MEMBER-LED & STUDENT-DRIVEN

NAFSN is guided by a Leadership Circle of food systems professionals from throughout the North America.

The legwork of NAFSN is accomplished by a team of student staff members from Cornell Univ & interns from other universities. 

In this way, NAFSN blends experiences, expertise, and energies to forge an inclusive, multi-generational, cross-sectional network of food systems professionals.

Durjoy Bhadra

Feature Writer

Work-Study, Cornell University 

Audrey Fu

Social Media, Outcomes Manager

Work-Study, Cornell University 

Aya Otorova

Webinar & Podcast Technician

Work-Study, Cornell University 

Aima Raza

Workforce Researcher Manager

Work-Study, Cornell University 

Alicia Tourtelot

Outreach & Data Manager

Work-Study, Cornell University 

Jeffrey Xue

FYFFS Producer & Co-Host

Work-Study, Cornell University 

Nicole Yan

Engagement & Data Analyst

Work-Study, Cornell University 

Oscar Zheng

Technical Product Manager

Work-Study, Cornell University 

Tera Ashley

CAPACITY-BUILDING CIRCLE

Tera is a farmer with ten years of experience in regenerative, organic commercial farming in TN; a founder and board chair of Sweet Radish; and a board member of the Nashville Food Co-op working to establish a sliding-scale mobile market. In her current role as Director of Food Access at The Nashville Food Project, she directs the Community Meals Partnership Program, Distribution Program, and Produce Rx initiative. Tera serves on NAFSN's Capacity Building Circle. READ MORE.

Kathryn Barr

CARAT CIRCLE 

Kathryn (Katie) currently works for The Common Market and is a champion for Farm Stops, a new "consignment" model  that support small and mid-scale producers with direct-to-consumer sales venues. She is the author of "How to Start a Farm Stop: A Pattern Language for Local Food Systems."  Katie served a subject matter contributor to the development of CARAT and currently sits on the CARAT Circle. READ MORE.

Tierra Bartolotti

COM*FED CIRCLE, CHAIR

Tierra brings 10 years of experience in food systems & nonprofit work, primarily in Hawai'i and the Pacific region, and most recently with Latin American food producers & organizations. Now FL-based, she is an independent food systems & design consultant. She also serves on the Advisory Board for F3 Local to strengthen the regional brand for Central Valley-grown food in CA and supports initiatives for Southern SARE. Tierra chairs the COM*FED Circle and specifically guides NAFSN's Community Food Systems Consultants Directory. READ MORE.

Dr. Teresa Bertossi

COM*FED CIRCLE

Dr. Bertossi is a Sentinel Landscapes Support Advisor with LegacyWorks Group, supporting regional and landscape-scale approaches to agriculture, conservation, and community resilience. She previously served as a USDA AMS Impact Fellow advancing resilient food supply chains and has worked closely with regional development organizations on food systems initiatives spanning production, access, procurement, and markets. She also teaches climate justice and sustainability at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. READ MORE.

Wendy Bongjoh

PRODUCTIONS CIRCLE

Wendy brings professional and volunteer experience working in food security at the international level and locally in Boston, MA, including Project Bread's Council of Experts. As a skilled grants manager and researcher, she has co-authored policy recommendations on food security in Cameroon. Wendy's lived experience as a caregiver to others, including the elderly and those with physical disabilities and other chronic conditions, drives her passion for improving nutrition access for all. She serves on the Productions Circle as NAFSN News Co-Editor.  READ MORE.

Mandy Coriston

ACRE CIRCLE, CHAIR

Mandy is a NJ native writer, editor, consultant, and advocate who supports food equity and sovereignty, environmental stewardship, agricultural education, and veterans' causes. She chairs her township’s Environmental Commission and is a Rutgers Certified Master Gardener. She is also an active member and advocate for the New Jersey Food Democracy Collaborative, and a founding board member of the New Jersey Home Bakers Association.  She Chairs the ACRE Circle. READ MORE.

Natalie Cruz

CO-DIRECTOR

Natalie is an Afro-Latina culinary professional, decolonized food systems expert, and food writer. Natalie is currently writing a cookbook on the African Diaspora in Latin America and  the Food for Thought column on Substack. She currently teaches at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School. Her food systems field work includes Community and Volunteer Program management at the Riverdale Neighborhood House and founding the Coolinary Kitchen in the Bronx, NY. Natalie serves as NAFSN's Co-Director. READ MORE.

Maria Soledad Di Filippo

ACRE CIRCLE

Driven by a passion for food and nutrition, Soledad transitioned from the personal care industry in South America to community food systems work in the US. She brings corporate R&D experience and a strong commitment to equitable food systems and environmental awareness. Based in Miami, she supports collaboration and expanding access to food systems conversations within Spanish speaking communities. READ MORE.

Dr. Gilbert Gillespie

CAPACITY-BUILDING CIRCLE,  CO-CHAIR

Gil is a sociologist retired from Cornell University, where he worked to support more civic forms of local food system social "infrastructure." In "retirement," he now lives in rural Iowa with his wife on her family's farmstead where they operate a small-scale farm producing food for local consumption. He is also an active member of the Iowa Food Systems Coalition. Gil serves as a co-chair of NAFSN's Capacity Building Circle.

