In 2009, Kathy founded New Venture Advisors to bring entrepreneurial momentum to the emerging sustainable food industry. Her work has led to numerous assessments, business launches, speaking engagements and publications focused on the rebuilding of local food systems.

 

Kathy has served as a board member and advisor to numerous organizations including the Good Food Accelerator which offers training and mentorship to emerging food entrepreneurs; Garfield Produce, a hydroponic farm producing microgreens and herbs and providing jobs for those affected by poverty in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood; and the Food Hub Management Program, a certificate program offered by the University of Vermont.

 

Kathy has over 20 years of marketing and strategic leadership experience with Fortune 100 companies. She served on the leadership team for a $5 billion product portfolio at Kraft Foods. She previously managed accounts at Leo Burnett and Young & Rubicam, then the nation’s largest advertising agencies, developing national campaigns for clients such as Coca-Cola, Keebler, Frito-Lay, and Miller Brewing.

 

A graduate from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Kathy earned an MBA with honors and the Dean’s Award for Strategy for achieving the highest academic record in Strategic Management. She also holds a B.S. in economics from Bradley University.