BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Travis Lesser
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John Peterson
John Peterson is the Director of Corporate Engagement at Pennsylvania State University, where he builds and strengthens strategic relationships with corporate partners to advance research, innovation, and talent development across the university. He also coordinates and leads a college-wide strategy for corporate engagement encompassing research, recruitment, and philanthropy.
Rooted in a family of small business owners—including his parents' greenhouse—John has long understood the importance of entrepreneurship and community impact. He continues this commitment by serving on a variety of professional and community boards focused on economic development in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. John has been recognized as a Pennsylvania Business Central Top 100 and Foremost Under 40 honoree. He is also the founder of Sunset Lake Ventures, a consulting firm dedicated to supporting early-stage companies. |
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Amy Moore
Amy is an assistant professor of Nutritional Sciences with an Extension appointment at Penn State. As a registered dietitian, she is passionate about connecting individuals and communities with nutritious, locally sourced foods to promote health, well-being, and community resilience. Rooted in the foodways of rural Appalachia, where she was raised, Amy brings a deep appreciation for regional traditions and food systems. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, hiking, and exploring all that the region has to offer.
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Jennifer KowalkowskiJennifer is an Assistant Professor in the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing at Penn State University. A Wisconsin native, she was the fourth generation in her family to live and work on a small family dairy farm. With the sale of the farm, she found her way into nursing and public health, completing a B.S., M.S. in nursing, as well as an M.P.H. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Building on prior work in rural health, she went on to complete a Ph.D. in nursing during which time she focused on occupational stress and health among farmers. Her experiences as a Registered Nurse and deep roots in agriculture fuel her current work around farmer health and well-being - improving access to health supporting services and resources for farmers and farm families in the communities where they live. She lives in Bellefonte, PA with her canine companion, Willie.
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Katrina WeaklandKatrina Weakland is a freelance consultant. She founded Common Origin, LLC, in 2025, to continue her fieldwork in local food economies and agroecology in the Pennsylvania Rust Belt Region. She received her Bachelor's degree in Geography from the College of Earth and Mineral Science at Penn State in 2015. Currently, Katrina is consulting with the Keystone Development Center (KDC) as a liaison for Farm and Food Business. She is presently enrolled in KDC’s Co-op Academy. She joined Appalachia Food Works as the newest board member in August 2025
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Board Positions AvailableInterested in becoming a board member for Appalachian Food Works? Fill out our volunteer sign-up form, and we will contact you as positions come available!
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