Liz Blakeway, MUrb
Liz is a systems change practitioner, with 15 years of experience in sustainability program creation and implementation, policy planning and development, and community engagement. An early passion for waste reduction and recycling education and program development set the foundation for her food systems work. Liz has loved working in and with the community on projects ranging from zero waste schools curriculum delivery and community composting initiatives in Western Australia, to shifting community behaviour change at the District of North Vancouver.
Over the past five years as the Coordinator, now Executive Director with Land to Table, Liz has grown the organization from a small, consultation based network, to a staffed organization that is addressing local food system gaps through projects, research and partnerships (e.g. with local government and Indigenous communities). Liz is most proud of the ongoing work L2T is doing with UBC Okanagan campus – to create innovative solutions for local food procurement; and the L2T response to the 2021 flood and fire events, through the OKIB Fire and Flood Recovery Meat Drive.
With an understanding that systems change often requires policy change, Liz is a recent participant of the Public Policy Institute – applying this learning of policy landscapes and power to L2T advocacy work. Her combined experience and passion for developing solutions across sectors and systems lends a meaningful approach to all her community based work. She has a strong desire to undertake projects in partnerships that build trust and are designed to have lasting impact.