Sonia Strobel is the co-founder and CEO of Skipper Otto, a Community Supported Fishery based on Coast Salish territory in Vancouver, BC. She founded one of the world’s first CSFs in 2008, inspired by her lifelong commitment to just and equitable food systems and her deep respect for independent harvesters — especially those from coastal and Indigenous communities.

Under Sonia’s leadership, Skipper Otto has grown into a national, values-based seafood movement that connects thousands of Canadian home cooks directly with 45 fishing families across BC, Saskatchewan and Nunavut. The company is a certified B Corp and Living Wage Employer recognized for its commitment to local economic development and supply chain poverty alleviation.

Much of Sonia’s time is spent utilizing her experience, platform and privilege in support of Indigenous economic opportunities. Centered in disrupting systemic inequities in food and fisheries policy, she supports Indigenous entrepreneurs and organizations, and listens deeply for how she can be of service.

Sonia is a sought-after speaker and mentor across Canada and the U.S., the co-founder of Local Catch Canada, and sits on advisory committees for the Fisheries for Communities Coalition and the Local Catch Network. She is also the recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal and the YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Environmental Sustainability this year.

Sonia looks forward to connecting with Indigenous leaders and organizations at the Forward Summit who are driving transformative change in food systems, business, and governance. She welcomes discussions on how she can provide meaningful support, emphasizing her role in connecting relationships and resources with a readiness to act when invited.