THE TEAM

THE TEAM

Richard Loat – Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Richard’s passions for social media and hockey were the two elements he built Five Hole for Food upon. With the giving experience such an alienating one, Five Hole for Food is the opportunity for people to come together, give back together, and make a difference together. A proud member of the Simon Fraser University family, Richard is an avid Canucks fan, technology enthusiast, and athlete. Involved in a range of philanthropic endeavours he is passionate, outside of the aforementioned, about academia, social media research, and youth related initiatives. He is founder and now adult mentor of YAHU, a Shelterbox Response Team member, and super hero by night.

When not cheering for the Canucks he can usually be found absorbed in music or hunting down obscure movies. His favourite movies include Snatch, Dead Snow, The Big Lebowski, Enemy of the State and Conquest of Paradise 1842, although not necessarily in that order.

Follow him on Twitter @mozy19


Dixon Tam – Director of Communications/Vice President of Operations

Dixon Tam manages communications and operations for Five Hole for Food. He has been with FHFF since 2010 and assisted with its inaugural campaign. Dixon is a veteran journalist who has worked for several Greater Vancouver newspapers and is currently a member of Simon Fraser University’s public affairs and media relations team.

On top of being an ardent Team USA supporter and Vancouver Canucks fan, Dixon can be found dedicating his Sunday’s to the Miami Dolphins and is a rare breed of baseball fan that will actually watch all 162 Seattle Mariners games just as a warm up to the playoffs.

As a gadget guy you’d be hard pressed to find him without some Apple product and we’ve lost him to the Apple Store on many an occasion (one reason FHFF’s route purposefully avoids any and all Apple Stores across the country). As a big fan of 80′s music there’s nothing more he wants than to be able to rock hair the way Europe did.

Follow him on Twitter @DixonTam


Gina Vesnaver – Media Relations Manager

Gina brings energy, creativity and a high degree of organization to FHFF. With a wealth of experience in the PR world she’s been involved in everything from Communities Against Preventable Injuries to work with the Olympics. She’s worked with various TV outlets and the Campell River native is a proud graduate of BCIT’s Broadcast Journalism Program as well as a member of the Canadian Public Relations Society.

When not working (it’s true, this does happen from time to time), Gina enjoys spending time with her pug Leo walking along the beaches of Kitsilano. Gina is also an avid world traveler with a passion for languages and immersing herself in new cultures.

Follow her on Twitter @ginavesnaver


Crystal Kwon – Public Relations Manager

Crystal is passionate about bringing people and ideas together and that is what compelled her to get involved in Five Hole for Food. After the exchange of a few DM’s, she was hooked, dove in headfirst and never looked back. With a serious penchant for social media, public relations and multi-tasking, she work as a Public Relations Manager during the day, Managing Editor of Vancity Buzz during the night and will clear her schedule for some food or fashion therapy at any time of the day.

Crystal also secretly wants to join the FHFF road team with her road trip partner Denise as the two follow behind in a hot pink vehicle. Were this to happen they would be fueled by Denise’s phenomenal baking. Brownies and cookies for over 8,000 km!

Follow her on Twitter @cwistal