Hello to the Embark community! I’m Desiree Gabriel (she/hers) and I’m extremely humbled and excited to start my career as the Programs Manager at Embark! I’m especially looking forward to supporting SFU students who are curious and learning about sustainability, and hoping to transform that curiosity into action.

A little about me: I love cooking and celebrations, I love urban spaces and community, and I love when all of these intermingle. I’m super grateful that I was able to identify my passions due to my experiences with people and food in the lower mainland and internationally, which have then guided the trajectory of my professional and academic life. In university, I majored in geography with a focus on environmental sustainability and urban studies, and I was able to participate in student clubs, job opportunities, and initiatives that centred equity in sustainability and community. At this current moment, my interests lay in food justice and food sovereignty (exacerbated by BIPOC food activists, vegetarians, and vegans on tik tok and instagram!!). However, I know that I have so much more room in myself to learn more and do more — so, catch me at the next community kitchen session and let’s cook and chat together!

During the weekend and after my 9-5 shift, you can find me cliff jumping and playing spike ball in the summer and snowboarding in the winter. Year round, I volunteer with different community groups, explore the local food scene with my friends, watch anime, play the piano, and attempt to learn different languages!