Board Candidates

Candidates for 2020 Board of Directors Elections

December 22, 2019

At our January 16, 2020 Annual Meeting, we will be holding elections for open seats on our board of directors. Note that this is a regular full council meeting. As such everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend; the vote itself will only take up a small time slot.

According to our bylaws, members who are present will participate in the vote. Anyone who wishes to join as a member prior to the vote may do so including on January 16; you may become a member on our web site right now or at the January 16 meeting, in which case, please come early and bring the $25 of membership dues – we accept check, exact change cash, and card.

Below are the profiles for candidates who have nominated themselves for election to the board, in alphabetical order, by last name. Please read through them all to give them equal consideration. There are 7 open slots and 7 candidates running.

The 2020 Milwaukee Food Council Board of Directors candidates thus far are: Karin Conway, Julie Dahms, Kim Khaira, Meg Kilkenny, Rita Saavedra, Kaya Schwarz, and Sophia Torrijos.

Please scroll all the way down to view all of the candidates’ profiles.

Karin Conway | Organic Growth Coach

I have been or am currently affiliated with these organizations:
• Outpost Coop owner/ employee in 2017
• Tippecanoe Presbyterian church – garden manager 2015
• Victory Garden Initiative – Organic Farming Volunteer and Food Leader Mentor since 2013. I am a seasoned volunteer in the annual Blitz where we install about 500 raised bed gardens yearly.
• School Garden Coordinator for Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful 2013-2019. We facilitated the implementation of raised bed gardens at local schools. I managed a demonstration garden at KGMB, plus trained the educators on how to build and manage their own gardens on-site at the schools. Permaculture plant guild maps streamlined systems for teachers. Volunteer since 2006.
• Events Committee and volunteer for Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee since 2012. Focused on fundraising through sponsor donations and raffles.
• Wisconsin Local Food Summit event registration volunteer 2014-2017.
• Steering Committee for the CIUAN (Institute for Urban Agriculture & Nutrition)
• Past Garden Coordinator/Volunteer for New Beginnings Are Possible. Taught at risk children the joys of gardening and facilitated growing a garden on-site, 2005-2007
• Vice President of Milwaukee Holistic Chamber of Commerce 2015 to 2017.
• Board member/Event Organizer for Milwaukee Holistic Health Expo 2011-2016. As organizer, I coordinated all details with the venue, billing, customer service, database management, volunteers, as well as event promotion and follow-up after the event. Raised money for local non-profits.
• Race Director for Badgerland Striders Lakefront Discovery Run 2007-2010. Responsible for coordinating budget, permits, course, venues, sponsors, volunteers, pre-planning, registration, race day management, follow-up, planning future improvements as a consultant to new Race Director.
• Race Director for Komen Milwaukee Race for the Cure 2003-2004. Served as liaison between the Komen fundraising committee and the Badgerland Striders running club to ensure cooperation and positive outcomes for all event stakeholders.
• Grupo Amistad (Mexico City) high school exchange student (cultural immersion, Spanish skills)

Some of my schooling and professional certifications include;
Dr Sears Wellness Institute– Health Coach Certification – 4/2017
Victory Garden Initiative – Permaculture Design Certification – 12/2013
Victory Garden Initiative – Food Leader Certification – 12/2013
Cardinal Stritch University- BS Business Management – 12/2003
Sandler Sales Training with D.I.S.C. – 2010-2012
Coach Training Alliance, Certified Coach – 2010-2011
Waukesha County Technical College – Associate Marketing – 12/2000

I have been an active attendee and member of the Milwaukee Food Council and hospitality committee since 2014. I have been serving on the BOD for the past 2 years. During my time on the BOD I have coordinated the Youth SOUP fundraising events as well as the Garden Seed Fundraisers.

I manage two raised bed community garden plots in the Green Corridor and have my own aeroponics garden indoors year-round. I have been an organic gardener since birth. I learned to respect nature and grow my own organic food thanks to my mother Jeanette. I have attended MFC while representing VGI as a food leader, Tippe church as the rooftop garden coordinator, as well as a health coach and concerned citizen.

While I do not have an abundance of personal funds to share, I have the ability and desire to be an active fundraiser for MFC. I have done many fundraising efforts in the past on behalf of non-profit organizations, including MFC. I bring with me the creativity to discover new ways to bring in more funds to make a difference in the local food movement.

As a health coach, I am passionate about helping people improve their health. I fully recognize the value of real whole food. I believe in my heart that every human being has the right to have access to good clean food. I was one of the lucky ones who had a mother that gardened. From the time I could crawl, I was helping grow and harvest food to feed our family. At every opportunity I share my love of gardening and whole food nutrition.

My previous business experience will help me build and promote MFC. As a marketing consultant I have the creative talents required to market and manage a profitable business. One of my super powers is bringing stakeholders to the table and helping them see how we all benefit from collaborative partnerships. For numerous years, I facilitated a business networking membership organization which helped business owners connect with new clients and build their business.

I have participated in and organized large events related to health. One of my favorite activities is acting as a food ambassador for local food products at farmers markets and grocers. I am happy to work on community engagement and fundraising activities.

I recognize the commitment level required and am happy to attend any necessary meetings. Since I work independently, I will not allow my work schedule to interfere with MFC meetings.

Julie Dahms | Herzfeld Foundation

I am a Milwaukee Food Council member and I am aware of the responsibilities and commitment that is required of Board Members, and I am happy to comply.

I do not have previous board experience, but am eager to get this experience with the MFC. I am familiar with boards and their operation because, as an employee of the Herzfeld Foundation, I attend four board meetings annually.

At the present time, I hold memberships to the Milwaukee Food Council, Wisconsin Bike Fed, and the Museum of Wisconsin Art. I am in the process of law license reinstatement, and once that is complete, I will become a member of local or state bar agencies.

I have attended a number of MFC meetings over the last several years, and I enjoy them very much! I feel surrounded by like-minded people. Some time ago, I provided research information to Bruce Wiggins and Barbara Richards concerning food waste and related issues. This was something I researched in the course of my employment at Herzfeld Foundation, and I was curious to find out whether the MFC does work in the area of food waste. I attended a committee meeting at that time. I am a member of the Outpost, and I have given a talk to the public in (around) January 2018 on the topic of Zero Waste.

I believe I am a good candidate for the MFC Board of Directors because I am vigilant in researching topics and finding ways to actively create change. I have a legal background (I practiced insurance defense law for 15 years) and am familiar with issues concerning laws and policies. I am aware of the organizations in Milwaukee that are involved in the world of food, as my research with the Herzfeld Foundation allowed me to meet with representatives of numerous organizations to learn more about them. I am excited to work with the MFC and its Board to create a future strategy and effect change, or at least education, in the areas that are important to MFC’s members.

With regard to skills I possess, I have some experience with grant writing, fundraising, community engagement, public relations / communications, administration, networking and nonprofits. I hope to share my skills with MFC.

