Management Team

Faris Ahmed Director, Policy & CampaignsFaris joined USC Canada in 2005 and leads policy work in close collaboration with ecological agriculture, biodiversity and food sovereignty networks in the South and in Canada. He is an active member of the civil society networks of the Committee for World Food Security (CFS), the CBD Alliance and Food Secure Canada. Faris has worked at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Oxfam, South Asia Partnership, and as a photographer/writer covering environmental issues. He holds an MA in International Development Studies from the University of Toronto.

Jeff de Jong Director, International ProgramsJeff joined the USC Canada team in September 2016. He holds an MBA and brings considerable knowledge on value-chain development, cooperative development and years of experience developing and managing strategic, operational andbusiness processes involving smallholder farmers in Latin America and Africa. More recently he worked as a business advisor and team manager on a food security and climate resiliency agricultural project in Ethiopia.

Marie Dulude Senior Assistant to the Executive DirectorsMarie has been with USC Canada for more than 30 years, serving as translator, program manager, and now as Senior Assistant to the Executive Directors. She is also responsible for supporting the Board of Directors of USC Canada. One of her career highlights was her tenure as Program Manager in Ethiopia when the Seeds of Survival program was born more than 20 years ago. “Nothing can beat the experience of stepping into the village chief’s humble abode to request permission to visit with his villagers and to learn from them.”

Elodie