Celebrating International Women’s Day 2022
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the international host of women who make City Harvest what it is, a food rescue mission fuelled by passionate people.
From the US, to New Zealand, to our very own west London, the wonder women of City Harvest can be found in our Food Council, board of Trustees, Associate Board, in our warehouses sorting surplus and loading vans, and throughout our London community of food donors and charity partners.
Here are just a few of the fierce females involved in the both the legacy and the daily running of City Harvest London:
Laura Winningham OBE
Laura Winningham co-founded City Harvest London in 2014 and was CEO until 2021 when she stepped down to focus on strategic partnerships. Laura was on the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours list, receiving an OBE for service to the community during the pandemic. Laura’s ambition and tenacity, nurtured on Wall Street, New York, led to the continued growth and impact of City Harvest London.
Laura Winningham receives OBE from the Prince of Wales in Summer 2021, alongside husband and co-founder & vice chair, Stephen Winningham.
Kathy Street BS, JD
Kathleen Street, BS, JD, has more than 20 years of legal experience in both the US and the UK. She is our Director of Legal and Business Affairs and has worked in the daily affairs of City Harvest since inception.
Kathy Street (right) and Laura Winningham (left) attend the Lord Mayor’s Show in 2021, with our ‘Lockdown Love’ legacy van, alongside the City of London-backed Livery Kitchen Initative.
Chantelle Nicholson
New Zealand-born Chantelle Nicholson, chef, author, and restauraunteur, joined City Harvest’s Food Council est. 2021. Founding members span the food industry and beyond, sharing a collective passion to rescue food, people, and planet. Sustainability champion, Chantelle, is due to open new restaurant, Apricity, Mayfair, in Spring 2022. Her sustainable new eatery will have programmes in place to support staff, as well as minimise food waste- definitely worth a visit!
“I am delighted to be part of City Harvest’s Food Council. The vital work they do to feed hungry people by utilising surplus food fulfils an important need for people, and planet.”
Chantelle Nicholson’s Apricity:
“Menus will be centred around hyper-seasonal, sustainable produce from small-scale farmers and locally foraged ingredients, with a zero-waste approach to cooking.”
Joanna Gravier
American-born Joanna chairs City Harvest’s “Associate Board”, est. 2021. City Harvest’s Associate Board serves to bring fresh new ideas to the charity’s vibrant sustainable solution to food poverty. This group of young professionals bring fresh perspectives, relationships, and new audiences to instigate positive change for London and beyond.
“Between the climate change crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic, it has never been more relevant and important to tackle food poverty and food waste.
The City Harvest Associate Board is a group of ambitious, hard-working, future leaders of tomorrow that are both inspiring and inspired by our mission. We support City Harvest with fresh, creative ideas that can boost its fundraising potential, connect it to untapped audiences, and keep its message relevant so we can continue our critical mission to save food, people and the planet.”
Joanna’s current professional role is an Equity Campaign Manager at Crowdcube, which she fulfils alongside her commitment to City Harvest London.
Shelaine Perera-Wiggins
The amazing Shay has been driving for City Harvest since Feb 2021, having started as part of our Acton fleet and then on to the New Spitalfields team, delivering surplus food to communities in north and east London. Hailing from west London herself, Shay’s knowledge of London streets is second to none.
Shay understands the ultimate sacrifices parents have to make to feed their children. By delivering vital, City Harvest food, Shay helps to prevent this from happening to others in similar situations.
“Shay is amazing. She has been one of our regular drivers. Whenever I am running a bit late, she’ll unload for me, bless her,and wait around till I get here. It’s people like that, who dedicate their time in such an impactful way, who truly make a difference. It’s all about giving back to the community. Without people like City Harvest or Newham Community Project, people wouldn’t get fed. We feed over 2000 people a week.”
Yasmin, Newham Community Project
Shay delivers out of our New Spitalfields Market depot, east London, to charities in boroughs including Islington, Haringey, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham.
Mayrose Vydelingum
Mayrose is City Harvest’s record-breaking volunteer, having given over 730 hours of her time to City Harvest’s mission in our Acton warehouse. A truly exceptional woman and vital part of the City Harvest team – thank you, Mayrose 💪🏼
Mayrose donning her City Harvest fleece in her home away from home: our Acton depot.
