My name is Emily. I'm a communications, B2B marketing, and engagement leader and strategist with more than 15 years of experience in specialty food. An anthropologist by training, I listen with intention and leverage informed intuition to create messaging with impact. I thrive on a diet of culinary exploration, regenerative agriculture, traditional knowledge, regional supply chains, purposeful travel, and dynamic storytelling. 

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My mission is to connect people to this colorful, beautiful, delicious world that we live in — and ultimately to inspire each of us to take responsibility for our role in protecting it.

I have spent the last eight years as Director of Marketing at John Vena Inc., a 100+ year old, family-owned specialty produce wholesale distributor and an institution in the Mid-Atlantic's layered food web. During my time at JVI, I've worked with family leadership to build future-focused strategic planning, marketing, business development, and employee engagement programs for the company. Those efforts have led to a sustainable organic growth rate of 10-15% and a 36% increase in Gallup employee engagement scores from 2018 to 2022.

 

Prior to my time at JVI, I was deeply involved with the regional food scene in my hometown of Philadelphia. I worked in communications and retail for Fair Food Philly, a respected nonprofit establishing connections between local growers and wholesale markets. I was Office Manager for the Vetri Community Partnership, an innovative from-scratch school lunch program founded by restaurateur Marc Vetri, managing their operations and coordinating major fundraising events.

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The food system is far too complex to understand from just a few gigs, so I've also spent time in other fun niches: I helped open a cooperative grocery store as a Board Member at the South Philly Food Co-op. I tried my hand at catering. I apprenticed at Rancho La Venta, a horse farm and winery in Baja Mexico. I was a farmer at Love Apple Farms in Santa Cruz, CA (the partner farm for three-Michelin-star Manresa). I merchandised farmers' markets for Culton Organics and Three Springs Fruit Farm. I worked front-of-house at V Street, Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby's vegan street food concept. I staged in the kitchen at Stateside under chef George Sabatino. I moonlighted as a marketer for Little Baby's Ice Cream. I worked as a cashier at Whole Foods Market (way prior to the Amazon takeover). I barista-ed at Di Bruno's flagship location. I demonstrated for the iconic Brewery Ommegang.

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In my personal life, I'm an avid home cook and gardener constantly seeking ways to be a better informed and more mindful consumer by buying less, reducing waste, and cultivating healthy self-sufficiency.

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I hope to meet you soon!