As Research and Outreach Coordinator, Colleen supports stakeholder engagement and coalition-building to advance a more resilient food and agriculture system.

Colleen’s passion for agriculture was sparked at a young age while working on her family’s farm in Central Nebraska. She further cultivated this commitment through hands-on experience on various farming operations across the country, including an internship at the Rodale Institute. There, she contributed to their farm-to-hospital program, promoting a holistic approach to healthcare.

Colleen holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology, along with a secondary major in global food systems leadership, from Kansas State University. Her interdisciplinary education has helped her develop a systems-thinking approach to address real-world problems and drive meaningful change.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time outdoors.