Kim Khaira | Lynden Sculpture Garden

During my years after my Bachelor’s in Malaysia, I ran as committee member of the Penang Stop Human Trafficking Campaign in a non-hierarchical group that was majority volunteer-led. During this time, my employment was with the Penang Women’s Development Corporation, a state government agency, as Policy and Advocacy Officer. As freelance work, I worked a report writer (rapporteur) for various organizations including the state government, and non-profit organizations and community based organizations; in one particular report, I wrote about vital points for/in a regional advocacy conference on the detrimental use of pesticides and GMOs. I have also done editorial work – reviewing, proofreading and copyediting of books on social, cultural and economic issues in the region. I later worked as the Penang Stop Human Trafficking Campaign’s community worker for a grassroots refugee-led empowerment initiative, predominantly with Rohingya refugees, including coordinating a refugee board membership and refugee teachers for a community-led kindergarten. In my time in Milwaukee, I’ve worked as an Advocate, again with Rohingya/Southeast Asian refugees – being a Malaysian immigrant myself, I have found the work fulfilling, especially now working independently as a community worker and serving my community in creative ways; currently as artist-in-residence with the Lynden Sculpture Garden. In terms of my relationship to food and community, during my free time I would volunteer in Malaysia at a local farmer’s market, helping a local farmer sell their fresh goods, herbs and spice oils. Here in Milwaukee, I have my own garden established and I aim to continue planting local, edible and medicinal perennials. I identify as Indian-Indigenous and grew up in a culture that is constantly surrounded with food; Malaysia being a spice route during pre-colonial times, and growing up in a household where my mother was constantly tending to her garden. I grew up with coconut, mango, lemongrass, hibiscus and soursop trees, and today in my mother’s garden, I am inspired by passionfruit, jasmine, betel and banana trees. I believe that I am suited to be part of the Milwaukee Food Council because I’m willing to learn and aim -to the best of my ability- to including others; that while I am no means an expert in food, I understand the importance of connecting the dots as I have learnt in both my study in Political Science, and my practice and passion in community.

I’m best able to contribute in: community engagement, nonprofit experience, and/or program planning. And I’m interested in the Nominations, and/or Policy & Advocacy committee.

Meg Kilkenny | Extension Milwaukee County FoodWIse

It is with great enthusiasm that I submit this application to run for Milwaukee Food Council’s Board of Directors. I have been a member of MFC since 2015 and joined the Board in 2018, where I served on the Executive Committee as the Board’s Recording Secretary. It has been an eventful learning experience serving on the Board for the past two years, where I take pride in our food council’s continued efforts to bring together many food systems stakeholders to share, learn, and grow together. Beyond our networking efforts, the past two years have included our first ever youth event to engage young folks working on food projects throughout our City, and the continued momentum of our expertly-led Policy Committee.

I truly believe we have so many wonderful opportunities on the horizon, and I would be honored to continue to serve on the Board of Directors of this organization and be a part of our bright, collective future. I am fortunate to consider my time and dedication to the Board and MFC efforts as part of my day job with FoodWIse, a program of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension in Milwaukee County. Through my position as a Healthy Communities Coordinator, I work on policy, systems, and environment changes related to healthy eating and active living for individuals and families with limited incomes. A majority of my work is supporting farmers markets in accepting federal nutrition benefits such as SNAP/EBT, WIC, and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers – especially through the efforts of the Milwaukee Farmers Market Coalition. I am also involved in other projects as it relates to policy change and healthy food access for our community. My previous Milwaukee-based work experience includes Fondy Food Center, as well as Guest House of Milwaukee, a men’s homeless shelter with a community garden where I helped grow over 600 pounds of produce to be donated to food pantries and used in shelter. I have experience in urban agriculture, community food systems, public health, and nonprofit administration and management. I also have intimate knowledge of the inner workings of Milwaukee Food Council as a nonprofit organization. My personal interests make it so that I am often pondering environmental issues, discussing gardening, cooking recipes, advocating for public transportation systems, and even running a monthly cooking club in my neighborhood of Riverwest – a space to empower millennials with the tool of knowledge and caring act of cooking and breaking bread together.

In serving on the Board for another 2-year term, I am committed and able to attend all general member meetings and Board of Director meetings in 2020 and 2021, with the exception of the November 2020 general member meeting.

Rita Saavedra | Anthem

Joining the Milwaukee Food Council Board (MFC) would be a great opportunity for my personal and professional growth. In my perspective, I would bring value to the MFC board due to my educational background and my professional experience. I have a bachelor’s degree in Communications and an associate in Accounting. Furthermore, I am also bilingual (Spanish) and utilize this gift in my personal and professional environment.

Currently, I am participating on a local board Bembé Drum & Dance as the board’s treasurer. I was selected due to my accounting background and network connections in the community. In 2019, I had the opportunity to connect the Bembé’s Director with an organization that provided a sponsorship for a community event. Joining this board has provided me an opportunity to give back to intercity children with free educational, art, and music courses in the community.

This year I also joined an herb apprenticeships program that provides education on natural medicine and the value of nutrition. In my adolescent years nutrition was not emphasized in my household or in my Hispanic community. That is why I strongly believe it is important for families in our communities to receive resources and education on how to incorporate foods into a healthy lifestyle. My goal is to share the knowledge I learn from this program with family, friends, and people in the community.

During my five years at Molina Healthcare I had the opportunity to organize and attend community events that focused on eating healthy. I organized the Dr. Cleo cooking classes at United Community Center. A professional chief educated families how to cook and prep healthy meals for their families. I also had the opportunity to design nutrition material and organize food pantries in the community.

Currently, I am a Financial Representative at Northwestern Mutual. I meet with clients and business owners to develop financial plans based off the client’s goals and objectives. However, my passion for improving the community has taken me in a different direction. This month I accepted a new position at Anthem as a Community Relations Representative where I will engage in the community 90% of my work day.

If I am selected as a board member, I will be committed to the positions requirements. I will also contribute my skills and knowledge to the organization’s mission.

Kaya Schwarz | Teens Grow Greens

Sophia Torrijos | Friedens Community Ministries

Please consider my application to take a more active leadership role in collectively solving the problems of healthy food access and choice. Though I’ve only recently joined MFC as a general member, I’m already excited about the work happening in this collaborative. I believe MFC is an entity that creates an intentional space for rich conversation and problem-solving amongst the diverse individuals and organizations that touch each part of the “food life cycle”. I would like to actively participate in the determining direction of this important work.

I believe I make a strong addition to the board because of my background in community organizing, my professional perspective overseeing four community food centers/gleaning hubs, and my track record of hard work and initiative. My skill set includes asset-based thinking, strategic approach to problems, bringing people together around the table, and a passion for seeing all families in Milwaukee nourishing themselves with culturally-appropriate, healthy foods. I believe my enthusiasm and dedication will help move forward the goals and objectives of the MFC board.

I’ve been involved in food scarcity work for five years in different capacities at Friedens Food Pantries (as volunteer, Volunteer Coordinator, board fundraising committee, and now ED) and hope to make this a life-long involvement. Additionally, I am able to attend Milwaukee Food Council General Meetings and Board Meetings. Please find a more detailed resume attached to my application.

Specific Skills/Experience:
– Grant Writing/Fundraising
– Community Engagement
– Event and Program Planning
– Volunteer Engagement

Candidates for 2019 Board of Directors Elections

December 18, 2018

At our January 17, 2019 annual meeting, we will be holding elections for open seats on our board of directors. Note that this is a regular full council meeting. As such everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend; the vote itself will only take up a small time slot.

According to our bylaws, members who are present will participate in the vote. Anyone who wishes to join as a member prior to the vote may do so including on January 17; you may become a member on our web site right now or at the January 17 meeting, in which case, please come early and bring the $25 of membership dues – we accept check, exact change cash, and card.

Below are the profiles for candidates who have nominated themselves for election to the board, in alphabetical order, by last name. Please read through them all to give them equal consideration.

The 2019 Milwaukee Food Council Board of Directors candidates thus far are: Luke Davies, Melissa DeNomie, Angela Kingsawan, Danielle Nabak, Barbara Richards, and Erika Villafuerte.

Please scroll all the way down to view all of the candidates’ profiles.

Luke Davies

My name is Lucas Davies and I am currently a senior at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, where I am working towards obtaining a Bachelor of Science Public Health (BSPH). I am writing to the Milwaukee Food Council as I believe I would be a sound fit to fill a board position to assist in efforts towards building Milwaukee’s food culture into one that is equitable and fair.

