Empowering the Future: Meet the New LFS Young Alumni Council

The Faculty of Land and Food Systems at UBC has always been home to a passionate and engaged community of students and alumni.

The Young Alumni Council continues to build on this spirit by fostering meaningful connections between recent graduates, current students, and industry professionals. Made up of diverse alumni leaders, the council is dedicated to empowering the LFS community through networking, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.

As we step into a new chapter, we are thrilled to introduce the 2025 Young Alumni Council Executives. These leaders bring a wealth of experience, enthusiasm, and shared commitment to bridging the gap between campus and career for LFS graduates.

Meet the Executive Team

Annabelle Liao – President

Annabelle graduated from the Global Resource Systems program, specializing in sustainability and social impact. She has led capacity-building initiatives for students, staff, and faculty through UBC Campus and Community Planning, consulted for non-profit organizations and startups, and represented youth at the UN Climate Change Conferences. After an internship at Vancity on their Climate Strategy and Performance team, she joined Foresight Canada, the country’s largest cleantech accelerator, as a Research Analyst. In this role, she identifies market-ready innovations that align with industry climate targets. She also directs Project Arrowroot’s Youth Activator program, scaling climate education and professional development for high school and university students.

Aldona Czajewska – Vice President of Professional Development

Aldona graduated from the Applied Animal Biology program and has gained experience in various aspects of higher education, including research, student engagement, curriculum development, teaching, and sustainability education. At Langara College, she initiated her own research project titled “Project Pollinator Count” which provided student research assistants opportunities to gain real-world research skills. In her former UBC role in climate action, engagement and outreach, Aldona led student teams to deliver high-impact sustainability programming and workshops across campus.

David Liu – Partnership Manager

David graduated with a degree in Food, Nutrition, and Health. Over the past decade, he has built a successful career in Vancouver, developing strong relationships and driving strategic collaborations. Currently, David serves as the Director of Strategic Customer Development at Kuehne+Nagel, where he leads efforts to develop and maintain key customer partnerships. His previous roles include Supply Chain Manager at XL Flooring Co Ltd and Procurement Strategy Manager at International Herbs Ltd, where he made significant improvements in inventory management and supply chain resilience.

Andrew Nguyen – Vice President of Entrepreneurship

Andrew graduated with a dual degree in Food, Nutrition, and Health and Master of Management. He navigated the challenges of graduating during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 by launching successful food businesses. Andrew’s entrepreneurial drive led him to NLPatent, an AI tech start-up, helping to shape business strategy and operations. Currently, he is expanding his expertise in business strategy and leadership through Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition while working at Riipen, an EdTech platform connecting students to experiential projects with small businesses.

Chris Yeung – Vice President of Marketing and Communications

After earning his degree in Food Market Analysis, Chris followed his passion for sports event management, working for major events like the RBC GranFondo Whistler and the BMO Vancouver Marathon. He later made a career pivot, spending two years living and working in Banff National Park. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris took time to reflect on his aspirations and decided to return to school, completing an MBA at UBC. With experience at TELUS and Intuit TurboTax, he now focuses on bringing new products, services, and offers to customers who need them.

Bisi Zhang – Vice President of Community Engagement

Bisi graduated from the Food, Nutrition and Health program and later pursued her Master in Global Entrepreneurial Management in San Francisco. She has a strong passion for wine and has worked in both frontline and analytical roles in the wine and spirits industry. Her previous positions include Business Analyst at Andrew Peller Imports and Authentic Wine Merchants. Currently, Bisi works as an Operations Analyst at the BC Liquor Distribution Branch, where she specializes in optimizing operations and identifying business opportunities through market and data analysis.

Building a Stronger LFS Alumni Network

The LFS Young Alumni Council is dedicated to creating opportunities for alumni to stay connected, grow their professional networks, and support one another in their career journeys. Through networking events, mentorship programs, and industry panels, the Council provides invaluable resources for young alumni navigating life after graduation and current students planning for the future.

Stay tuned for upcoming events and opportunities by following the LFS Young Alumni Council on LinkedIn.

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