She/Her

As the Feeding Futures Program Manager, Wenona Woolfolk oversees program implementation and community building of Pilot Light’s Feeding Futures Fellowship and the Food Integrated Education Coalition. She implements the Feeding Futures Fellowship and makes sure we are connecting all partners and teachers in the FIEA coalition with one another, to foster Agriculture and Food Education place-based learning across IL.

Wenona has been in the field of education for 23 years. She has taught on the college level, middle school and elementary school levels as well. Majority of her tenure as an educator has been in dual roles as both a teacher and a teacher leader. Wenona was also a part of the groundwork of the Illinois Model Math Curriculum focus creators for LiveBinders. She has a STEM certification from Washington University via STEMpact and has created, managed and coordinated STEM programming and many other programs for students that she serves in East St. Louis, IL. Wenona has mentored and led many educators in her journey of service. Wenona has served her community in many capacities ranging from working as committee precinct councilwoman to being a community activist.

A graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Wenona earned her bachelorette degree in Education with a concentration in Math Education. She earned her Masters of Education Curriculum and Instruction degree from Concordia University.

Favorite Food Education Standard: 

I thought about this for probably what was a little too long, in part because they all have affected me in some way. If I had to choose, I would have to choose Standard 2 – Foods have sources and origins. This standard provokes feeling and makes me think about all that I do not know regarding historical food systems and how they have come to be: my curiosity is evoked. My family has Native American origins, as well as African and so much of it lost, but I still feel it at times. It makes me want to know about my family’s food story and how it relates to my current personal one. Being an educator, I connect everything to science, math, art, and social sciences because it benefits those that I service daily. This standard introduces students to the big picture of food, but in a segmented way.

A favorite food memory… 

My family would come together 1 week before Thanksgiving to celebrate my great-grandparents wedding anniversary. My great-grand parents had 10 children, so there would be a house full of people. This celebration was epic every year, and the entire family would be there. We would work for 2 days straight on preparing meals as a family. Everyone would chip in and do something, even the children. There would be dancing, singing, skits, and so much love and food to go around. We had everything from cornbread dressing to my uncle Mike’s famous sweet potato pies; we only had his pie once a year, so we all could not wait to get a slice. The food was always fresh, because we grew a lot of it and what we did not grow, we got from local farms and Farmer’s Markets. I yearn today for those moments and that food.

She/Her

As Research & Evaluation Consultant for Pilot Light, Carolyn Sutter provides support to the Pilot Light team around research projects as well as yearly evaluation efforts of the Pilot Light programs. This includes helping to analyze Pilot Light’s teacher and student questionnaires used in the Fellowship program, collaborating on grant applications, and developing journal articles to share Pilot Light’s approach and success.

Carolyn is passionate about using person-centered research methods to gather data that can support students and teachers as they engage with Pilot Light and food education. In her professional life, Carolyn is a researcher with an interest in child and family health and nutrition. She received her bachelors from the University of California, San Diego and her masters and PhD from the University of California, Davis. Since then, she has worked at multiple universities and organizations as a Research Scientist. Currently she works at a private healthcare consultancy.

Favorite Food Education Standard: FES #1 – Food Connects Us to Each Other: 

FES#1 – Food connects us to each other resonates with me because it seems that food is always such a great way to meet new people but also to reconnect with friends and loved ones. My absolute favorite thing is to try new foods with friends! In the classroom, Food Education provides such a cool way for students to connect with and learn about each other.

A favorite food memory or recipe:

Some of my favorite memories growing up were helping my mom to make our family-favorite cheesecake that made an appearance at all family events. Here’s the recipe:

Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
5 tbl. melted butter

Filling:
2 (8 oz.) packages of cream cheese (room temp.)
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Topping:
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. sugar

Oven @ 375.
Mix crust ingredients until well blended. Press into a 9″ spring form pan (about 1/3 up sides).
Beat filling ingredients until satiny.
Pour into crust and bake about 20 minutes.
Remove from oven & cool for 15 minutes.
Turn up oven to 475.
Blend topping ingredients and gently pour over cooled cheesecake. Return to oven and bake for 10 minutes.
Bring cake to room temperature (completely). Cover with foil and chill for 10-12 hours.

