Program and Partnerships Coordinator
Janel is a passionate professional committed to building strong, resilient, and sustainable communities. With more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Janel has worked across a wide range of community-based programs, including art, education, food systems, and entrepreneurship.
In her role at the Food Finance Institute, Janel collaborates closely with the FFI team, partners, entrepreneurs, and consultants to help food and farm businesses thrive. Janel is continually inspired by the passion, ingenuity, and dedication that food-focused entrepreneurs bring to their work and their communities. She enjoys connecting food and farm businesses with supportive training and resources, as well as working with partner organizations to develop and deliver resources for food and farm businesses across the country.
Prior to joining the Food Finance Institute, Janel enjoyed a professional ballet career spanning more than 15 years. During this time, she worked as a performing artist while also leading community outreach and dance programming for people with disabilities, something she still enjoys doing today. While earning her master’s degree in 2021, Janel worked with the Great Lakes Intertribal Food Coalition to increase access to nutritious and culturally relevant food for tribal elders. This experience sparked her passion for food systems work, which naturally led to her role at the Food Finance Institute.
- Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences Communication and Community and Environmental Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Master of Science in Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
