Staff & Board of Directors
Executive Board Leadership Team
Cheryl Dornberg
Executive Board President
Cheryl is a Chemical Engineer, Culinary Nutrition Expert, and Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach who believes that healthy, resilient communities begin with access to nourishing, locally grown food. Her work is grounded in the belief that food can be a powerful tool for improving health, supporting local economies, and strengthening connections between people and the land.
Cheryl is passionate about supporting local growers and advancing food systems that prioritize nutrient-dense, sustainably produced foods. A longtime home gardener, she values the role that gardening and local agriculture play in improving food access, environmental stewardship, and community well-being. Through her work, she encourages practical, from-scratch cooking and greater awareness of where food comes from and how it is grown.
Cheryl is committed to ensuring that all Northwest Indiana residents have access to healthy, nutritious food and to promoting food education as a pathway to long-term health and equity. She lives in Munster, Indiana, with her husband, Dave, and their two rescue cats, Zinny and Merlin.
Favorite Local Food: Green beans, corn, beets, and cabbage
Favorite Food-Related Documentary: The Biggest Little Farm
Food System Area of Focus: Food Security and Accessibility
Email: Cheryl@nwifoodcouncil.org
Kat Peters
Executive Board Vice-President
Kat Peters currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Institute for Leadership and Service at Valparaiso University. Prior to coming to Valpo, she taught Spanish at Indiana University Northwest, and worked as market manager of the Coffee Creek Farmers Market (2022) and marketing coordinator for The Off-Season Market (2022-2023 season). Kat lived for nearly a decade in Costa Rica, where she took US university students all over the country to visit small farms (and transnationals), indigenous communities, women's groups, conservation projects, and more. In Costa Rica Kat completed a master's degree in education, and a master's in rural development, focusing on agriculture. Kat loves learning more about where food comes from, and supporting local farmers as we all learn to incorporate more local foods into our diets. She keeps an occasional blog on these topics as well as cross-cultural awareness, "sense of place," and calling and purpose at www.newbackwater.com.
Contact: Kat@nwifoodcouncil.org
Janelle White
Executive Board Treasurer
Janelle currently serves as the Director of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at the University of Chicago and as an Associate with Emerging Leadership Consultants (ELC), LLC, where she supports organizations in developing leadership frameworks, inclusive practices, and meaningful community engagement strategies. She works with education professionals, businesses, and nonprofits to explore concepts of justice, inclusion, and equity within their organizational leadership, curriculum development, and community engagement initiatives. Throughout her career, she has been committed to fostering a sense of community and belonging for underrepresented populations, disrupting bias throughout educational systems, and advocating for historically underrepresented communities, and is excited to bring this perspective to the work of the Food Council.
Favorite Local Food: Fresh Peppers and tomatoes are a must!
Favorite Food-Related Documentary: High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America
Food System Area of Focus: Food insecurity, health & nutrition, and food culture
Email: Janelle@nwifoodcouncil.org
Linda Royster
Executive Board Immediate Past President
Linda Royster retired from corporate life recently. Her educational journey started on Chicago's South Side where she graduated from Chicago Vocational High School and the Illinois Institute of Technology. After earning her PhD in Counseling Psychology, she returned to Illinois to work for notable companies such as Arthur Anderson, Trans Union Corporation, and United Parcel Service. Linda is a lifelong gardener, learner, and traveler. She now gardens in Gary, Indiana and travels across the world, spending most of her time exploring Asia.
Favorite Book: Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and its Urgent Lessons for Our Own
Email: Linda@nwifoodcouncil.org
Executive Board
Grace Benninger
Executive Board Member
As an urban planning and geographic information systems professional, Grace has a strong background in analyzing spatial data and trends to aid local governments in decision-making processes and achieve regional goals. Living on a llama farm and being an avid beekeeper, gardener, homebrewer, and cheesemaker, Grace understands the importance of fostering connections between those who grow and consume food as well as building equitable and inclusive food systems in Northwest Indiana.
Favorite Food: Vietnamese Pho
Favorite Food Podcasts: The Bearded Butchers; Business Insider’s So Expensive
Food System Area of Focus: Food Policy and Programming
Email: Grace@nwifoodcouncil.org
Jeremy DeBold
Executive Board Member
Jeremy DeBold is a food access and food equity professional with more than six years of experience advancing strategies to end hunger and strengthen equitable food systems. His work began with the development of feeding programs for at-risk youth, where he built and managed initiatives designed to address gaps in access to nutritious food.