I would like to learn more about what I can do to serve the City of
Milwaukee. My hope is that I can learn, teach, and apply other tools to be able to better aid in community programs and sustainability efforts. I have experience in carpentry, urban agriculture, traditional agriculture, and leadership.

With 4 years of active military experience in serving as a United States Marine, I have worked in several leadership positions. I believe that in joining the Milwaukee Food Council I could both gain in personal professional experience as well as using that to give back and better community connectedness and food security efforts. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Melissa DeNomie

I’d like to submit my nomination for a position on the board of the Milwaukee Food Council. Food access, the food system, and food justice are of interest to me, both as a program manager at Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), and as a graduate student at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I am particularly interested in innovative approaches to improving access to healthy food throughout Milwaukee. In addition to my professional and academic interest, improved food access is of great personal interest to me as well.

As a community engaged researcher at MCW, I have worked with local organizations on projects focused on food access. I currently work with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin on Farm Link, a regional food hub that aggregates locally grown produce for distribution; I’ve worked with Fondy Food Center to establish a city-wide farmers market coalition aimed at improving inclusivity at Milwaukee area farmers markets (a key goal was to increase the number of local markets that accept SNAP benefits). My dissertation research will look at community-academic projects aimed at addressing food access, food justice, and food systems. My work at MCW and UWM has allowed me to attend various conferences (e.g., Community Food Systems Conference, Hunger & Health Summit, Assn for the Study of Food & Society) to learn more about national efforts to address challenges related to food. I believe my academic/professional experience, and insights gleaned through conversations with practitioners and scholars working on topics related to food, will be an asset to the Milwaukee Food Council.

I also recognize that the topic of food is vast, and that there are various orientations to the topic. Some efforts are concerned with the exploitative and unsustainable corporate global food system, others with concern over the impact global climate change will have on the food system, and still others are focused on improving access to food in neighborhoods where political forces have driven grocery stores out of urban areas. At this moment of increasing interest in the topic of food, it is difficult to stay abreast of all the scholarship on the entire vast topic of. Yet I believe I have a good handle on what’s happening within the food movement and have been particularly interested in food sovereignty and food justice, and scholarship that looks critically at the food movement. More important than the scholarship around food, though, is the day-to-day work being done to improve access for ALL people to the healthy culturally appropriate food, in ways that help all individuals maintain their dignity. I feel fortunate for opportunities to work with leaders in our community who are committed to this mission.

I believe I have practical skills that can be helpful to the MFC. I have twelve years’ experience writing/administering grants and building multi-sector partnerships and collaborations. As a program manager, I am responsible for leading meetings and maintaining communication with project team members. As a community-engaged researcher, all of the research I conduct is in partnership with community organizations, which requires strong networking and collaboration skills, something I think I do relatively well. I am a member of the American Public Health Association; I have served on the board of the Bay View Community Center, and currently serve on Froedtert Cancer Center’s Community Advisory Board. I am available and willing to attend regularly scheduled MFC meetings.

I believe my diverse skills and interests, and academic understanding of the various threads within the food discussion, make me a strong candidate for the MFC Board of Directors. I appreciate your consideration of my application.

Angela Kingsawan

My name is Angela Kingsawan and I am a third generation City of Milwaukee resident. I am a lifelong indigenous gardener, herbalist, seed steward, and caretaker of Turtle Island (earth). I have held my full time position at Core el Centro for two years and contracted for approximately a year before being a permanent hire. Currently at Core el Centro, I lead two herbal apprenticeships and manage a rooftop and urban garden. I have also created an urban herb farm within the city to supply my business, Yenepa Herbals L.L.C. I grow all of the plant materials used in my products. Besides making herbal medicine, beauty products, body care, and cleaning products, I also grow rare/endangered indigenous foods. I contract services through my business across the state and beyond with both native and non-native organizations. These services include: creating gardens, teaching permaculture ethics, gardening workshops, herbal demos, nature walks, herbal medicine consultations, “food as medicine” cooking demos, yoga classes, and children/adult make your own product parties. For native organizations, I specifically offer classes on decolonization and healing historical trauma through earth connection, seed exchanges and seed/food sovereignty workshops.

I have been on the board for the annual Milwaukee Cancer Symposium, Three Oaks Circle, and currently Share the Care 2019. Through a number of organizations, I have acquired nonprofit experience, fundraising, grant writing, community engagement, management, networking, event/program planning, and volunteer/program planning. I have attended MFC meetings on and off for the past two years. There are things I would like to see improved upon. With that in mind, I would like to join the MFC board to lend my unique voice to bring awareness of native peoples and plants to the food culture and equity & justice of Milwaukee. I also have ideas that could make Milwaukee economically vibrant while remaining ecologically sustainable, some of which I have begun implementing in my own business. Through connections I have made across the City of Milwaukee with other diverse organizations, I see potential partnerships and growth of the MFC and the city as a whole. If elected, I will make the space in my schedule to fully commit to the MFC. Thank you for your consideration.

Danielle Nabak

Please accept this letter and supplemental materials as self-nomination for the 2019 Milwaukee Food Council Board of Directors election. My education, passion for advancing population health
through food, and experience working in Milwaukee communities make me an extremely qualified candidate for a MFC board position.

My education and professional training as a dietitian provide a science- and evidence-based platform that grounds my work in the community. I spent two recent years working for the Clarke Square
Neighborhood Initiative building relationships with community leaders and residents, community organizations, and other agencies in order to facilitate collective conversations and work on health
and wellness, arts and culture, and economic development strategies. I am proud to offer a vast network of community development connections specific to the Near South Side (ie. Journey House,
Pete’s Fruit Market, El Rey, Sixteenth St Community Health Center) and throughout Milwaukee (ie. Milwaukee Police District 2, WWBIC, Zilber Family Foundation). I currently work for UW-Extension
in Milwaukee County as a Healthy Communities Coordinator, where I support Milwaukee Schools in improving nutrition and physical activity through policy, systems, and environment change. This
role allows me to work towards improved population health through food and physical activity. Since beginning this role in May of 2018, I have been an active participant of the Milwaukee Food Council Policy Committee. As a member of the Board of Directors, I commit to strengthened participation and leadership on this committee. I also have interest in the Community Engagement Committee.

I am personally and professionally committed to equity and justice. I am fortunate that my professional experiences have exposed me to a great deal of diversity, which has grown my cultural competency and humility, as well as encouraged me to engage in more colorful problem solving. I welcome relationships with those who look, speak, and live differently than me. I look forward to my own continued growth as a champion of equity and justice throughout my term with the MFC Board of Directors.

I can see that the Milwaukee Food Council has great opportunity for growth and accomplishment. I am eager to use my network of connections and passion for supporting communities through food as a catalyst for this change. Though I do not have previous service as a board member, I am confident that my experience in grant writing, community engagement, nonprofit culture, and networking add significant value to my candidacy.

I look forward to growing and prospering with the Milwaukee Food Council Board of Directors and Community. At this time, I am available to attend all 2019 MFC meetings.

Barbara Richards

Barbara Richards has served on the MFC Board for a year. Ms. Richards currently is MFC Corresponding Secretary and co-chair of the MFC Policy Committee. Ms. Richards currently serves on the board of the LGBT Community Center; the Volunteer Leadership Council of the Great Waters Group of the Sierra Club and is conservation Chair and Newsletter Chair; the Steering Committee of the Interfaith Earth Network; and the Governance Board of Reflo: Sustainable Water Solutions. Ms. Richards is a long time home gardener, member of Bread for The World, and participant in the VGI Blitz. Ms. Richards organized Friends of Milwaukee’s Downtown Forest to promote permaculture design in urban spaces. Ms.Richards is committed to a collective impact approach to the resilience and relevance of Milwaukee’s food system. Ms. Richards skills include Community engagement, non profit experience, networking and event planning.

