Pamela Phan is a lifelong resident and community worker in the Jane-Finch community, working in food and climate justice, anti-poverty, and community-building based on care. She holds a Master of Arts in Political Science from York University and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) at Queen’s University where her research focused on the role of technology in social movement organizing across the world, with an emphasis on abolition and decolonization. Pamela is also a proud graduate of Sundance Harvest Farm School and Yellowhead Institute Radical Policy School, which strengthened her knowledge of farming and food systems, community building, racial justice, and liberation which continues to spark a variety of grassroots movement organizing alongside BIPOC youth, intergenerational, and local groups.
Currently, she works in advocacy and community engagement at North York Harvest Food Bank, where her frontline work goes hand in hand with policy and strategy development for community-led long-term solutions to poverty. Her commitment to anti-poverty, climate justice, and community care is deepened through her connections from past and ongoing work and volunteer experience, including with Society for the Living Nuneyi Community Farm; St. Stephen-in-the Fields; Climate Justice Toronto; Youth Leadership for Social and Environmental Transformation: Food, Climate, Justice; Youth Climate Action Initiative; and the Hub Organizing Committee for the Jane-Finch Community Hub and Centre for the Arts. Now serving the Black Creek Community Farm in the executive committee as the Secretary, she is eager to continue supporting her community by putting into practice governance structures and initiatives grounded in food justice advocacy and coalition building.