Jeremy currently serves at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, where he provides leadership and support to a portfolio of over 100 community-based organizations across Cook County. In this role, he works closely with nonprofit and community leaders to expand food access, ensure a dignified experience, and advance food justice at a systems level.
He brings a deep commitment to food equity and collaborative leadership to his role on the Board of the Northwest Indiana Food Council and is dedicated to advancing policies and partnerships that promote a more just and resilient regional food system.
Email: Jeremy@nwifoodcouncil.org
Sindel Keister
Executive Board Member
Sindel received her Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition and Master's Degree in Health Education and Promotion from Purdue University. Nutrition education and efforts to reduce food insecurity are a strong passion of hers. Sindel is a strong advocate for health equity and believes in tackling the problems surrounding the social determinants of health. In her free time, she enjoys playing pickleball and stepping on stage as a competitive bodybuilder.
Favorite Local Food: Broccoli Microgreens
Favorite Food-Related Podcast: How It's Made
Food System Area of Focus: Food Insecurity
Email: Sindel@nwifoodcouncil.org
Terry Lewis
Executive Board Member
Terry is a retired pharmacist with 46 years of experience in pharmacy and pharmacy management and is a proud graduate of Purdue University. She is deeply committed to advancing a more equitable food system in Northwest Indiana.
An avid gardener herself, Terry has been involved in a community garden for more than 15 years and is passionate about regenerative agriculture and land stewardship. She volunteers with several local organizations, including Shirley Heinze Land Trust, Gabis Arboretum, and Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana, and has served on multiple boards and management teams.
Terry and her husband live in Valparaiso and have two adult children who share their love of the outdoors.
Terry joined the NWI Food Council because she believes everyone deserves access to healthy local food and looks forward to contributing her experience and shared values to support the Council’s mission.
Favorite Local Food: Tomatoes, Peppers, and Spaghetti Squash
Favorite Food-Related Book: The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
Food System Area of Focus: Food affordability and accessibility; Food as Medicine
Email: Terry@nwifoodcouncil.org
Darrell Marks
Executive Board Member
Darrell, his wife Carolyn, and two daughters, Emma and Lillie, live on the family farm that Darrell’s great-great-grandfather purchased in 1870. He has always had a love for nature and its importance in regenerative agriculture. As a family, they are growing their Hereford cow-calf operation and want to use it to implement a fully regenerative, rotational grazing practice on the farm. He hopes to use his role with the NWI Food Council to help educate people about the importance of knowing where their food comes from and the impact of natural foods on their health.
Favorite Local Food: Sweet corn and Hereford beef grown and raised on his farm...
Favorite Food-Related Podcast: Polyfaces-A World of Many Choices (Regrarians) and Farm Like a Lunatic (Polyface Farm Tour with Joel Salatin)
Food System Area of Focus: Helping people understand how important natural, local food is to their health, and learning where their food comes from, besides the grocery store.
Email: Darrell@nwifoodcouncil.org
America McAlpin
Executive Board Member
America is a former clinical laboratory manager and medical technologist who worked in a variety of medical settings before attending law school. Her legal practice focused on elder law, including administrative law before federal and state agencies, estate planning, and estate administration. From 2017 to 2019, she served as Probate Commissioner for the Lake County, Indiana Superior Court.
America is deeply committed to public service and the work of nonprofits that educate and promote the public good. She was a founding board member and Vice President of Northwest Indiana Adult Guardianship Services, Inc. (NIAGS) and has served on the Professional Advisory Council, as well as a Volunteer Adult Guardian and Trainer, for Franciscan Health’s Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) Program. She has also served on the Board of Trustees of the YWCA of Hammond, Indiana.
Through her own health journey, America developed a strong belief in the connection between nutrition, wellness, and long-term quality of life. She brings this perspective to her work with the NWI Food Council, where she supports efforts to expand access to healthy, nourishing food and advance food systems that promote health and well-being across Northwest Indiana.
America and her husband, Jack, reside in Munster, Indiana.
Favorite Local Food: Any variety of squash, roasted. Sushi.
Favorite Food-Related Book: The Farm Bill: A Citizen’s Guide.
Food System Area of Focus: Food Accessibility and Policy.