Erika Villafuerte

I’m running for the board again because living understanding how food can be a key factor in living as healthy as possible and getting that information to everyone that wants it is important to me. I have special interest in serving, our lower income and ethnic populations that often are underserved and don’t have the time or resources to look further into getting access to healthier foods and how to bring these options into the needed areas of the city.
I also feel that these past 2 years on the board, we have just started to engage a little more with the diverse community outreach and would like to be part of taking it a little further and touching all cultures with this needed information.

Candidates for 2018 Board of Directors Elections

December 17, 2017

At our January 18, 2018 annual meeting, we will be holding elections for open seats on our board of directors. Note that this is a regular full council meeting. As such everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend; the vote itself will only take up a small time slot.

According to our bylaws, members who are present will participate in the vote. Anyone who wishes to join as a member prior to the vote may do so including on January 18; you may become a member on our web site right now or at the January 18 meeting, in which case, please come early and bring the $25 of membership dues – we accept check, exact change cash, mastercard, visa.

Below are the profiles for candidates who have nominated themselves for election to the board, in alphabetical order, by last name. Note that we did not significantly alter nomination information, therefore the formatting and length of each is variable in order to preserve the original voice of the nominee. Please read through them all to give them equal consideration.

You may also download the 2018 MFC BOD candidate profiles in PDF format here.

The 2018 Milwaukee Food Council Board of Directors candidates are: Karin Conway, Daphne Jackson, Meg Kilkenny, Brian Sales, and Nya Taryor Jr.

Please scroll all the way down to view all of the candidates’ profiles.

THE REASONS WHY I AM APPLYING FOR THE MILWAUKEE FOOD COUNCIL BOARD MEMBER NOMINATION

During the years of 2015-2017, I was voted in to have a place on the board. I will explain why that two year term allowed me to commit to serving as a board member for the Milwaukee Food Council. I will explain why I decided to put a bid in for a nomination. The first paragraph will share how hospitable I became for the board and other members of the Milwaukee Food Council to engage in business that needed to be done. The second paragraph has to do with my duties that were performed during my term as a board member. Finally, I will explain the reason why I wanted to network with the organization.

The setting began at the first board meeting. Jesse Blom was also a part of the class I was voted in. He asked a question at the beginning of the meeting saying, “Does anyone want to host future board meetings?” I responded with saying that the organization could meet at Summerfield United Methodist Church. From that statement, many activities within the Milwaukee Food Council accepted that hospitality. It allowed meetings on food insecurity, economic development and even the opportunity for the City Ecological and Health Department to discuss with the Board of Directors. I would say the most important event that happened because of the hospitality that I brought to the Milwaukee Food Council, was the ability to sit with the Madison office of the American Heart Association. The representative that they had in Milwaukee connected with me to give me the opportunity to sit down with them. Listening to their vision which focused on Healthy Food to be provided to the low income areas was a historical event. I hope to continue these types of events at Summerfield United Methodist Church. If we are going to make “History”, the setting of these events will be documented.

First, I would like to humbly say that it was an honor by the members of the Milwaukee Food Council to vote for me to be a board member. I wanted to be someone who would participate in those activities to support movements bettering the food system in Milwaukee. I am someone who wants people to survive, eat healthy and to be able to be themselves. I was grateful for the opportunity to be voted in. It has given me the ability to show the people of the organization how dedicated I am to help do things that could better the system within Milwaukee. I even had the privilege of being Vice President during my term. It happen by default, however I worked well with the executive committee and established myself as a leader in the group. That I am grateful for and hope that the bid I put in is seen as something or someone who is willing to be a champion for change in making Milwaukee a city that defeats hunger with people working together.

How I got here? That would be a long story to explain. Yet, I would say it is because Milwaukee needs to be recognized for something great to the world. Back in 2005, when I graduated from Olivet College, my goal was to become someone in a city that would influence ideas. The only community in Milwaukee that I am connected to is the United Methodist Church. I’m at least fourth generations connected to the denomination. A lot of people thought that I would become a minister. I still have the ability to reach that goal when I feel God has that goal set for me. However, my journey took me to the streets where I was able to gain a understanding of the issues within society. From that I helped establish a soup kitchen at Summerfield United Methodist Church to reach people in need. The program is in its sixth year. It has grown into something our Wisconsin Annual Conference can use as an opportunity to do Ministry Outreach. I wanted to work with others within these communities in Milwaukee to better the region. Even though I am a Methodist, I know that the world is full of diverse people and in order for people to co-exist, we have to work together.

In these few paragraphs I hope that I explained the reason bid to be a member of the Milwaukee Food Council Board Of Directors from 2018-2020. I explained some of the hospitality that my bid gave during my term. I was even able to share the responsibilities that I had to take on while on the board. Finally, I shared the fact that my purpose and goal was to work with others to help solve issues in Milwaukee. I love the city and know it has the ability to influence other cities to connect as a compassionate community. I want to be a part of the growth of a great organization. I am a member that wants to help with the change and hope to continue developing my leadership role and skills. Please consider my bid as one which will be important to the food system for this city.

Nya Taryor
Summerfield United Methodist
Wiley College, Olivet College Graduate 2005, Garrett Theological Seminary

Previous Board Experience: Summerfield Administrative Council, Interchange Food Pantry and The Milwaukee Food Council

Skills: Community Engagement, Public Relations, Communication, Non-Profit Experience, Networking, Volunteer Coordinating, Member Engagement, Event and Program Planning

End of Candidate Profiles

Candidates for 2017 Board of Directors Elections

December 20, 2016

At our January 19, 2017 annual meeting, we will be holding elections for six open seats on our board of directors. Note that this is a regular full council meeting. As such everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend; the vote itself will only take up a small time slot.

According to our bylaws, members who are present will participate in the vote. Anyone who wishes to join as a member prior to the vote may do so including on January 19; you may become a member on our web site right now or at the January 19 meeting, in which case, please come early and bring the $25 of membership dues – we accept check, exact change cash, mastercard, visa.

You may also download the 2017 MFC BOD candidate profiles in PDF format (260KB) here.

David D. Berka

Volunteer Engagement Coordinator,Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin

I hold a Master’s degree from Duke University (2016, summa cum laude), where I studied ethics, politics, and theology for three years. Much of my research was related to ethical issues in food economy and ecology from faith-based perspectives. I have long worked with churches around the country, and most recently in North Carolina churches with their food bank and pantry partners in Ashe County. In my spare time I am an independent scholar of religion and ethics, and I also work with local Milwaukee pastors to promote faith-based community organizing with Common Ground.

I recently began working with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin (FAEW) in Milwaukee, which is how I learned about the work of the Milwaukee Food Council. At FAEW I get to further my work both in Milwaukee’s food system and its broader civic institutions by promoting nonprofit volunteerism and food system awareness. After attending my first MFC meeting on Nov. 17^th, I’m confident I would be able to contribute my skill and insight for the benefit of MFC.

As a member of MFC’s Board of Directors, I would bring key qualities to my work on behalf of MFC: perspective, commitment, and integrity. First, my perspective spans both professional and academic settings, and my awareness of faith-based perspectives on and motivations for improving food systems would be a major asset to MFC. Having worked in interfaith settings previously, I’m experienced in building common cause within a community of varied religious perspectives and commitments. Food security and sustainability is something essential for many religious faiths represented in Milwaukee.

Second, my commitment: I am committed to the work of food system improvement and growth in Milwaukee and surrounding areas, which was a major motivation behind my seeking work with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. As an eastern Wisconsin native, I have a strong desire to see my neighbors and surrounding communities flourish with nutritious, sustainable food. Combining my work with a major food-focused nonprofit with that of MFC would be an effective long-term partnership.

