Ariela Kong [she/her]

Rise on Boards | Cohort 9

Ariela Kong is a dedicated community development professional with extensive experience supporting individuals and communities facing systemic barriers. As Community Development and Program Manager at Feed the Need in Durham, she leads operations at some of the region’s largest food banks, implementing innovative, people-centered approaches that improve service while upholding principles of dignity, equity, and accessibility.  

With a blend of frontline experience and strategic leadership, Ariela bridges gaps between policy development and real-world application. She works with over 60 agencies across Durham Region to align programs and provide collaborative support in addressing food insecurity.
Ariela’s perspective is shaped by both her lived experiences and her degree in Mental Health Studies from the University of Toronto. From supporting Indigenous youth facing addiction challenges in British Columbia to strengthening the infrastructure of social-service programs across Durham Region, she consistently prioritizes the voices of those traditionally excluded from decision-making spaces and advocates for systems that are grounded in community needs.

Currently serving on Oshawa’s Community, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Ariela contributes her on-the-ground insight to conversations about equity and belonging at the municipal level.