Email: America@nwifoodcouncil.org
Alicia Pellegrino
Executive Board Member
Alicia has a passion for environmental stewardship and community engagement. She has been involved through her professional and community leadership roles in developing and managing community-based programs, facilitating community engagement, and coordinating partners to achieve successful projects. In her current role at Shirley Heinze Land Trust, Alicia works alongside a diverse set of partners in both rural and urban communities to increase access to resources and further conservation initiatives. Alicia enjoys hiking the trails of northwest Indiana and trying new recipes and restaurants with her husband.
Favorite food: Homemade pasta with sauce made of tomatoes from the garden
Favorite food book: To Boldly Grow
Food systems focus: Farmland Preservation and Land Access, Conservation Practices
Email: Alicia@nwifoodcouncil.org
Michael Pupillo
Executive Board Member
Michael is a Porter County native and is passionate about exploring and sharing local farmers' stories. He has experience in education, health care, and agriculture, and is the field operations manager with Indiana Farm Bureau Inc for Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Starke, and St Joseph counties. In this role, he gets to work with farmers from the lakeshore region and advocate for agriculture. Outside of work hours, Michael loves being in his garden, cooking, spending time with his sons, or reading.
Favorite Local Food: Indiana Mint and Stoner’s Sweet Corn
Favorite Food-Related Blog: Chef John of Food Wishes inspired my interest in food and the value of local ingredients.
Food System Area of Focus: Production, logistics, and marketing
Email: MichaelP@nwifoodcouncil.org
Emily Rogowski
Executive Board Member
Emily was born and raised in The Region and has spent her career supporting individuals and organizations through thoughtful program and administrative work. She is passionate about food justice, believing that food is life and that small everyday choices can help people live healthier, more wholesome lives. As a mother of two, she has supported her children through their mental, physical, medical, and emotional needs, which has deepened her understanding of the critical role food, both nutrition and accessibility, plays in overall health. In her personal life, she enjoys gardening and is creating a food forest in her own yard, bringing her values of sustainability and nourishment to life at home.
In her current role as a Career Advisor with WorkOne, she helps individuals and programs thrive through careful planning, data tracking, and organizational support. She is honored to contribute her skills to NWI Food Council, supporting its mission to create positive change in the community.
Favorite Local Food: Scratch Pasta, Hummus, or Pizza.. I will stop here.
Favorite Food-Related Podcast: MIGardener
Food System Area of Focus: Local Food Security and Access. Food Waste.
Email: EmilyR@nwifoodcouncil.org
Lance Ryskamp
Lance has served as the President/CEO of the Highland Griffith Chamber of Commerce since July 2022. In this role, he serves as an advocate for shopping local and will bring this advocacy of local sourcing to his service on the Food Council.
Lance is a graduate of Valparaiso University and the Valparaiso University School of Law. He is a former local elected official, having served as a Highland Town Councilman and a Lake County Councilman, as well as serving in various appointed and staff positions in local government. Lance is also a former practicing attorney with a background in land use, lobbying, and zoning.
Lance and his wife, Suzanne, a 40-year public school teacher, have participated multiple times in the NWI Food Council’s Farm Club program, and have recommended the program and local food sourcing to others. Lance is excited to bring his unique career and skillset spanning public and nonprofit service, the law, economic development, and community leadership to the Food Council.
Lance and Suzanne live in Highland, in Lake County, and he is the proud stepdad to three children and two grandchildren.
Favorite Local Food: Pizza
Favorite Food-Related Documentary: Parts Unknown by Anthony Bourdain
Food System Area of Focus: Local Food Sourcing and Accessibility/ Public Policy
Email: Lance@nwifoodcouncil.org
Katie Sannito
Executive Board Member
Katie has been preparing delicious gourmet meals for clients and their guests at private in-home gatherings since 2012. Whether a formal dinner party, lively cocktail party, or afternoon brunch, The Gourmet Goddess makes entertaining effortless and elegant. Creating memorable moments around the dinner table is what drives her passion for cooking good food and sharing that experience with others.
If you know Katie and have had her food, you know that fresh local ingredients, perfect preparation, and attention to detail are essential elements to everything she does. You can see and taste the difference when you work with her. Katie is no stranger to the NWI Food Council, Farm Club, and Region Roots, as sourcing local ingredients from the farmer and producer partners is very important to her for both her family and clients' events. She hopes to increase the awareness of the outstanding local food here in Northwest Indiana by having clients taste the difference in the food she prepares and encouraging community participation in the Farm Club program.