Third and finally, I have the integrity to perform my service to MFC with care, confidence, effort, transparency, and a desire to listen and learn from those whose needs are more salient than my own, and whose perspectives are more enriched than my own. I am committed to thorough work, to collaborative work, and to effective work. I would be delighted to offer these commitments and skills on behalf of the MFC.

Given these commitments, I am able to attend Milwaukee Food Council meetings for the required times over the next two years. I live and work in Milwaukee, and intend to concentrate all my professional efforts here on behalf of food sustainability, security, and food system development. This will allow my service to the MFC Board of Directors to be consistent and focused.

Nayla Bezares

I am an advisor (teacher) at Escuela Verde, a student-led, environmentally-focused public charter school in Milwaukee’s South Side. I have presented my work with Milwaukee youth at the North American Association for Environmental Education Conference both from a Food Justice standpoint as well as from the standpoint of marginalized populations and their involvement in the environmental movement.

With regards to the MFC, I have visited the Milwaukee Food Council meetings since April 2015 and have volunteered for a number of work groups that have formed since. I also facilitated the Escuela Verde building as a meeting space for the MFC July meeting.

My involvement with the Milwaukee food systems started six years ago when I moved to this city from Puerto Rico, where I was born and raised, to join General Mills as a Manufacturing and Engineering Associate. I worked with the food giant for four and a half years and decided to leave the company when differences between my values, lifestyle and beliefs and the company’s main goals were more than any other motivations to stay in that environment.

Opportunely, my work as a Math volunteer at Escuela Verde resulted in an offer to join their team and I am currently in my second year with the school. My work focuses on addressing diversity from a food standpoint by studying different cultures through the foods they eat and comparing that to the American diet. Understanding the food system and touching on topics of food justice locally is one of the initiatives I have led with the entire school.

Like with many of us, my conscious relationship with food started with my mom in the kitchen and, while I have burn marks that confirm I am an experienced cook, I came to learn how detached I had been from the food I consumed when I moved to Milwaukee. I realized that Puerto Rico has access to a fraction of the produce available in the mainland and that complicated politics behind perpetuate this reality. I have a commitment with the food activist community to untangle the obstacles that prevent food access to people of all races, incomes and geographic location. I believe food sovereignty has many layers of empowerment and it should be something every living being claims. Thus, I consider myself a good candidate for the Milwaukee Food Council Board of Directors because I will bring to the group the perspectives of the communities I serve and belong to as well as a relentless desire to make progress in this arena. While I may not have experience in some of the focus areas of the Council, I do have curiosity and drive to further our impact.

As a teacher my work schedule is fixed 9-4pm Mon-Fri. Making time to attend the MFC meeting will require asking for time off work. This is not impossible and I count with the support of my colleagues, but it may result in my absence from some of the general meetings. As far as board meetings I have a work conference the week of Feb 13th and may not be able to attend the Feb 16th meeting.

Stephanie Calloway

Program Manager, CORE/El Centro; Board member, Outpost Natural Foods;

I’ve been involved with the MFC since 2009, a steering committee member since December 2013 and the board president since June 2016. In addition to supporting a number of community gardens and small scale farming projects, I launched my own sunflower oil business in 2016 and plan to farm 2 acres in 2017. As a board member of Outpost cooperative, I’ve also gained experience in the retail side of the food system, understanding the impacts of the increasingly competitive market in Milwaukee and recognize the impact of the inequitable distribution of healthy retail outlets.

I connect to food through a spiritual relationship to Earth and reverence/respect for her role in shaping our histories, cultures, families and health. Since spring 2014, I took initiative to facilitate a collective impact process for the MFC, looking to engage a wider diversity of participation in the Milwaukee Food Council and position the MFC to hold/lead a vision for a more just and sustainable food experience in Milwaukee. I am passionate about the power of food to break down cycles of oppression and support cultural pride and cross-pollination. I see the potential for MFC to continue building on its 10 year history to bring a wider representation from residents, businesses, and industries (healthcare, housing, transportation, etc) and am excited for the possibility to continue being involved.

I have missed only 1 meeting in the last year, with the birth of my second child. I am committed to the work of the MFC and have a flexible schedule at my other jobs to be able to accommodate meetings, whether morning, afternoon or evening, given enough notice.

Karin Mary Conway aka “KC” aka “Organic Growth Coach”

Education includes;

US Health Center – Health Coach Certification (in process 2016)
Victory Garden Initiative – Permaculture Design Certification -12/2013
Victory Garden Initiative – Food Leader Certification – 12/2013
Cardinal Stritch University- Milwaukee, WI – 12/2003 Bachelor of Business Management. Graduated with Academic Distinction.
Coach Training Alliance, Certified Coach – 2010- 4/2011
Waukesha County Technical College, WI. Associate Marketing – 12/2000

Work experience includes;

*Healthy Cooking Show Host (2/2016-Present) I build relationships with local individuals at events where I demonstrate how to prepare healthy food with great taste. People learn how to keep the nutrients and flavor in their food. I regularly have children devouring fruits and vegetables.

*Garden Supervisor/Nutrition Education (2/2015-present) Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church, Facilitated grant-funded rooftop garden plus 38 raised bed gardens to efficiently grow 1,500 lbs of produce for the under-served in Bayview. Trained and managed staff in the garden as well as at the Community Center where we demonstrated and distributed the produce. Recipients were given an opportunity to taste a recipe, learn how to prepare it, and take home the ingredients at no charge. Tracked all stats for grant requirements.

*Coaching/Training/ Marketing Consultant (1/2008-present) KMC Marketing, LLC Organic Growth Coach. I teach and coach people to make better food choices including how to grow their own food organically and reduce toxic exposure. Marketing tasks performed for clients include; Deployed CRM marketing, revamped company website, Facilitated training and networking events, Formed Business Partnerships, etc.

*Senior Buyer/Department Manager (1989-2001) Pick ‘n Save, Oconomowoc, WI

Event Organizer for Milwaukee Holistic Health Expo since 2011. We host a spring and fall event each year to help educate families on nutrition, alternative health choices, holistic treatments, mindfulness, etc.
Organic Farming Volunteer and Food Leader Mentor at Victory Garden Initiative. We educate local families how they can grow their own healthy food. As a mentor, I help support the future Food Leaders so their projects make a difference in the local food system and health of the community.
School Garden Coordinator for Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful. We encourage and facilitate the implementation of raised bed gardens at local schools. I manage a demonstration garden at KGMB, plus train the teachers how to build and manage their own gardens on-site at the schools.
Events Committee and volunteer for Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee
US Health Centers Health Coach Certification Mentor
Active Member of the Milwaukee Food Council
Steering Committee volunteer of the CIUAN (Institute for Urban Agriculture & Nutrition)
Race Director for Badgerland Striders Lakefront Discovery Run 2007-2010. Responsible for coordinating budget, permits, course, venues, volunteers, pre-planning, registration, race day management, follow-up, planning future improvements as a consultant to new RD.
Race Director for Komen Milwaukee Race for the Cure 2003-2004. • Completed first full marathon in June 1999 with Team in Training. I raised $3800 for the Leukemia Society of America. I worked full time while training for the marathon, fundraising, and attending night school. To present, I have completed 3 full marathons and am an active volunteer coordinator in the Badgerland Striders Running Club.
Bilingual skills in Spanish and English
Past volunteer at Sweetwater Organics in Bayview
Past Garden Coordinator/Volunteer for New Beginnings Are Possible. I taught at risk children the joys of gardening and facilitated growing a garden on-site. 2005-2006
Organic Gardener since birth. I learned everything I know from my Mother.

