Breakout Session Speakers

Anna Adams is a Program Analyst for the SNAP Retailer Policy Branch for the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). This branch is responsible for developing the policy framework for retailer participation in SNAP. She has worked on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for three years and her current work portfolio includes retailer training, hot foods disaster waivers, and monitoring and sanctions. She received her Masters of Public Health from Tulane University and her Bachelors of Arts in Anthropology from DePaul University.

Lisa Bates is Assistant Director for Community and Economic Development at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. As an interior designer, with experience in marketing and logistics, she utilizes her distinct background to support and enhance communities in Iowa. Her work includes collaborations with economic development, independent retail, food systems, design, and creative engagement methods.

Nicole Borner joined MCDC in 2021 after six years as a County Commissioner in Musselshell County. Borner was a member of the MCDC Board of Directors prior to joining as a Cooperative Specialist. She has a passion for rural community development and lives in Round-up Montana with her two dogs and runs a local yoga studio.

Deb Brown works in small towns and neighborhoods talking to business owners, residents, officials, volunteers and everyday people. Deb shares practical advice on how anyone can become a catalyst for change and create a brighter future for their own small town.

Brian Butcher has a deep-rooted history in the grocery sector, being a third-generation grocer who began his journey at his family's Piggly Wiggly store in Dadeville, Alabama at the age of twelve. After over two decades of working in various roles within the business, the family decided to sell the store. Despite exploring different sales positions, his passion for the grocery industry called him back. In 2019, he joined Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Company as a Set Team Member and swiftly rose to the position of Sales Manager within 8 months, now serving as the Director of Store Development. Brian is happily married to his wife Shona for more than 23 years and is a father to two sons, Mark (18) and Matthew (10). He currently resides in Dadeville, Alabama.

Lonni joined the Nourish team as Double Up Food Bucks Manager and manages the Double Up Food Bucks program, while also supporting other Healthy Incentive programs. Lonni has worked in many capacities in the food system for over 10 years. She is passionate about and committed to helping facilitate equity and accessibility to healthy food for people in underserved and underrepresented communities. Lonni is the proud mother of one child, and loves travel, food, and art. Connect with Lonni at Lonni@NourishColorado.org!

Jess has been a registered dietitian for over 10 years and has worked in New Mexico, Utah and Colorado across healthcare, state agencies and academia to gain experience in food systems, food security, public health, research and clinical nutrition. She has been with CommonSpirit Health's Mountain division (Utah, Colorado, Kansas) since 2019 and directing food security initiatives since 2021 including Fresh to Flourish produce prescription program and Food Referral and Navigation Services for Health. Jess lives in Durango, CO with her husband, Clay and two-year-old daughter Sego where they love outdoor adventuring, tinkering, gardening and cooking. She also serves as a Nourish Colorado Board member and on the Colorado Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Policy Committee. She participates in numerous coalitions and workgroups at both state and national levels. She holds a B.S. in Food Science & Nutrition from Central Washington University and an M.S. in Nutrition with public health specialization from University of New Mexico.

Elliott Cook is the Director of Real Estate at Retail Strategies' Downtown Strategies division, where he conducts Downtown Visioning Workshops and develops strategic plans for cities across the country, focusing on local real estate assets. He also trains downtown property owners and teaches community leaders to communicate effectively with retailers, brokers, and developers through the Retail Academy program. He has spoken at economic development, national and municipal conferences across the United States and currently serves on the board of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Alabama Chapter.

Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Gerry D’Alessandro was immersed in the world of retail, working at his family’s grocery store in Bessemer. From an early age, he was not just watching the business from the sideline; he was in the thick of it, bagging groceries. The rhythms of daily sales, interactions with customers, and the sense of camaraderie among the staff were not just routines for Gerry – they were lessons. By age 25, his entrepreneurial spirit, honed by years of firsthand experience, propelled him to take a significant step and purchase his family store. Within a decade, Gerry’s vision translated into tangible growth. The store in Bessemer morphed into a chain of 14 Fresh Value supermarkets spread across Alabama. Each new location was not just a business expansion – it was a commitment to providing communities with quality meats, produce, and other essentials at affordable prices. Fresh Value was not just a brand; it was Gerry’s mission.

Courtney has over a decade of experience in land conservation and water management. After receiving an M.S. in International Sustainable Development and Climate Change from Antioch University New England, she helped develop Ratio’s suite of ESG reporting tools. She now focuses on circular economies and operational efficiency within the food retail industry.

Jordan Duncan has been working with Durango Natural Foods for the past four years. He was born in Mesa Arizona, and always spent his time with family on their ranches and farms. Now he has a small cattle ranch with his wife and her family that they tend to part time. Jordan loves to share local and organic foods like veggies, meats, and even good organic snacks, with his community family and friends in Durango.

Dr. Franzen-Castle is a professor and Extension Nutrition Specialist with statewide responsibilities in Extension. She supports educators in planning, marketing, teaching, conducting, and evaluating educational programs and materials related to nutrition, health, and wellness for adults and conducts applied research in nutrition education and nutritional behavioral changes for adults. Dr. Franzen-Castle received her PhD in nutrition with an anthropology minor from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Mari Gallagher is a national expert on food systems, food deserts, hunger, grocery market dynamics, and other areas.

Karen Gardner (she/her) leads advocacy for state and local policies that improve healthy food access through the food retail environment. She has worked in food policy for over a decade, has a MA in Food Studies from New York University and a BA in Economics from Bard College. She is raising two kids and growing vegetables (in good years) in Pittsburgh, PA.

Lyndsay recently joined MCDC after designing and leading a local team of farmers, local food-business owners, and grocery store owners in starting a Food Hub Cooperative. She has a rich background as an entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in food and nutrition. Lyndsay teaches gut health and coaches across the country while living with her husband and very independent 5-year-old daughter Finn.

Paola supports Rural Forward SC, a collaborative effort to promote what is working well and investing in proven strategies to address ongoing challenges across rural South Carolina. Prior to SCORH, she led local and state-level multicultural initiatives in domestic violence, access to health care, and food access. Rural Forward SC threads together the work of the SC Office of Rural Health by celebrating the unique culture of our rural communities and joining our voices to advocate for pro-rural policies.