Debra Hellbach Email & Phone Number

Victoria, Bc, Ca

Managing the Seafood Business Accelerator under contract to Coastal Nations Fisheries and the T. Buck Suzuki Foundation.

British Columbia, Canada

The VIU Centre for Seafood Innovation (CSI) was an innovation hub pilot that helped BC seafood companies extract more value from their harvests. CSI worked with industry, First Nations communities, students and faculty to stimulate new ideas and undertake applied research, public education, and workforce attraction projects. We also offered a commercial kitchen, event, and training space at the Deep Bay Marine Field Station. The VIU Centre for Seafood Innovation initiative serves as a… Show more The VIU Centre for Seafood Innovation (CSI) was an innovation hub pilot that helped BC seafood companies extract more value from their harvests. CSI worked with industry, First Nations communities, students and faculty to stimulate new ideas and undertake applied research, public education, and workforce attraction projects. We also offered a commercial kitchen, event, and training space at the Deep Bay Marine Field Station. The VIU Centre for Seafood Innovation initiative serves as a springboard for future seafood innovation support in British Columbia. Show less

Victoria, British Columbia

PRESERVESafe™ Program – Debra provided online and in-kitchen Train the Trainer training and resources to teach safe, in home food preservation. Partnerships included Diabetes Canada, First Nations Health Authority, BC Ministry of Health, LifeCycles.

Victoria, Bc, Canada

Debra is a catalyst of domestic food production.Her strengths lie in:- Pathfinding and problem solving for start up and small food processing businesses. - Developing relevant and engaging programs. Examples:2020-21The Food Business Refresh Program. Helped 75 food processors pivot to address Covid-19 challenges or capture opportunities. 2011-2021PRESERVESafe - Deliver Train the Trainer food preservation workshops with a primary goal of developing safe… Show more Debra is a catalyst of domestic food production.Her strengths lie in:- Pathfinding and problem solving for start up and small food processing businesses. - Developing relevant and engaging programs. Examples:2020-21The Food Business Refresh Program. Helped 75 food processors pivot to address Covid-19 challenges or capture opportunities. 2011-2021PRESERVESafe - Deliver Train the Trainer food preservation workshops with a primary goal of developing safe food preservation capacity in First Nation and remote communities.2017-19 - Communciations research to determine framing of food processing industry2017 MARKETMore™ Bootcamp – Program to improve food entrepreneurs' odds of getting on the shelf2014-17 Marketing Series – Developed and delivered 22 events under contract to the Ministry of Agriculture. Over 800 people participated at events all over BC providing market intelligence, buyer introductions and networking opportunities (scope: Canada, USA, S. Korea, India, Philippines, Netherlands, Japan and China). 2012 - 15 Path to Commercialization (PtC). Nominated for the IAF Award of Excellence for Innovation, the PtC program increased the success rate of entrepreneurs. Forty four companies from all over BC participated in the program that included workshops and one on one coaching. As of 2018, 56% remained in business, 20% had substantially expanded their markets and several had won industry awards. Contrast these stats to the 75% failure rate of new companies reported by Nielsen.2014 Stimulating Healthy Eating/Bring Nutrition Home – A research project that proved that social media can increase the awareness and sale of healthy foods. 2013-14 Buy BC Food – A public awareness campaign. Sales increased by $5 million in the four month program.2011 BCFPA Food Processors Reference Manual (refresh) Show less

British Columbia, Canada

Provide business development support to BCFB.

Bc, Canada

September 2020 - March 2021Manager, Food Business Refresh program. Under contract to Farm Food Drink Inc. helped develop and managed the Food Business Refresh program to facilitate recovery of 75 small B.C. food and seafood businesses. Supported businesses with product development, scale up, production, distribution, marketing, promotion, packaging, labelling, regulations, grant writing and financial management.October 2020 - January 2021Contracted by Royal Roads University… Show more September 2020 - March 2021Manager, Food Business Refresh program. Under contract to Farm Food Drink Inc. helped develop and managed the Food Business Refresh program to facilitate recovery of 75 small B.C. food and seafood businesses. Supported businesses with product development, scale up, production, distribution, marketing, promotion, packaging, labelling, regulations, grant writing and financial management.October 2020 - January 2021Contracted by Royal Roads University School of Business to contribute to a food industry focus for the 2021 MBA Capstone project. Developed criteria, researched and sourced two food industry clients. Also participated in food industry expert panel and human library to support students in gaining an understanding of the food processing industry. August 2019 - March 2020Debra was subcontracted to Farm|Food|Drink as Lead Consultant on business plan development for BC Food Innovation Centre Initiatives: -Vancouver Island University Seafood Innovation Centre-Food Security and Innovation Hub for the Capital Regional District Show less

Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

The Food Business Refresh (Refresh) program was a recent initiative of the Small Scale Food Processor Association funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Fisheries. Refresh was designed to help small-scale food processors succeed despite business challenges created, or amplified, by the pandemic. The four-month program offered customized training and coaching plus funded implementation to help participants assess, plan and implement a… Show more The Food Business Refresh (Refresh) program was a recent initiative of the Small Scale Food Processor Association funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Fisheries. Refresh was designed to help small-scale food processors succeed despite business challenges created, or amplified, by the pandemic. The four-month program offered customized training and coaching plus funded implementation to help participants assess, plan and implement a significant business pivot referred to as their “Refresh Plan”. Debra contributed to the conceptualization of Refresh and managed the program that saw sixty-six food processors graduating with a solid pivot plan and seed funding for implementation. In all, over 100 businesses received assistance through Refresh. From a participant:"The Refresh program has been absolutely amazing! They have provided so much education, support and networking opportunities that the value just keeps growing! 2020 was a rough year and there were times when I considered closing my business. I'm SO glad I didn't and this program has allowed me to get back on track in a focused and tangible way to not only improve our operational efficiencies (reducing our cost of goods) and positioning us to capitalize even further as our production levels increase..." Heather Bottoms, She Devil Delights Show less

British Columbia, Canada

Temporary Assignment.Assisting with delivery of the Emergency Processing Fund and the Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund.

Victoria, British Columbia

Communication and Culture

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Food Processing Industry program development and implementation: Marketing and business development.

Industry Specialist, Food manufacturing, retail, distribution and food service industries.Food Industry Development. Provide leadership, expertise and support through business consulting, process optimization, market development and access to capital.

Central Saanich, British Columbia, Canada

Small mixed farm. Provided insights with regard to the challenges faced by small plot farmers including financing, Agriculture Land Reserve rules and regulations, and limited access to slaughter facilities.

British Columbia, Canada

Responsible for the start up of the BC Food Processors Association.As the first BCFPA Executive Director, assembled a representative board, sourced funding and liaised with national food industry associations.

Fort St John, British Columbia, Canada

Co-Founder/Owner of plumbing business located in northern British Columbia (13 employees)Responsible for customer service, finances, human resources and marketing. Gained invaluable business experience, and understanding of the challenges of operating a business, and living, in a remote region.

Northern, British Columbia

Worked with senior executives of agriculture, forestry, mining and oil and gas related companies to identify and fund projects. Responsible for regional science/technology awareness, investment and partnership initiatives.

Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Responsible for researching new innovations, investment and market opportunities, regulatory policy and productivity enhancement technologies to help BC agrifoods companies access domestic and international markets. Strategically developed the Opportunities for Ethnic Food Manufacturing program to introduce BC food processors to Chinese, Japanese and Indian communities in Metro Vancouver and demonstrate export and import replacement opportunities. Led events to communicate equipment and… Show more Responsible for researching new innovations, investment and market opportunities, regulatory policy and productivity enhancement technologies to help BC agrifoods companies access domestic and international markets. Strategically developed the Opportunities for Ethnic Food Manufacturing program to introduce BC food processors to Chinese, Japanese and Indian communities in Metro Vancouver and demonstrate export and import replacement opportunities. Led events to communicate equipment and production requirements to manufacture identified ethnic products. The program culminated in international equipment and technology procurement missions to Korea, Japan, and USA. Show less

Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Responsible for federal food and drug regulatory enforcement at domestic manufacturing facilities and import establishments. Worked closely with local government (health inspectors) to compel compliance. Gained valuable insights regarding the regulatory challenges faced by companies and entrepreneurs.

Master In Arts, Professional Communication

MITACS Scholar Communication for Social Change, School of Communication and Culture

Bsc, Agriculture/Commerce - Food Science,

Activities and Societies: Co-op education Program. Student Director, BC Food Technologists