Completed Dismantling Racism Training with Growing Power.

I have been attending meetings for the past 4 years. I have volunteered for the set up and clean up crew and also participated in the CIUAN steering committee.

I have been working to help end hunger and teach basic gardening skills to those who are highest at risk of hunger.

I have been training with victory garden initiative and most recently a mentor for the food leader program. I receive my permaculture certification through victory garden initiative and organized numerous in -person as well as online events to connect people around food.

I am a wonderful candidate especially because of my willingness to step up and help wherever health and food is involved. I truly believe that having access to real clean food is more important than anything else. If people do not have the nutrients they need it makes it very difficult to do anything else in life. Everyone deserves equal access to real food.

I work as a health consultant and teach people how to grow and prepare healthy food.

My latest endeavors are focused around teaching more classes related to food. How to grow food anywhere…How to keep maximum nutrients intact during food preparation… Vermicompost…Micro green growing, etc.

I have partnered with a local MD and am co-authoring a cookbook focused on utilizing foods rich in phytonutrients.

I am a natural connector and have put so many resources towards connecting like-minded people around food. I currently organize numerous Meetup groups and can easily help spread the word about the Food Council. Because I am business and tech savvy, I can be very useful with utilizing technology to our advantage.

I am a certified coach and have extensive experience organizing events. My marketing and business management degrees always come in handy.

I travel a lot for my job but I can control my schedule and can easily make the meetings.

Kristen Fledderjohn

I have a deep passion for human rights and the potential of food for healing self and community.

I have been a member since I moved to the mid-west in 2014 and have attended every membership meeting since. In February 2016 I filled the Treasurer position on the board of the MFC and have helped fulfill the many tasks to become an independent and functioning organization.

Personally, as the Treasurer this past year, I have continued to show up, take on responsibility, and follow through on my commitments. Organizationally I have played a pivotal role in the formation of the MFC as a nonprofit and would like to continue to nurture our growth.

Monthly third Thursdays are reserved for the MFC commitment.

Marie Jewell

Marie is a tenured Hunger Task Force employee with great experience in food systems work with us and with Outpost Natural Foods.

Hunger Task Force is an anti-hunger public policy organization. Hunger Task Force operates an independent, Free&Local food bank; the Pick and Save Fresh Picks Mobile Market and the Farm. Maries has played an active role in all of these aspects of Hunger Task Force.

Marie is trained to manage and direct people; she is an excellent communicator and has strong marketing background. Her work in food systems with Outpost had her designing and implementing community education programs. Her work at Hunger Task Force, first managing volunteers and events and later recruiting and managing 6000 volunteers annually could be of great support to the Milwaukee Food Council.

Marie is a seasoned leader and has the time to devote to board membership. As her employer, I agreed to nominate her and provide assurance that she can faithfully participate on the Board of Directors.

Dawn Powell

I am a regular attendee to the Food Council meetings during the NEW administration and look forward to being a leader at the table of strategic planning to help improve our Food system In Milwaukee.

I feel that my background in entrepreneurship, gardening and Horticulture will help the Food Council Board of Milwaukee provide hands-on experience with NEW and exciting engagements at the neighborhood level.

At the neighborhood level of recognition of my work are:

Gardening Award – Borchert Field Cares – 2013

Fruit & Nutty 5 Contest Winner – 2013

City Grant – 8th & Concordia Garden – 2013

Outstanding Leadership & Stewardship – District Strategist, 2016

I do not foresee a conflict with attendance to upcoming board meetings.

Dawn Powell BIO

Entrepreneur – Urban Gardener and Horticulturist

Dawn to Dusk Forever Garden Group LLC

I grew up in Milwaukee and graduated from Washington High School. After attending Milwaukee Area Technical College for a year and a half, I joined the family business on North Avenue for 15 years. My hands-on entrepreneurial background and customer care skill sets started early on and were honed in my exposure through my family’s business located on North Avenue – Powell’s Gift Shop, one of the first African-American stores in Milwaukee.

For the past 12 years, I have been fortunate to work with well-known practitioners in Agriculture and Garden Management. This includes first-hand and hands-on creation of gardens for food, case study education as well as gardens for beautification – landscaping.

My background has provided a wealth of information that involved collaborative work with different age groups (including youth), nurseries, schools, community and private organizations, and the City of Milwaukee, in hands-on creations for Community Gardens.

My hands-on In-service work with Will Allen, Growing Power, for 3 years, has proven to be one of the most rewarding in working with Compost.

My experience working in Borchert Field Neighborhood, District 6, in the construction of 4 Community Gardens include the following: 3200 N. 9th (2005), 9th & Ring (2009) – It is now known as “We Got This Community Garden”; 9th & Concordia (2013) – Tree Orchard Garden; and 8th & Concordia (2013) – The Heritage Garden. Some other gardens I have had hands-on in Borchert Fields are: 11th & Burleigh – named Borchert Fields Garden and 9th & Burleigh – The Story Garden (working with students of Robert LaFollette School).

And, my work has also been with 3 gardens in the Harambee Neighborhood. They are located at: 7th & Locust – “Children of the Sun” Garden, 5th & Locust – the “Peace” Garden and at Dr. Martin L. King Drive & Clark Street – Victory Over Violence Garden (next to CYD).

In 2015, I provided landscape design for Neighborhood House Community Garden.

Our work at Dawn to Dusk Forever Garden Group LLC has grown in its outreach partnerships. Last year, we held our first annual summit, “Planting for SPRING, Designing for SUMMER”, at Havenswood State Forest, 6141 N. Hopkins Street, Milwaukee, WI 53209, with Guest Speaker, Senator Lena Taylor, District 4. The advisory group and event team partners were: Amazing Architecture, Love Foundation Inc, and Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC. Presenters, attendees, and sponsors included: Auriea Mosley, Clarke Graphics, Kompost Kids, Milwaukee Urban Garden, Ratke Nurseries, Regal Enterprises, Two Girls and a Farm, Victoria Bodor, Victory Gardens Initiative and Wells Fargo Bank. We also had two Interns from Mount Mary College and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.

Barbara A. Richards

Permaculture Design Certificates –(2011 VGI, 2013 Regenerative Leadership Institute); Founding member of Reflo: Sustainable Water Solutions; Interfaith Earth Network: Steering Committee, Secretary 2011 to present; Milwaukee Environmental Consortium Board, Secretary 2016 to present.

Growing up, my family were home gardeners, canners and raised milk goats for about 6 years. As a pre-teen I had a 4-H garden Project. I have continued to grow food on home plots and now am establishing a permaculture yard on Milwaukee’s west side. I have volunteered with VGI Blitz and Kompost Kids events. I have urged the development of three sustainable food sites since 2011: ref. Lisbon Food Village for one. My current project is Friends of Milwaukee’s Downtown Forest.

I have a commitment to the broad range of needs that a sustainable Food System encompasses. I have a commitment to Milwaukee. I have three grandsons who live in Milwaukee. The meeting times and venue is a match for me as a west sider.

Erika Villafuerte

*Unitedhealthcare- Multicultural Community Engagement & Provider Relations Specialist -*Salud First- Health and Wellness Guide *Wisconsin Institute For Healthy Aging- Living Well With Diabetes Leader *Professional Amistad Network- Administrator

I’ve been attending MFC meetings for about 2 years now and immediately at my first meeting I found that the ideas and goals shared by many participants of the meetings greatly spoke to me. I was hooked, and have looked forward to each meeting ever since.

