic consultation and volunteers at the PCFB. He and his wife are raising their 4 kids in the Parkdale community.
Favourite spot in Parkdale: Sunnyside Provisions (and their give back program)
Go-to Recipe: Easy Chicken & Veggie Bake
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Vice Chair
Liza Kobrinsky (she/her)
Liza has been with the Board since March 2023 and has been supporting financial forecasting and strategic planning. She has an economics and public policy background and has been working in policy for over 10 years.
Favourite spot in Parkdale: any spot where she can enjoy the murals and street art of Parkdale
Go-to Recipe: Lobio
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Treasurer
Brad Rether (he/him)
Brad Rether joined the Board in January 2025. He brings over 30 years of leadership experience in financial management, strategic planning, and operational excellence from his tenure at TD Bank Financial Group. A long-time Toronto resident deeply committed to his community, Brad is passionate about advancing food security and fostering inclusivity.
Favourite spot in Parkdale: The Rhino
Go-to Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Board Member
Jane Laughton (she/her)
Jane has been serving on the Board since 2022. Although she recently moved out of the neighbourhood, Jane was a long-time resident of Parkdale and continues to have a strong tie to the community. Jane specializes in Human Resources and is deeply appreciative of the opportunity to lend her expertise to the benefit of the Food Bank.
Favourite spot in Parkdale: the Milky Way
Go-to Recipe: Cheesy Potatoes
Board Member
Sherri Hasmatali (she/her)
Sherri grew up in Parkdale, attended both Parkdale Public and Parkdale Collegiate. She was a volunteer for many years at another food bank and soup kitchen and was thrilled when she had the opportunity to join the Board. She thoroughly enjoyed getting the new Dunn location up and running and looks forward to continuing to support the food bank in all of its endeavours.
Favourite spot in Parkdale: Ali's Roti Shop or Simpl Things
Go-to Recipe: 3 Ingredient Oatmeal Cookies
Board Member
Tara Monks (she/her)
Tara is a recognized collaborative leader with over 25 years experience in a variety of settings and roles that provide services for vulnerable populations in the not-for-profit sector. Her areas of expertise include Fund Development, Program Management, Communications, Community Development, Therapeutic Recreation Programming, Volunteer Management and Strategic Planning. Currently, Tara is the Director of Resource Development with Distress Centres of Greater Toronto and has been with the organization for the past six years. Tara grew up in the west end of Toronto and believes that access to food and housing is a basic human right. She is excited to join the board at PCFB and help her community. In her spare time, Tara is an avid reader and walker who enjoys nature and exploring urban markets with her two teenage daughters
Favourite spot in Parkdale: Made You Look Jewelry
Go-to Recipe: Fajita Hasselback Chicken
Board Member
Tom Combs (he/him)
Tom is a lifelong public defender who recently relocated from the United States to Toronto. After several months reviewing cases at Innocence Canada, he now works as Duty Counsel with Legal Aid Ontario in the Toronto office. He first encountered PCFB as a volunteer delivery driver and is proud to give back to the city he loves as a member of the Board.
Favourite spot in Parkdale: Larry's Folly
Go-to Recipe: Saag Paneer
Board Member
Chelsea Barnett (she/her)
Chelsea Barnett is a people and culture leader with experience in both the corporate food sector and the non-profit world. She lives in the neighbourhood and brings expertise in organizational development, DEI, and strategic execution. A recent CivicAction DiverseCity Fellow, she is passionate about community building and equity, and is proud to support the essential work of the Parkdale Community Food Bank as a board member since 2025.
Favourite spot in Parkdale: Tammy's
Go-to Recipe: A Baked Salad