Kajam (KJ) Kunarajasingam
President
Joined 2023
Kajam is currently the Director of Governance & Compliance at Quality Cheese Inc, influencing the development, implementation and continuous improvement of site quality systems to enable long-term company vision and strategic business objectives. Prior to this, Kajam has served in the food industry for 24 years, all of which encompassed significant experience and leadership in quality, food safety and regulatory compliance. He has worked in companies such as Dominion Citrus, Kraft Canada, Silliker Canada and Lounsbury Foods.
Kajam holds a diploma in Industrial Microbiology and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Masters certification. He is an SQF Practitioner and certified PCQI. He is keen on bringing his experience and high degree of passion to strengthen food safety standards while building effective food safety management systems to protect the food supply and shape the next generation.
Kajam is a member of the website/newsletter committee, finance committee, fall event and the student outreach program.
Tanya Waraich
Vice President
Joined 2025
Tanya is the Strategy and Innovation business partner on the Business Transformation team at Compass Group Canada, where she intentionally brings forward innovative tools and practical solutions that address real business challenges while embedding risk, safety, and operational considerations into the design of change.
With over a decade of experience in food safety, quality assurance, and risk management across food manufacturing, grocery retail, and food service, Tanya brings a practical perspective to transformation and innovation. Prior to joining Business Transformation, she led corporate food safety programs at Compass Group Canada, including HACCP and SQF implementation, and previously managed corporate food safety training for the Metro Inc. grocery chain.
Tanya is recognized for her ability to turn complex regulatory and risk requirements into clear, actionable strategies that support both compliance and business performance. She is passionate about knowledge sharing and industry collaboration, contributing through podcasts, webinars, and her involvement with organizations such as Food Allergy Canada.
She holds a Bachelor of Engineering and Technology degree from McMaster University and currently serves as Vice President of OFPA and Committee Lead for Education Outreach.
Marin Pavlic has over 20 years of food safety and Six Sigma experience in food manufacturing and foodservice sectors. He is currently serving as Senior Director of FSQA at Maple Lodge Farms, Canada’s largest independently owned poultry processor. In addition to food safety, he is passionate about continuous improvement and waste elimination using technology, data and various Six Sigma tools.
Marin holds a B.Sc. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Toronto, an M.Sc. in Food Safety and Quality Assurance from the University of Guelph, and an MBA from the Wilfrid Laurier University.
Stephen Vijayakumar
Treasurer
Joined 2025
Stephen is a member of the Fall Event, Finance, Student Engagement, Marketing, and Social Media committees.
Ellen has been working in Food Safety and Quality roles for ten years. She worked in different product categories such as condiments, dressings, cheese and cream cheese, peanut butter, spreads, coffee and tea, baking and breakfast ingredients, and beverages, to cite a few. She has worked in companies like Kraft-Heinz, Costco and Loblaws. She is currently a Corporate Quality Manager at Nestle Canada, responsible for some food categories and VMHS. A couple of years ago she started her consulting company – Gravi Food Safety Inc.
She is an Advanced SQF Practitioner and PCQI. She has experience with different standards like SQF, BRC, FSSC 22000, RSPO, RFA, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, Organic and Vegan. She thrives in solving problems and troubleshooting. Environmental Monitoring Program will always have a special place in her heart.
Ellen’s educational background includes a bachelor’s in Biology, a Food Science certificate, and a Ph.D. in Immunology and Microbiology. She is always interested in learning something new and developing her professional and leadership skills. She can help you plan your trips (in English, French and Portuguese) as she loves to travel. She also volunteers in different environments (sports, music, fundraisers) and one comfort food is ramen.
Ellen is a member of the Fall Event, Social Mixer, and Membership, and co-chair of the E-blast committees.
Dharamdeo Singh is currently engaged in his PhD studies at the University of Guelph. His experience stems from a rich academic background rooted in academia. His journey began as a teaching assistant, then as a lecturer where he has made significant contributions to the field of Food Science. During his career, he demonstrated his expertise and dedication by conducting research focused on developing value-added products such as ketchup, salad dressings and cereal. Dharamdeo research also encompassed conducting field studies in rice and wheat, further showcasing his diverse skillset.
His current studies primarily focus on developing effective strategies for controlling Salmonella in low-water-activity foods. Throughout his journey, he has exhibited a deep passion for advancing the knowledge and understanding of Food Science. His outstanding accomplishments and dedication to his field make him an asset in the academic community.
Dharamdeo is a member of the Fall Event, Social Mixer, Marketing and Social Media committees.