Favorite Local Food: Grounded Earth Farm’s Tomatoes.
Favorite Food-Related Book, Movie, Documentary, Podcast: Book - Save me the Plums - Ruth Reichl, Movie - Chef, Documentary - Chef's Table, Podcast - Chef's Table Talks and Radio Cherry Bomb
Food System Area of Focus: Farm to Table
Email: Katie@nwifoodcouncil.org
Joe Skibbie
Executive Board Member
Joe Skibbie is founder of JRS Mar/Com and Chief Plowman at Beats, Beds & Browns. Joe's hope is to share the knowledge, joy and wellness that comes from growing his own food via the #100kin10yrs campaign. This ambitious movement aims to connect 100,000 people with agriculture in the next decade. It's not just a number, but a promise to cultivate a community that understands, appreciates and advocates for our food systems. Connecting individuals with Free Seed Kits to connect them with their homestead roots. Whether growing from a cup on the counter or in acres of open fields, growing your own food is a right worth fighting for. Joe hopes to add his gifts to the already impressive efforts of the NWI Food Council.
Favorite Local Food: Anything that is grown in my garden.
Favorite Food-Related Documentary: The Biggest Little Farm
Food System Area of Focus: Urban Gardening, food storing, and seed saving
Email: Joseph@nwifoodcouncil.org
Staff Members
Anne Massie
Co-Executive Director
Anne has a tenacious appetite for all things local food. From owning and operating her own diversified vegetable farm to leading significant non-profit work on food insecurity and farm viability, Anne has fully committed herself to changing our local food system as we know it.
Favorite food: Cabbage
Favorite food movie: Kiss the Ground
Food systems focus: Policy
Email: info@nwifoodcouncil.org
Dr. Virginia Pleasant
Co-Executive Director
Virginia loves food systems work so much, she earned her PhD studying it from Purdue University. From urban homesteading with her husband and 3 young children, to her role as Interim Director of Food Systems Initiatives at Purdue Northwest, Virginia has committed herself to dozens of initiatives for the council, the community and across the state. She works to weave networks along the food value chain- from farmers, to eaters, and all points in between to build capacity, collaboration, and community resilience.
Favorite food: Tomatoes fresh off the vine
Favorite food book: Eating the Landscape: American Indian Stories of Food, Identity, and Resilience
Food systems focus: holistic systems, food justice
Email: virginia@nwifoodcouncil.org
Becca Tuholski, MPH
Farm to Food Access Manager
Becca Tuholski has an undeniable passion for local food systems, resilient community building, and community education. From her time as an Agricultural Science Teacher at LaPorte High School, to her ongoing career as a beginning farmer alongside her husband on their farm (Tuholski Produce), to her current role as the Farm to Food Access Coordinator with the NWI Food Council—Becca is dedicated to strengthening our food system from the ground up.
Favorite food: Homemade pizza with farm veggies!
Favorite food book: Eat & Flourish: How Food Supports Emotional Well-Being by Mary Beth Albright
Food systems focus: Food Justice, Food Security, Food is Medicine
Email: becca@nwifoodcouncil.org
Veronica Jalomo
Farm to School Coordinator
Having grown up as a child migrant farm worker, Veronica has a special connection to and understanding of the importance of equity in a food system that so often overlooks both the farmers and the food insecure. As a food system value chain professional, she currently leads farm-to-school initiatives in the northwest region of Indiana in her role as Farm to School Coordinator for the NWI Food Council. She also leads efforts with the new Lake Michigan Food System Innovation Hub, a multi-state collaboration with Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Veronica has cultivated a career in sustainable food systems serving vulnerable communities and underserved populations. Through her previous role as Community Wellness Coordinator and Local Foods & Community Garden Specialist with Purdue Extension Nutrition Education Program, she had the unique opportunity to build local coalitions to enact equitable initiatives impacting two regions of the state of Indiana. Through the years she has learned how to traverse complex communities to cultivate shared visions and execute successful initiatives. She has established a solid record of impact. She has experience in the development and evaluation of policy, systems, and environmental strategies—including food system policy development. She has been instrumental in helping create community and urban gardening networks in both Lafayette and East Chicago, Indiana; as well as introducing and growing the Great Lakes Apple Crunch in secondary schools and after-school programs. With her background in addressing food access and food systems, she supports and guides community agencies, schools, and farmers in the creation of a more sustainable and equitable food system.
