Board of Directors

My name is Salma Yarjani and for over a decade I’ve worked alongside newcomers in different roles and settings. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of supporting immigrant and newcomer families across Canada, and I’ve seen firsthand both the challenges they face and the resilience they bring to our communities.

I believe deeply in our mission to share kindness by making food accessible to newcomer families. Food security is a basic human need, no one should have to worry about how they will feed their family.

With Foodeliver, I manage the grants and research team, supporting the work behind the scenes so we can continue growing our impact. What inspires me most is being part of an organization that not only reduces food waste, but also ensures families feel respected, welcomed, and supported as they build their new lives here.  I’m truly grateful to work alongside such a compassionate, like-minded team and to play a small part in bringing comfort and relief to the families we serve.

Bio goes here

Doug Engler, is an experienced business leader, advisor, and entrepreneur with 25+ years of success in manufacturing, technology ventures, and strategic growth. He has held senior leadership roles in aerospace, plastics, and millwork manufacturing, and most recently served as Regional Manager at Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, where he supported dozens of startups and growth-stage companies. With an MBA and a background in engineering, Doug combines deep operational expertise with a passion for scaling businesses, mentoring entrepreneurs, and driving innovation. 

Rostam Mehdi-Pour immigrated to Canada in 1990, studying art history and philosophy during his undergraduate studies, before earning his Master’s degree in architecture. After teaching historical architecture at Carleton University for several years, in 2009, he transitioned into entrepreneurship, bringing creativity and a multidisciplinary perspective to the world of hospitality. He runs Silk Road Restaurant, introducing  Persian cuisine to the people of Ottawa for the past seventeen years.

Ali Shaker, is an educator, researcher, and community builder who believes no good meal should ever go to waste—or go unshared. After years in education and non-profit leadership, he founded Foodeliver to make food access simple, sustainable, and full of heart. His vision: fewer hungry families, less wasted food, and a city where kindness travels on four wheels. Because delivery brings dignity. Many families can’t always reach food banks or carry heavy bags on buses so bringing food to their door ensures access with respect, privacy, and care. We meet families where they are, not where they have to go.

Responsibilities: Oversees partnerships, strategy, volunteer coordination, and community outreach.

Hobbies / interests: Marathon running, discovering new vegetarian recipes, road trips with family, and coming up with big ideas over strong coffee!