Our Team

Having lived, worked, and eaten in India, Oman, Minnesota, St. Maarten, Japan, Cameroon, and Canada, Delna co-founded COOK-UP with a belief in the power of food and entrepreneurship to transform our communities. With an MA in Communications and Social Justice from the University of Windsor and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, Delna is most at home connecting areas that align people, purpose and profit. At COOK-UP, Delna blends her food-industry experience, her business acumen, and her love for community to advance COOK-UP's goal of growing an ecosystem that celebrates global foodways, cultivates equity in business ownership, and encourages entrepreneurs to contribute to building community by realizing their own potential.

Delna Buhariwalla

The daughter of an immigrant mother, Trishauna learnt early on that business ownership and economic independence, particularly for immigrant women of color, can be life changing. Born and raised in May Pen, Jamaica, she is passionate about fresh and locally grown food and, at any given moment, is ready to climb a tree in pursuit of a fresh mango. Trishauna finds her wealth in the relationships and connections she has built in the Windsor community. Having completed her Bachelors in Social Work and Women’s Studies from the University of Windsor, Trishauna worked with newcomer women for five years in various roles - program development, problem solving unique barriers faced by immigrant and refugee women, language skill building, and event planning. She brings her conviction for female entrepreneurship and community networking to the role of Head of Operations of COOK-UP.

Trishauna Linton

Angela Rueda (program coordinator) in a downtown lane with and her dog smiling with graffiti and street behind her.

Angela Rueda came on board as COOK-UP's Administrative Assistant early 2023 and has now been promoted to Program Coordinator. To say that it already feels like she has become a fixture at COOK-UP is an understatement.

Since the beginning, she has been using her skills to perform a variety of tasks. She handles administrative functions, and she is often found collaborating with entrepreneurs in their activities and events.

She is resourceful, creative and passionate about food, but specially about the ways in which food brings people together.

Angela is a mother of two daughters and one fur baby: Bailey.

Among her passions are baking, playing tennis and spending quality time with her family.

Angela Rueda