In addition to her current role, Veronica serves on the Indiana AgrAbility Advisory Team, and Indiana Grown for Schools Network Steering Committee, and is a member of the Indiana Value Chain Network.
Favorite food: Arroz con pollo (chicken and rice)
Favorite food book: Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) by Laura Esquivel
Food systems focus: Food access and security, food chain workers rights and well-being
Relevant links: Purdue Extension Nutrition Education Program, Facebook
Email: veronica@nwifoodcouncil.org
Rebecca Koetz
Agriculture Education Specialist
Rebecca has long had a passion for ecological work, earning her Master’s in Forestry and Natural Sciences from Purdue University and now creating a litany of new urban farm programming in her role as Lake County Purdue Extension’s Urban Agriculture Educator. You will often find Rebecca holding her newborn daughter while leading farm tours, teaching elementary students how to garden and running a wide variety of urban farming workshops and projects.
Favorite food: Mushroom saag
Favorite food podcast: Earth Eats
Food systems focus: Supporting local farmers
Email: BeccaK@nwifoodcouncil.org
Allyssa McAley
Farm Club Coordinator
My love for food started at a very young age. I began working in the restaurant industry and attending culinary classes in high school. After moving to Chicago and experiencing shopping at farmer's markets I learned just how diverse real food actually is. I now live on a homestead of my own growing and preserving a large portion of my family's food and raising ducks and chickens for eggs. My passion now is cooking with seasonal whole foods either grown by myself or locally sourced,
Favorite food: Anything Asian or Indian inspired
Favorite food book: Ball Book of Canning and Preserving.
Food system focus: Food security and supporting local farmers
Email: allyssa@nwifoodcouncil.org
Alyssa Meehan
Marketing and Operations Associate
Alyssa is the first generation of her family that is not a farm laborer. She has a huge appreciation of where our food comes from and how much work goes into getting it onto our tables. She is a lifetime lover of local food and has a true appreciation for food as medicine. Alyssa took on the monumental task of managing Accounts Payables and Receivables for Region Roots and the NWIFC during a major growth period but has transitioned into a marketing and communications role. As a serial volunteer, Alyssa has been helping companies and organizations with their social media marketing since before social media marketing existed. She considers herself a life learner and chaos coordinator. When not working you will find her sitting near a soccer field, basketball court, track or at a Scouts meeting.
Favorite food: Cheesecake
Favorite food movie: Julie and Julia
Food system focus: Food is Medicine, Food Insecurity and supporting local farmers
Email: alyssa@nwifoodcouncil.org
Sherri Wilson
Warehouse and Delivery Associate
Sherri joined the council in the height of high season during Local Food for Schools distributions. She has taken a lead role as a delivery driver and fulfillment specialist. Sherri loves supporting programs that get fresh food out to kids and families. She has her CDL, extensive training on warehouse equipment and is studying Logistics at Valparaiso University.
Email: warehouse@nwifoodcouncil.org
Sarah Dillon
Farm to Food Access Program Associate
My love of food began as a child, exploring the shelves of my great-grandmother's pantry, filled with rows of freshly preserved foods. Fast forward 20+ years, and I found myself in Portland, OR, attending every Saturday market and visiting u-pick farms. After being laid off from my corporate job as a logistics manager, I moved east to intern at a local farm and learn the ropes of farming. Twelve years later, my passion for growing food remains strong, though my focus has shifted to ensuring nourishing food reaches those in need. Working as an associate for the FarmHer to Mama program has deepened this passion and given me a greater appreciation for the incredible produce grown right here in our little pocket of the Midwest.
Email: sarah@nwifoodcouncil.org
Ashley Barry
Wholesale Partnerships Coordinator
Ashley is passionate about protecting Earth’s ecosystems, producing food sustainably, and creating a just food system for all involved. Her love for ecology and agriculture was cultivated at Northern Illinois University where she earned a B.S. in Environmental Science and a certification in Sustainable Food Systems. She started her career in the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a Conservation Planner where she provided support to farmers seeking funding for on-farm conservation projects, and she has now joined the NWI Food Council team as the Wholesale Partnerships Coordinator. Ashley is dedicated to advocating for each farmer’s unique needs and developing productive partnerships between buyers, sellers, and community institutions.
