Maura Rapkin

Research Associate

 

Maura is a New York City chef, western Pennsylvania farmer, and small business owner guided by principles of community engagement and enlightened hospitality. She is passionate about conceiving solutions for a socially just, equitable, sustainable, and environmentally conscious food system.

She started her career in 2011 as a sustainability-oriented chef in New York. She worked as a chef and manager in hospitality businesses including Michelin-rated restaurants The Modern and Blue Hill at Stone Barns, internationally renowned Breads Bakery, and premier catering company Abigail Kirsch.

After receiving her Masters, Maura founded Napkin LLC, a mission-driven consulting company, when she saw a need emerge for lean, agile, and sustainable business solutions in the food and agriculture sectors. With Napkin, Maura has been able to expand her impact working with stakeholders to build a more equitable, environmentally conscious, and hospitable food and ag industry. Now consulting with New Venture Advisors, Maura applies the knowledge she has gained in the kitchen, on the farm, and advising small business owners as research specialist.

Maura received her MBA and Masters in Food Studies from Chatham University’s sustainability program and a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies and Film Studies from University of Rochester.

 

 

 

 

 Whatcom County Food System Plan

New Venture Advisors supported Whatcom County staff and the Food System Committee in developing the Whatcom County Food System Plan, a 10-year roadmap for a more equitable and resilient food system. NVA led plan development, community engagement, and cross-sector strategy, integrating agriculture, fisheries and marine harvest, processing, distribution, and access to strengthen the regional food economy. (2023)

 Whatcom Local Food Campus

Whatcom Community Foundation continues to partner with New Venture Advisors to guide the development of the Kitchens@Millworks —a bold project uniting health, equity, and market access. Building on previous work with the Farm to Freezer program, the team developed an operational model, financial analysis, and partner strategy. NVA is evaluating expansion of farm-to-institution efforts and their potential relocation to the new campus. Advanced financial models support a multi-operator facility encompassing production, aggregation, retail, and community programs. (2026)