Thirty years work and experience in the food and agricultural industry, including the development of sustainable local and regional food businesses.

Managing Consultant with Pepper Foster Consulting (PFC) in Minneapolis. PFC is a strategy & execution consulting firm that specializes in helping clients turn their ideas and concepts into transformative realities.

Former principal of WellSpring Ltd, a company that promoted the stewardship of natural resources by providing services to communities, government, not-for-profits and businesses, with an emphasis on the development of local and regional food systems.

MBA, DePaul University; BA Economics and International Relations, University of California-Davis; Assistant Vice-President, Cargill, Inc.

Projects have included Initiatives Manager of the Wallace Center’s Pasture Project, focused on expanding grass-fed beef supply chain and sustainable land management in the Upper Midwest; Business Advisor to Serosun Farms, an “agri-hood” in NW Illinois that integrates sustainable farming into eco-friendly housing community; creating feasibility studies and business-marketing plans to successfully implement food hubs and values-based supply chains; leading Chicago’s Englewood community to develop an urban agriculture plan; member of consulting team that developed the Washington Park Urban Agriculture plan, leading to the development of the Perry Street Urban Farm.

Presently on the boards of Kidz Express, Seven Generations Ahead, and Seward Community Cooperative.