Erica Hall

CAPACITY-BUILDING CIRCLE,  CO-CHAIR

As the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Florida Food Policy Council, and a long time food equity champion and environmental activist, Erica works to address gaps and affect policy within the food system through for the benefit of Floridians and the environment. She sits on several national boards, including INFAS, and is an avid connector of researchers and practitioners. Erica currently serves as a co-chair of NAFSN's Capacity-Building Circle. READ MORE

Kim Hines

CO-DIRECTOR

As the former executive director of Augusta Locally Grown in GA, Kim currently provides full time support to NAFSN's educational programs, member services, partnership development and leadership support. She is in constant networking mode, keen on breaking siloes by connecting with emerging professionals, front-line workers, and next-gen leaders. She also speaks as an expert on trends in community food systems employment. Kim serves as NAFSN's Co-Director out of Victoria, PEI. READ MORE

Eileen Horn

CAPACITY-BUILDING CIRCLE

Eileen is a food systems consultant, supporting food policy councils and their collaborators. She served for seven years as the Sustainability Director for the City of Lawrence and Douglas County, Kansas, where she founded the Douglas County Food Policy Council. She also served two terms as a KS State Representative, serving on the Agriculture and Health committees. She currently works from home in Taos, NM. READ MORE.

Sagdrina Jalal

COM*FED CIRCLE

As principal of Sage D Consulting in Atlanta, GA, Sagdrina's extensive food systems work includes serving as founding Executive Director for the Georgia Farmers Market Association,  a board member for the national Farmers Market Coalition, and an advisor for Tuskegee University’s Organic Farming Project. She collaborated with Black growers and farmers market leaders to curate the Anti-Racist Farmers Market Toolkit. Serving on the COM*FED Circle, Sagdrina helps develop and pilot NAFSN's "Marketing Farmers Markets" training with Georgia Grown. READ MORE.

Vivian Le

PRODUCTIONS CIRCLE, CHAIR

Vivian is a food systems professional who thinks we can eat our way out of our problems! Vivian brings her experience in community-based food systems communications to work as chair of NAFSN's Productions Circle overseeing, among other things, our Finding Your Future in Food Systems webinars and podcasts. She produced an European season of the series in 2023. Take a listen! Vivian currently works for the University of California, Berkeley. READ MORE.

Hope Light

PRODUCTIONS CIRCLE

Hope has worked on farms and as a chef in rural and urban communities. She served on the Portland (Maine) Food Council as Board Vice Chairperson for three years. With a BA in food systems, policy and social change, and an MA in social justice and community organizing, her experience includes curricula and workforce development. Hope is currently the Communications and Development Director for the Maine Tree Foundation. READ MORE.

Ariana Lipsman

PRODUCTIONS CIRCLE

Ari is a food studies scholar, food writer, and former entertainment industry professional with an interest in the relationship between food and the environment. She uses the skills she gained while working in film and while getting her master's in Food Studies at NYU to tell stories that get people to care about where their food comes from and demand a more sustainable, equitable food system.  She serves on the ACRE Circle from NY. READ MORE. 

Brooklyn Maloley

PRODUCTIONS CIRCLE

She serves on the PRODUCTIONS Circle. READ MORE.

Joël McClurg

CARAT CIRCLE

Joël McClurg serves as the Executive Director of Systems for the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, a statewide initiative ensuring all Coloradans have equitable access to nutritious food. Committed to advancing equity, fostering partnerships, and empowering communities, Joël leads efforts to build localized, resilient food systems that address systemic barriers and reflect the unique needs of Colorado's diverse communities. Joël serves on the CARAT Circle. READ MORE.

Heidi Mouillesseaux-Kunzman 

CAPACITY-BUILDING, CO-CHAIR

Heidi is Senior Extension Associate with the Community and Regional Development Institute (CaRDI) in the Department of Development Sociology at Cornell University. Current projects include the CALS NYS Internship, an initiative to connect employers and communities with exceptional and motivated College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students. She's a Co-Chair for the NAFSN Capacity-Building Circle. READ MORE.

Daniela Ochoa Gonzalez

PRODUCTIONS CIRCLE

Daniela specializes in Spanish, English and French content and training to reach zero waste, improve food systems and expand regenerative agriculture practices, and currently works as an associate for the University of Maryland Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. As a MD resident and Mexico native, Dani serves on NAFSN's Productions Circle to expand networking and connectivity. READ MORE.

Jaclyn Pace 

CAPACITY-BUILDING CIRCLE

As the Director of the Utah Farmers Market Network, Jaclyn brings extensive experience in community-based food systems, working directly with farmers, local food producers, and community organizations throughout the state of UT. In all these initiatives, she works closely with underserved communities, particularly those in rural and food-insecure areas, to create more equitable access to healthy food. She serves on the Capacity-Building Circle. READ MORE.