Jinky Austria has over 20 years of experience, spanning different industries from Environmental, to Life Sciences, and the Food Industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management, and has held positions as Laboratory Technician, Project Manager, and Technical Sales Representative. She is currently working as a Sales Manager for Romer Labs, where she fosters relationships and provides food safety and diagnostic solutions to the Food and Beverage Industry, Milling and Grain Industry, Animal Feed and Production Industry, the Pet Food Industry, and Research and Laboratory Industry.
She is passionate about learning and developing new skills. Jinky is fluent in Tagalog and is currently learning Spanish. She is also a foodie and enjoys exploring new and different places.
Jinky is a member of the Fall Event, Website, and Sponsorship committees.
Wendy Dillon is a seasoned food scientist with over 25 years of hands-on experience in the food manufacturing industry, specialising in quality assurance and food safety. Wendy’s career spans a wide range of roles, from HACCP Coordinator to Director of R&D and Quality Assurance. Throughout her career, she has managed and implemented internationally recognized standards such as BRCGS, SQF and other GFSI-benchmarked programs obtaining excellent audit scores. Her practical insights and common-sense approach make her a trusted expert in the field and food science and quality management.
She currently works as a Food Safety Specialist at Sani Marc, supporting clients across Canada with pre-assessment audits, technical training, and quality initiatives. She is dedicated to public speaking and training with clarity and passion.
Wendy holds a B.Sc. Food Science from the University of Guelph.
Sam Davidson
Director
Joined 2026
Sam Davidson has over thirty years of food safety experience in food manufacturing and foodservice sectors with extensive experience in HACCP, SFCR, FSMA, PCQI and GFSI requirements. Sam has held positions in production, auditing, corporate, training and consulting, all focusing on food safety. He is currently Director, Food Safety with Compass Minerals, a leading global provider of essential minerals, specializing in salt for food, industry, deicing and specialty plant nutrition, where he is responsible for the food grade facilities in North America.
Sam studied Food Science and Technology and MSc. in Food Safety management in his native country, Northern Ireland.
Sean Berdan is the Owner and Principal Consultant of CleanOps Quality Consulting, where he helps food manufacturers strengthen sanitation systems, improve food safety performance, and build practical programs that withstand the demands of production while meeting regulatory and customer expectations. His approach combines technical expertise with hands-on operational experience, working alongside plant teams to deliver sustainable improvements that reduce risk and enhance performance.
With more than 35 years of experience across meat, dairy, canning, frozen foods, and ready-to-eat (RTE) manufacturing, Sean has developed expertise in sanitation system design, environmental monitoring, quality assurance, audit preparation, regulatory compliance, sanitary design, and continuous improvement. Having worked throughout the industry—not just as a consultant—he understands the operational challenges facilities face and develops solutions that are practical, measurable, and achievable.
In addition to leading CleanOps Quality Consulting, Sean serves as a Senior Sanitation Advisor with Culture Advisory Group (CAG) and is a past instructor and program builder with the Craig Richardson Institute of Food Processing Technology at Conestoga College. Through consulting, training, and mentoring, he is committed to helping organizations strengthen food safety culture, develop high-performing teams, and create systems that drive long-term success.
Sean is recognized for translating complex food safety and sanitation challenges into practical strategies that improve compliance, operational efficiency, and audit readiness. Whether preparing a facility for an SQF audit, strengthening an environmental monitoring program, or coaching frontline sanitation teams, his focus remains the same: delivering performance-driven results that protect consumers, brands, and business performance.
Sean holds a Bachelor of Science from Western University and maintains certifications in SQF Practitioner and Internal Auditor, HACCP Levels I & II, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), Certified Food Industry Leader (CFIL), and Sanitary Design. His broad industry experience, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to continuous improvement have made him a trusted advisor to food manufacturers across North America.
Nehal Patel is the Director of Quality Assurance & Food Safety at FGF Brands, where she leads the quality and food safety strategy across multiple manufacturing sites. Her work spans across the day-to-day execution and decision making of food safety programs on the plant floor, HACCP and QMS governance, environmental monitoring, as well as commissioning new manufacturing sites from the ground up.
With over a decade of experience across bakery, poultry, and multi-category food manufacturing in Canada and the U.S., Nehal has advanced from technician to executive leadership, including leading the integration of multiple acquired bakery food safety systems. She is passionate about digital and AI-driven quality technology, continuous improvement, and about coaching teams to build the next generation of food safety leaders.
Nehal majored in Biotechnology, studying at Sardar Patel University and Durham College. She is a Six Sigma Green Belt, a PCQI, a BRCGS Professional, HACCP and Certified Internal Auditor.
Director
2026
Upcoming Board Vacancy
We are pleased to share that an upcoming vacancy will be available on the OFPA Board of Directors. Members interested in applying are encouraged to submit their expression of interest.
How to Apply
Please send your resume and a short statement of interest to info@ofpa.on.ca
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