Unfortunately, as my role with UnitedHealthcare has grown, I have been doing a lot more traveling and that means I cannot commit to a set expected attendance schedule for the upcoming year. However, I can commit to try my best to make as many meetings as possible and to pitch in anywhere I can once I am updated on any missed meetings. I will try to give as much notice as possible to not being able to attend a meeting but once in a while there are unexpected mandatory UHC meetings from my management that may arise, but that would be rare. I understand this doesn’t sound too promising, given the expected attendance of board members, but I believe I can make a great contribution even with my limited time.

I am very passionate about sharing information and resources to educate communities to reach their dreams for a better tomorrow. I greatly feel this is best achieved by starting with health first, but it’s difficult to get healthy in environments without access to healthy food. In both my roles at UHC and my personal business, I have the opportunity to connect with people and organizations that share the same goals as the MFC. I’m eager to work together with as many organizations as possible and connect them MFC’s mission to help our underserved populations get the health education to eating well they need and want. I’m also hoping to bring aboard organizations that can aid other personal issues many face that make putting health first less of a priority. My personal vision and that of MFC align well; I will be glad to help raise more awareness of the council and identify community opportunities as able.

Pahoua Xiong

I am a passionate supporter of local food and reforming a food system that is healthier for all people and the planet. I have worked with entities that address food insecurity and production, and the promotion for better health and nutrition. During my time at Feeding America food bank, I organized volunteers to help pack and get food into the hands of those who need it most. In an effort to maximize Feeding America’s produce donations while working to minimize wasted product and resources, I spearheaded the creation of their Fresh Rescue produce sort. The program ensured that donated fruits and vegetables, received from grocery stores and producers, would be thoroughly inspected and correctly stored before entering the distribution system, so that clients would receive only the best kinds of foods, safe and nutritious.

Recently, my current role is public health associate and market manager with the Greenfield Health Department, using food and nutrition knowledge to promote and improve the health of the community. Also, as market manager for the Greenfield Farmers Market, I oversee the operation of the market, maintain the market token program for EBT access, and create content for the market’s Facebook page and newsletters.

End of Candidate Profiles

Candidates for 2016 Board of Directors Elections

January 6, 2016

At our January 21 meeting, we will be holding elections for 6 open seats on our board of directors.

Everyone who attends the meeting is welcome to participate in the vote.

Below are the profiles for candidates who have nominated themselves for election to the board, in alphabetical order, by last name.

Jesse Blom

Milwaukee Director, Sweet Water Foundation

Master’s student, UWM School of Freshwater Sciences

Self-employed jack of many trades

I have been attending Milwaukee Food Council meetings since 2011, I have been serving on the MFC Steering Committee since January 2014, and I have been serving as convener of Food Council meetings and President of the MFC Steering Committee since June 2015.

I have consistently made almost all of the required meetings since joining the Steering Committee in 2014, and I intend to continue to make all of the meetings.

I was drawn to the Food Council initially based on my work with Sweet Water Foundation, in the field of urban agriculture education. I found that the Food Council was an excellent network of practitioners across many different fields of work, and I have made some enduring friendships and professional relationships through this network. I attended meetings regularly for two or three years, before being invited to serve on the Steering Committee. Since joining the Steering Committee, I now see the ability of the Food Council to create strong partnerships and coalitions between groups with the common goal of building a better food system in Milwaukee.

My professional experience in the world of urban agriculture and education, with a focus on aquaponics technology, puts me in the midst of food system work in Milwaukee. Also, I think it is good for the Food Council to have some continued leadership with my role as convener of MFC meetings.

Antoine Carter – Toine (nickname)

Program Manager – Milwaukee Urban Gardens – A program of Groundwork Milwaukee

Liaison – MFC and IUAN Steering Committee

Community Collaborative Council Member

I would be able to attend most MFC meetings. Maybe meetings in August and October will be hard because of traveling for work, but those dates aren’t set yet.

I think I am a great candidate for the Board of Directors because I bring a different approach to urban ag. I think my current position as Program Manager for Milwaukee Urban Gardens, I have developed a good rapport with community gardeners all over the city. Also in my current position, I get to engage with other stakeholders – developers, politicians, business owners – so I have a good awareness of gaps in which the MFC could be helpful. I fancy myself a person with new and innovative ideas and I would give 100% in making the MFC the best collective around.

Damian J. Coleman

Co-owner of ELYVE Organics

Growing Power Commercial Urban Agriculture (CUA) Program Graduate

Institute for Urban Agriculture and Nutrition (IUAN) Partnership at UW-Milwaukee

My friend and I started a company called ELYVE Compost, and the Milwaukee Food Council was one of the first organizations we were introduced to. We knew soil and good healthy food goes hand to hand, so it was a no-brainer that we network with Milwaukee Food Council (MFC).

Being a entrepreneur and having a great business partner with ELYVE Organics allows me the flexibility to attend the Milwaukee Food Council Full and Board Meetings for the next two years. If something was to come up where I couldn’t attend, I would let the Board members know ahead of time.

E.L.Y.V.E is an acronym for Eco Living Youthful Vibrant Educators in organic living. Our mission is Mind • Body • Soil; we educate the mind to feed the body healthy food made with organic soil. The Milwaukee Food Council exemplifies what ELYVE is all about, and I think we can educate different cultures on how to live a healthier lifestyle.

Karin Conway

Karin Mary Conway, aka Organic Growth Coach, KMC Marketing LLC

Food Justice Advocate (Organic Farm Manager/Nutrition Education at Tippe JUST.GOOD.FOOD, Combating racism Growing Power Chicago, Bayview Community Center, etc.)

Volunteer/Mentor for Victory Garden Initiative (VGI)

Victory Garden Initiative (VGI) certifications in Permaculture Design and Food Leader

Volunteer at Grow It Forward Manitowoc Community Garden (mentored the founder of GIF)

Volunteer for WI Local Food Summit

Fruity Nutty Community orchard recipient 2015

Institute for Urban Agriculture and Nutrition (IUAN) Steering Committee

Active member and have attended almost every Milwaukee Food Council (MFC) meeting for last 2+ years

I will attend all meetings, no current conflicts

Servant Leader looking for opportunities to impact the food and lives of Milwaukee residents. Community Organizer who brings people together (RAW MKE Meetup, Health & Nutrition Enthusiasts, Milwaukee Business Professionals, etc.)

Organizer of Holistic Health Expo since 2011

Technology Wizard who uses skills to bring together technology-resistant folks for the good of all. (organizing events, teaching importance and how-to of networking)

12 years’ experience working in grocery

8 years’ experience as a small businesses marketing consultant helping small local business owners grow and network with potential partners

Very skilled in helping others make informed food choices, including Gluten and dairy free options (Pursuing certification in Nutrition)

Farmers Market Demonstrator, Kale Chip Queen, Worm-Keeper, Organic Gardener, Marketing Manager, Health & Nutrition Advocate, Business Builder, Efficiency Enthusiast, Experienced Race Director, Growth Coach, Servant Leader, Sustainability Enthusiast, Compost Queen, Systems Integrator, Permaculture Designer

I am a strong believer that everyone deserves access to wholesome local food.

Martha Davis Kipcak

Founder, Milwaukee Food Council.

Participating Founder, Milwaukee County Winter Farmer’s Market.

Former Regional Governor of Slow Food in the Upper Midwest.

Former Leader of Slow Food WI Southeast.

Former Growing Power Board Member.

Former Wisconsin Local Food Network Board Member.

Current Sweet Water Foundation Board Member.

Leadership Council, FaB Wisconsin (Food and Beverage Industry network).

Entrepreneur/Artisan Food Producer, Mighty Fine Food LLC.

Community Curator, Milwaukee Public Museum’s 2017 Our Global Kitchen exhibit.

Martha founded the Milwaukee Food Council in 2007, while working for a local philanthropist, to create a common table for diverse stakeholders to connect and collectively promote a just, equitable, sustainable, vibrant, healthy and delicious food system for Milwaukee.