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite food TV show: Chef’s Table
Food system focus: Food Justice & Supporting Local Farmers
Email: ashley@nwifoodcouncil.org
Jennifer Corral, MS, RDN, LDN
Farmers Market Coordinator
Jennifer is a registered dietitian who believes that our backgrounds, cultural foods, and lived experiences should be celebrated at the table. With a foundation in non-diet, weight-inclusive care through her previous work in nutrition counseling, she has supported clients in reconnecting with their whole selves by challenging societal norms around food, nutrition and body image. Jennifer is deeply passionate about community work and advancing food accessibility. She honors each person’s individual definition of health and access to it.
Favorite food: Puerco en salsa verde (pork in green sauce)
Favorite food TV podcast: The Maintenance Phase
Food system focus: Nutrition Education, Cultural Practices, Consumer Preferences (Choice, Taste and Affordability)
Email: jennifer@nwifoodcouncil.org
Bonnie Dawdy
Grants Administrator
Bonnie is grateful for the opportunity to join the NWI Food Council as the Grants Administrator. She comes with over 25+ years experience in grants and operations management within an entrepreneurial ecosystem helping startups, farmers, food businesses connect and grow. Her passion is working towards providing access for all to local healthy food, especially within schools, hospitals, senior living centers and our own households. Her passion continues with providing support, both educational and financial, to farmers, producers, gardeners, seed keepers and land stewards so that they can continue to nurture their land to support tribes, families, neighbors and communities. She enJOYs spending time with her family, Otis their Bernese Mountain Dog, their cat Jazzpurr and friends (old & new). She loves the opportunity to continue to learn, engage with various sentient beings, listen to analog/vinyl records (mostly Jazz) and walk this path with her husband, comforter, guide and friend, Patrick.
Favorite food: Garden fresh tomatoes
Favorite food book: "Rebuilding the Foodshed", Philip Ackerman-Leist
Food system focus: Breaking down barriers to access to local health farm food; having a holistic and respectful relationship with the earth
Email: bonnie@nwifoodcouncil.org
Molly McCarthy
Operations Associate
With six years of account management experience in the Chicago advertising industry, Molly brings a love of organization, collaboration, and problem-solving to her role as the Operations Associate. Outside of work, you can find her at a farmers market, trying to improve her sourdough loaves, or tending to far too many houseplants (and a small balcony garden in the warmer months!). Being passionate about supporting the local economy and living more sustainably, Molly looks forward to being immersed in continued learning about our regional food system and supporting the growth of the organization.
Favorite food: Anything Sourdough
Favorite food media: "Jacques Pépin Cooking at Home
Food system focus: Community Building & Supporting Local Farmers
Email: molly@nwifoodcouncil.org
Advisory Board Members
Nupur Aurora
Advisory Board Member
Nupur was instrumental in the exponential growth of the Food Bank of NW Indiana, transforming the small non-profit into a highly functioning organization. She has an intense passion for feeding the community and addressing some of the toughest challenges of systemic poverty especially now in her role as Director of Finance & Operations at Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County.
Gabrielle Biciunas
Advisory Board Member
Gabrielle has been shaping the way our communities develop for the better for over several years as the Long Range Planner for the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission and now as Business Development Manager for Commonwealth Engineers. She’s always recognized food and farming as some of the most important pieces of successful, long range community planning built on equity and resilience.
Matthew Wells
Advisory Board Member
As the Director of External Engagement and Partnerships for Purdue University NW, Matt has built his career on weaving together relationships and projects that build capacity and accelerate progress. He has a clear vision to build on burgeoning resources of Northern Indiana to create a farm-to-table ecosystem that benefits students and attracts families to the region for generations to come.
Favorite food: Doro Wat
Favorite food book: Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Food systems focus: Economic development
Lucero Martinez-Donato
Advisory Board Member
Lucero is a seasoned culinary professional that has moved back to her birthplace in Gary, Indiana from Chicago. She’s closely worked with non-profit organizations to promote local small businesses. Lucero has always been an advocate for good food and feeding our kids a colorful plate. The agriculture oligopoly has made her focus on community sustainability, shop local, support the environment to establish a strong economy that services its people.
Favorite food: Spicy coconut curry anything and chiles rellenos
Favorite food books: The Omnivore's Dilemma and Salt Fat Acid Heat
Food systems focus: A small community of people that aim for a sustainable environment, serving its community for future generations.
Relevant link: LinkedIn
Email: Lucero@nwifoodcouncil.org