Martha Page

CAPACITY-BUILDING CIRCLE

As principal consultant for Beartown Advisors, LLC, in Western MA, and former executive director of Hartford Food System in CT, Martha brings extensive experience in community-based nonprofit leadership and value chain development. She currently sits on the Board of Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, and serves as a member of NAFSN's Capacity-Buiding Circle. READ MORE.

Jodie Popma

CARAT CIRCLE

Jodie's leadership with Slow Food Boulder County and other grass-roots organizations in Colorado brings expertise in fostering collaboration among farmers, producers, and food system advocates to promote good, clean, and fair principles. With a Master’s in Sustainable Food Systems, Jodie’s work includes stakeholder engagement, event coordination, and outreach to drive meaningful change at the intersection of food, policy, and sustainability. READ MORE.

Sara Prout

ACRE CIRCLE

Sara is a lifetime non-profit development professional and accomplished relationship manager, finding joy in increasing efficacy and matching resources with remarkable regional programs — especially those addressing local and global environmental and political concerns related to sustainable agriculture and food systems, community food security and farmland conservation.  She serves on NAFSN's ACRE Circle. READ MORE.

Dr. Brian Raison

CAPACITY-BUILDING CIRCLE

Brian is an Ohio State University faculty member teaching on-campus and working statewide in the Extension community development program area as a leadership specialist. His current research and teaching focus is leadership development, and he recently wrote the "The Encouraging Mentor." He has also worked extensively in strategic planning, often within the local food systems arena. He assists NAFSN with Capacity Building Circle. READ MORE.

Fawn Scheer

CAPACITY-BUILDING CIRCLE

Fawn is an independent consultant based in the northern edge of California, with 20 years of experience spanning local food systems, rural community development, Tribal food and resource sovereignty, climate change, business management and organizational development. Fawn has a portfolio of approaches for guiding novel initiatives through all phases: from exploring the feasibility of a business idea to startup operations and strategic transitions.  READ MORE. 

Nikki Seibert Kelley

CARAT CIRCLE, CHAIR

Nikki, of Wit Meets Grit, works as a Southeast-based consultant to increase the capacity of organizations and businesses through innovative, equitable, and inclusive economic development. One of her recent projects is Growing Local SC, which she led with support from the USDA Regional Food Systems Partnerships program. Nikki served a subject matter contributor to the development of CARAT and currently chairs the CARAT Circle. READ MORE.

Jodee Smith

CARAT CIRCLE

Jodee Smith has worked in the public sector supporting grassroots and statewide efforts to revive and strengthen innovative local and regional food systems in Indiana for more than 10 years. Working in asset based community development, Jodee leverages innovative practices, funding, and network connectivity to catalyze and support equitable, healthy, sustainable and resilient food systems throughout IN. She currently sits on the CARAT Circle. READ MORE.

Martina Stanley

CAPACITY-BUILDING CIRCLE, CHAIR

READ MORE.

Wendy Stuart

COM*FED CIRCLE

Wendy is an economist, a chef, and a food systems specialist. She founded Food Works Group in 2010 to support food systems impact and success with a data-driven, consultative approach. Her firm's focus is on projects that address systems-level issues, such as planning aggregation and processing operations, developing food hub networks, enhancing regional supply chains, and building infrastructure for emerging food ecosystems. . READ MORE.

Jennifer Taylor

CARAT CIRCLE

Dr. Taylor is the daughter of Vernal and Ethel Taylor.  She is Co-Director of the FAMU Lola Hampton-Frank Pinder Center for Agroecology where she promotes small farm wellbeing, resilience, and thriveability through participatory agroecology-organic farming systems practices and their benefits.  Winner of the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award in 2019, Taylor’s work amplifies farmers’ voices and knowledge.  Jennifer is a USDA certified organic small farmer in rural Georgia.. READ MORE.

Debra Tropp

CARAT CIRCLE

Debbie is a retired deputy director and agricultural marketing specialist from USDA/AMS's Local and Regional Food Research and Development division who currently works as an independent consultant, providing Federal grant support, consultation and technical assistance to communities, government agencies and NGOs. She led the three-year development, including peer-revew and publishing, of the CARAT tool with food/ag subject matter experts from throughout the US. READ MORE.

Sydney Turpin

CAPACITY-BUILDING CIRCLE

As a graduate student at the in Tuscaloosa, Sydney studies power imbalances in Alabama's agri-food system. Her current research project utilizes GIS to create the first comprehensive map of Alabama’s food system actors. Sydney is also the president of Farmhand, a club serving small-scale farmers in Alabama and educating the student body about agri-food systems through experiential learning.  READ MORE.

Dr. Kareem Usher

COM*FED CIRCLE

Kareem is an associate professor of City and Regional Planning at The Ohio State University's Knowlton School of Architecture. As a public scholar, Kareem strives to create a peaceful, joyful and loving world through community-engaged planning research - the co-production of knowledge between community members and faculty, with the site of inquiry being food systems at the neighborhood scale. He chairs NAFSN's COM*FED Circle. READ MORE.