Lauren Rathmell

Co-founder, Les Fermes Lufa

Lauren Rathmell, a biochemistry graduate of McGill University, co-founded Lufa Farms with the vision of building a better food system by growing food where people live and growing it more sustainably. It started with the world’s first commercial rooftop greenhouse in 2011, and it has since grown to encompass more than 500,000 sq ft of growing space and hundreds of local producers who supply an online farmers’ market, distributing directly to customers throughout Quebec. Since its inception, Lauren has been responsible for greenhouse operations, R&D, and the development of sustainable farming practices, as well as directing communications efforts and guiding strategic vision, team management and mentorship, and recruiting plans as she helped Lufa Farms scale substantially into the Montreal provider it is today. She’s also become a mother of three littles along the way and stays active running competitively and cross-country skiing. Today, Lauren remains an active advisor and board member with the company.