Heather O'Hara
Heather brings over 15 years of leadership experience in non-profit, social enterprise and social innovation to her role as Executive Director at BC Farmers’ Markets, representing 145+ member farmers’ markets and 6,000+ small business vendors across all corners of BC. A creative thinker and doer, Heather is passionate about all things farm and food, entrepreneurship, community economic development and empowering all people and communities to prosper. Heather also believes in reconciling relationships with our food systems, land, water, sky and its diverse inhabitants, embracing Indigenous ways of knowing and leveraging the untapped potential of regenerative agriculture as solutions to the impacts of climate change.
Heather is an innovative leader and elevator who brings organizations and initiatives to the next level. Prior to joining BC Association of Farmers’ Markets, Heather served as Executive Director with the award winning social enterprise Potluck Café & Catering, which creates jobs and provides healthy, fresh food for people living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. In addition, Heather was the founding Board Chair of the Hastings Crossing BIA and for a brief period served as Executive Producer at CityStudio. Along the way, Heather has mentored and supported dozens of social entrepreneurs, non-profits and social enterprises.
After completing the KPU Tsawwassen First Nation Farm School program, Heather founded Filly Farm, an organic, small scale farm demonstration project, horse powered by manure compost and growing epic vegetables. An avid horse lover and owner, Heather is privileged to live, work and play in Delta on the traditional territory of the Tsawwassen and Musqueam people.
A transplanted prairie girl from Treaty 1 territory in Manitoba, Heather acquired her MBA, along with Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies, all from the University of Manitoba.
Tenure
- Elected in 2023
- Currently serving a first term (2023-2026)
Committees
- Member, Audit Committee
- Member, Governance Committee
- Member, Technology Committee