I have recently stepped into the role of Executive Director at Take Root Cafe, coming from several years working as a Program Manager in food related organizations and decades of volunteer work building community based food systems.  For the past two years, at The Hort, I managed a team of horticultural instructors, building gardens and growing food with incarcerated individuals.  Prior to that I managed an employee food program at a large tech firm, providing lunch, coffee and snacks to hundreds of employees across nine offices.   

 

My passion for working in community food reaches back to my work with the Intervale Community Farm, one of Vermont’s oldest and largest CSA’s, where I was a board member and working member for decades. My volunteer work ranges from developing urban agriculture policy to working in the kitchen at a food pantry.  My education includes an MBA in sustainable business practice, and a MS in Statistics.

 

I am excited to bring my experience to Take Root Cafe supporting our wonderful community in our mission of making healthy local food accessible to all, and working to support our local farmers.  When not working, I read pretty much everything I can get my hands on, try my hand at writing, and have been enjoying getting out hiking in Missouri’s wonderful state parks.  Having just relocated to Kirksville, I plan to spend time exploring, and look forward to getting to know the area.