Meet the Team

A Trent Severn Food Collective

Hands planting young green seedlings in soil in a garden bed.

Amanda Longley

Founder & CEO

Amanda has a versatile background within various industries, including: automotive, agriculture, construction, education, finance, hospitality, insurance, medical R&D, recreation, retail, transportation, and security. In her late teens, she had the opportunity to teach English as an International Exchange Student in South America. This drastically changed her worldly views.

Later on, in 2023, Amanda came across a chance through a marketing company that she is contracted by. Following, she asked the manufacturing company to start a non-profit company of her own!

She has found a new, creative purpose for garden seeds. Amanda has worked tirelessly to bring together the right group of people to make this a reality.

Watering can pouring water on green plants in garden

Emily Kingston

COO

Emily has over 15 years of project management and corporate strategy experience with out-of-the-box thinking.

She comes to us with a stellar two-decade background in customer excellence. Emily has reinvented her professional journey and brings empathy and leadership to our team. She empowers team members to be authentic and do their best work.

We all know this world and be bitter and cold. She is full of heart, and might even help your dog a little bit with her dog service business too.

A person's hand holding a small seedling plant with roots, soil, and green leaves, with trays of similar seedlings in the background.

Jennifer Ross

CFO

Jennifer brings 40 years of bookkeeping and accounting to our team. She has lived in and managed housing cooperatives.

She is a liaison for clients and the government interpreting and problem solving within various companies. Jennifer has focused on advising on financial matters, tax preparation, and budgeting with 30 years of experience running her own business.

She is the master of all things tea, and knows how to let things be. Plus, has a passion for gemmology and adores nature walks.

Eight metal spoons arranged in a circle, each filled with different dried herbs and flowers, on a stone surface.

Charles Kerr

Chair of the Board

Charles has been a part of the journey from the beginning in the Trent-Severn Waterways. He has been a Board of Directors member and Chair of the Board of Directors for various organizations.

Now, he is living in British Columbia, but has been a red sealed Chef since 1997, and would be happy to cook you a dream plate.

We might be missing something sweet. Where is the honey? He is a bear!

With many years of being in the kitchen, you would be tastefully delighted.