Liane Sullivan

Project Manager

 

Liane Sullivan is passionate about leveraging her strategic and analytical skills to build a more sustainable food system. She has worked in many areas of food and agriculture and has supported the business strategy of dozens of start-up restaurants and food brands as a freelance consultant over the past few years. Previously, Liane served on the strategy team at a large nonprofit, where her research and strategic thinking were instrumental in developing their 10-year strategic plan. She also led cross-organizational initiatives related to food access, sustainability, diversity, and impact measurement.

Liane also holds expertise in restaurant operations, having worked five years for a national healthy restaurant concept, leading supply chain initiatives and menu analysis. She also built a proprietary prep production system and implemented it across their kitchens to increase food quality and efficiency. Liane has also held a number of hands-on roles in the food system, as an organic vegetable farmer, produce manager, and baker.

Liane holds a Master’s degree in Human Ecology & Sustainability from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy as well as a Bachelor’s in Mathematics and French from Georgetown University.

 

 

 

 Whatcom County Food System Plan

In 2021, the Whatcom County Food System Committee conducted a community food assessment that pointed to key opportunities to build a more robust and resilient regional food system. New Venture Advisors partnered with Whatcom County staff and the Food System Committee to draft a Whatcom County Food System Plan that builds upon these findings. This Plan focuses on five key goals for building a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient food system, and was informed by an inclusive community engagement process. The Food System Plan will provide the county with a policy roadmap that will strengthen the local food system for years to come. (2023)

 Whatcom Local Food Campus

The Whatcom Community Foundation invests in activities and organizations that improve the ability of people to help themselves, increase connections among people, and take cooperative approaches to community issues. WCF is exploring the development of a local food campus on a waterfront property that would become a multi-tenant site, anchored by a collaborative production kitchen benefitting food access, school system, and community organizations. The goal is strengthening Whatcom County’s local food system by promoting health equity, forging tangible strategic connections between food production organizations, and helping farmers connect with institutional markets. NVA developed the business case for this ambitious project and continues to support its development through engagement and operational development. (2023)