As far as I know, the schedule for the next two years of meetings are good to go.

I am extremely proud, and humbled, to witness and participate in the steady evolution of the Milwaukee Food Council and its role in Milwaukee’s food landscape. If chosen to continue, I hope to lend a shoulder as a BOD member to help solidify MFC’s participation at multiple levels of impact from city policy to academic research to economic growth to cultural awareness to social justice to personal/communal/ecological health. Although not a native to Wisconsin, or the Midwest, I hope my years of commitment to Milwaukee’s local food system will bring a helpful sense of context, at least for the last decade of sustainable food system work.

Catherine Draeger-Pederson

Executive Director, Friedens Community Ministries, Inc.: a network of (3) food pantries in Milwaukee county.

2015 TOYA (Ten Outstanding Young Americans) Award- US Junior Chamber (Jaycees)

2015 Outstanding Young Wisconsinite- JCI Wisconsin

I was introduced to the Milwaukee Food Council in the summer of 2015. I attended one full meeting and several “Collective Impact” committee meetings.

I commit to prioritizing Milwaukee Food Council Events and Board Meetings, as well as needed committee meetings for 2016-2017. At this time I see no conflicts.

Nonprofits and related organizations can no longer operate in a silo. With limited resources and a growing need, we not only strengthen our own piece of the pie but more importantly the integrated food structure in the Milwaukee area when we work cooperatively. As the Executive Director of Friedens Community Ministries, I focus on building ladders of peace through our food pantry network. Last year we served over 12,000 households and 36,000 individuals. This year we are on track to serve over 44,000 individuals with 5 days of food. We want to be a part of the long-term solution for food security. As a MFC Board member, I would work in collaboration with others to build a food system that is healthy, ecologically sustainable, economically vibrant, culturally relevant and socially just.

Kristen Fledderjohn

I, Kristen Fledderjohn, nominate myself as a candidate for the Board of Directors of the Milwaukee Food Council.

I have numerous affiliations with food oriented organizations throughout the greater Milwaukee area. The Healthy Choices Department of the Sixteenth Street Community Health Center has clocked the most volunteer hours, then CORE/El Centro and Victory Garden Initiative. As part of a master’s program, I researched urban agriculture and interned with a small organization making connections within the small town food system of Vermont. I have known my farmer since 2003 and across three states. In Wisconsin, I became that farmer.

In August 2014 I moved to Wisconsin, attending my first MFC meeting September 2014. During that meeting I signed up for the Hospitality Committee and have set up for every meeting since. I also joined the Collective Impact work group.

At this moment in time, I am beats away from new employment. I firmly believe that the pie is big enough to get all needs met and I can manage one meeting a month at minimum. There are no foreseeable obstacles to attending the required meetings.

One strength that I bring to the MFC is an outside perspective because I am not from Milwaukee, and because hunger, food waste, economic revitalization, and environmental degradation due to agriculture (etc) are global issues. I like to think systemically and work on a local level. This fall I completed a master’s program in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management where I studied social business and nonprofit management through a lens of global diversity and sustainable development. I actively seek out diverse environments for continued learning and growth.

Bonnie Halvorsen

I grew up at my grandfather’s side both in the garden and the kitchen. He taught me about the therapeutic aspects of good food. Later, I studied and practiced Ayurvedic nutrition (certified at University of Puna, India). My work at Institute of Urban Agriculture & Nutrition continues to teach the therapeutic aspects of growing and sharing food. I have an MA in Communication focused on social marketing, and have executive administration experience at Zilber School of Public Health. I’ve been honored as a Women of Influence (Milwaukee Business Journal), Member of the Year (Wisconsin Public Health Association), Miller Master’s Service Award (UW-Milwaukee), and was nominated for Academic Staff Outstanding Service (UW System).

A MFC member since 2012, I served on the hospitality committee, and have collaborated with many MFC members on other projects.

I have no conflicts in 2016, and my schedule is flexible with advance notice.

My candidacy is strengthened with 14 years of volunteer leadership experience including Wisconsin Public Health Association, Lovell Johnson Quality of Life Center (St Mark AME), Milwaukee Farmers Market Connection, Diversity Matters Initiative, MPS Vincent High School, UW-Madison MPH Advisory Committee, UW-Milwaukee’s Staff Senate, Alumni Board of Trustees, and Bicycle Advisory Task Force. Plus, I’ve lead start ups (IUAN and schools of Public Health and Freshwater). I hold a deep belief that the wicked problems of our food system can only be improved by justice-focused collaborations across non-profits, for-profits, academic and government sectors. It takes a village.

William (Will) Kort

This is an exciting time for the Milwaukee Food Council, and I seek to serve on the MFC inaugural Board of Directors. I hold graduate degrees in Urban Planning and Public Administration from UW-M; my education has given me the skills and perspective to further the goals of the MFC in a diverse, urban context. I am currently a doctoral candidate at the School of Freshwater Sciences (Policy and Economics). I study the environmental aspects of food waste recycling and urban food production, including policy implications. My research helps me understand food policy, and I am familiar with some of the most effective urban food councils globally. I love to cook, eat, and compost.

I served on the Outpost Natural Foods Cooperative Board of Directors from 2005 to 2015. As a director, VP, and president, I helped develop and implement board development programs and board process policies, as well as bylaws updates – things an inaugural MFC board will have to address in addition to its substantive work. Our board work was nationally recognized. I also served on the board of the Milwaukee Bicycle Collective, a 501(c)(3) organization. I have attended most of the 2015 MFC bi-monthly meetings – it would be an honor to serve the passionate people and organizations that are core to the MFC.

I cannot make the Jan. 21 member meeting, the Apr. 20 board meeting, and (possibly) the Nov. 16 board meeting. In all cases, I will be out of town attending food and agriculture related conferences.

Nya K Taryor Jr

Works for The General Board of Global Ministries for The United Methodist Church helping Summerfield United Methodist Church as a Community Developer with a focus on Health & Welfare.

Graduated from Olivet College in Olivet Michigan with a degree in Sociology in 2005.

Member of the Interchange Food Pantry Board of Directors which is a food pantry that serves elderly and immigrants in the 53202 zip code.

I was interested in the Milwaukee Food Council to find out who and what organizations are actively concern about this issue. Since March of 2015, I have attended the bi-monthly meeting to learn and listen to what is actually happening from different entities of this city working to better its food system.

For the next two years I should be able to attend meetings to help with working this issue and be vocal if needed on things concerning the food system of this city.

One of the main reasons that I am wanting to be a part of the board of directors for this organization is because I work with the poor in a Faith Base organization. At Summerfield United Methodist Church, I coordinate its Saturday meal program that serves the homeless Downtown during a time most can’t be served. Also for me being multi-ethnic as a Liberian and Black American, I am very concern about the issues affecting people with international and ethnic backgrounds.

End of Candidate Profiles

Candidates for 2020 Board of Directors Elections

Candidates for 2019 Board of Directors Elections

Candidates for 2018 Board of Directors Elections

Candidates for 2017 Board of Directors Elections

David D. Berka

Nayla Bezares

Stephanie Calloway

Karin Mary Conway aka “KC” aka “Organic Growth Coach”

Kristen Fledderjohn

Marie Jewell

Dawn Powell

Barbara A. Richards

Erika Villafuerte

Pahoua Xiong

Candidates for 2016 Board of Directors Elections

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Board Candidates

David D. Berka

Nayla Bezares

Stephanie Calloway

Karin Mary Conway aka “KC” aka “Organic Growth Coach”

Kristen Fledderjohn

Marie Jewell

Dawn Powell

Barbara A. Richards

Erika Villafuerte

Pahoua Xiong

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