BMDA Crew

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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Zachary has dedicated over a decade to community and economic development in Ottawa. He has worked as a Federal lobbyist focusing on Post Secondary Education, served as the Executive Director for the Wellington West Business Improvement Area, and has acted as the Director of the Ottawa Centre constituency at the Federal level.

BUSINESS INTEGRATION MANAGER

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Jeanne contributes a strong commitment to social and environmental sustainability to the team. Equipped with a master's degree in business strategy, she possesses substantial expertise in critical strategic analysis and metrics evaluation. Raised in France, Jeanne's cultural background includes a dedication to supporting local producers at public markets, reflecting her belief that eating locally is a vital environmentally friendly practice.

GENERAL MANAGER

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Melanie is deeply immersed in the world of markets, boasting over a decade of experience in market management in Ottawa and beyond. Her passion lies in collaborating with producers and fostering community engagement with local artisans and makers. Melanie comes equipped with a background in environmental studies, with a concentration on local food systems and food security. She is also a board member with Farmers Markets Ontario - eastern Ontario representative.

MANAGER, COMMUNICATIONS

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Victoria, a former radio anchor and news director, brings extensive experience in writing and communications to her role at the BMDA. With over a decade in local news, her passion for community engagement has evolved into a keen interest in municipal governance and affairs. In her current position, Victoria is tasked with shaping and improving the market's public image, as well as developing and executing the corporation's branding and marketing strategy.

COMMUNICATIONS CORDINATOR

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Valentina's appreciation for public spaces and marketplaces started at a young age and continued through her formative years. With a background in farmers' market management, Valentina has now turned her sights to public market communication. Having travelled to the bustling stalls of the Plaza Minorista José María Villa market in Colombia to the Mercado de La Boqueria market in Spain, Valentina brings a wealth of knowledge of open-air-market concepts to the ByWard and Parkdale markets.

MARKET COORDINATOR: OPERATIONS

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Over the last decade, Craig has collaborated with local small businesses to enhance public markets in eastern Ontario by supporting farmers and entrepreneurs. His goal is to revitalize the ByWard and Parkdale markets, transforming them into community spaces that promote health and well-being with a commitment to accessibility for all.

MARKET COORDINATOR

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Taylor is passionate about cultivating community and supporting local BIPOC businesses. In addition to market coordination, Taylor also oversees office management, vendor coordination, and seasonal staff supervision. With a love of all things local, Taylor has blurred the lines of work and fun in their day-to-day life.

MARKET COORDINATOR: PARKDALE

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Tina Barton, the owner of Hungry Babe, has been a vendor at the Parkdale Public Market since her business's inception. This experience has provided her with valuable insights into the workings of a public market, offering a unique perspective from both the vendor and market management sides.

Tina also has an extensive background in food retail. This, combined with being a small business owner, makes her an invaluable member of the market team!

PROPERTY MANAGER

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Samson is responsible for overseeing the daily activities of commercial properties in the ByWard Market district. With close to ten years of experience in managing both commercial and residential properties and a foundation in Business Administration, Samson is actively pursuing certification as a property manager (CPM designation) through the Real Estate Institute of Canada.

MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR

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Asieh is a Jane-of-all-trades at the ByWard Market District Authority. She is hands-on, handling everything from setting up seasonal stands to decorating the building while coordinating countless other invisible tasks. Asieh ensures the smooth daily operation of the ByWard and Parkdale Market areas.