Kathleen Yung
About Kathleen Yung
Kathleen Yung is a Food Security and Healthy Eating Specialist at the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia, Canada. With a background in engineering and anthropology, she focuses on empowering First Nations communities through food sovereignty and healthy eating initiatives.
Work at First Nations Health Authority
Currently, Kathleen Yung serves as a Food Security and Healthy Eating Specialist at the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia, Canada. She has held this position since 2017, focusing on empowering First Nations communities. Her work includes revitalizing traditional knowledge and skills related to food systems, which enhances food sovereignty within these communities. Kathleen develops networks of expertise and resources to build capacity in First Nations organizations, ensuring that they can effectively address their food security needs.
Previous Experience at Engineers Without Borders Canada
Kathleen Yung worked with Engineers Without Borders Canada as Overseas Staff from 2004 to 2007, spending three years in Zambia. During her tenure, she contributed to various initiatives aimed at improving local food systems and community resilience. This experience provided her with valuable insights into international development and the complexities of food security in different cultural contexts.
Education and Expertise
Kathleen Yung holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo, where she studied from 1998 to 2003. Additionally, she earned a Master's degree in the Anthropology of Food from SOAS in 2012. Her educational background equips her with a unique interdisciplinary approach, combining social science and engineering to tackle complex issues related to food security and healthy eating.
Role at The Firelight Group
From 2014 to 2016, Kathleen Yung worked as a Research Coordinator at The Firelight Group in the Vancouver, Canada Area. In this role, she was involved in research initiatives that focused on Indigenous communities and their relationship with food systems. Her work contributed to understanding the dynamics of food security and the importance of integrating traditional practices into contemporary food policies.
Influencing Public Policies
Kathleen Yung actively influences public policies to promote healthy choices among First Nations populations. She provides strategic input on nutrition and food security policies to various stakeholders, including provincial and federal governments. Her efforts aim to create an environment that supports healthy eating and addresses the unique challenges faced by First Nations communities.