As Pilot Light’s Development Marketing Manager, Lily Stark-Duzenman helps to lead internal communications, external marketing and social media, and assists with development administration.

A DePaul University graduate, Lily has fulfilled a variety of roles in the hospitality industry for the last 10 years in restaurants, grocery stores, and movie theaters. These service industry experiences sparked an interest in food and how the food system impacts our individual lives, communities, and futures. Lily believes that both food system workers and educators are some of the most important – and often most devalued – members of our society, and is honored to be able to serve these communities through their work at Pilot Light. 

Favorite Food Education Standard: FES #6 – We can make informed food choices.

It’s hard to choose just one favorite Standard! #6 is a standout to me because I believe it empowers the learner to think about what an “informed” choice looks like to them. Every person is different, every body is different, and every day is different – we get to decide for ourselves what needs and wants our choices fulfill everyday. I think understanding our choices and why we make them is key to developing our relationships not just with food, but with ourselves and communities as well. 

A favorite food memory or recipe:

When I was around 11 or 12 I saved up for months to buy a camcorder – it recorded on tiny DV tapes and I thought I was going to become the next Iron Chef producer/director. One day, I convinced my dad to star in our own cooking show – I filmed him going to the grocery store shopping for ingredients, and we made two different versions of homemade mac and cheese to demonstrate different techniques. My younger sibling was our “taste tester.” The mac of course was delicious, and the experience of filming, editing, and cooking together made it a memory I can never forget! 

As Agriculture Specialist for Pilot Light, Khalifa “Rancher K” Shareef oversees agriculture integration and hands-on experiential learning opportunities for the Feeding Futures and Food Education Fellowship cohorts. They are passionate about connecting youth to the origins of their food and helping them understand how agriculture provides essential resources like food, fiber, and shelter. With over 11 years of farming experience and as a micro-ranch owner, Rancher K brings deep practical knowledge to their work. Their unique blend of creative, technical, and agricultural expertise supports their mission to cultivate food literacy and inspire the next generation of land stewards.

Khalifa is a graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Communications and currently serves as a Youth Empowering Agriculture STEM Coordinator with Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.

Favorite Food Education Standard: FES #3 – Food and the environment are interconnected. 

Food Education Standard 3 resonates most with me. Food and the environment are deeply interconnected. Every bite we take is a reflection of the land, water, and ecosystems that support our food systems. As a farmer and educator, I’ve seen firsthand how sustainable agricultural practices not only nourish communities but also protect the soil, conserve water, and support biodiversity. Teaching youth about this connection helps them understand that caring for the environment is essential to ensuring access to healthy, culturally relevant food for generations to come. When we honor the land, we honor the food and the people who grow it. We must farm the earth not harm the earth!

A favorite food memory or recipe:

One of my favorite food memories is making homemade biscuits with my grandfather, who shared the recipe he used while serving in World War II. It was more than just cooking—it was a moment of connection, history, and love. I remember the way he measured flour with care, the stories he told while the dough came together, and the pride he took in passing down something that had nourished him and his fellow soldiers. That experience shaped my understanding of food as a bridge between generations and cultures, and it continues to inspire my work in agriculture education today.

She/Her

As Director of Curriculum and Educational Content, Regina Santiago develops and maintains the resources housed in the Food Education Center. Regina works to ensure that educators have access to Food Education through curricula and resources that are culturally affirming, developmentally appropriate, and academically aligned.

Regina first heard about Pilot Light in 2020 and immediately felt a strong connection to their mission. She was a Food Education Fellow for the 2021-2022 school year, and has stayed connected to Pilot Light ever since. Regina is passionate about the transformative power of Food Education. She thinks of food as a highly engaging lens for students. Through Food Ed, students can explore a multitude of topics – not just in terms of academic subjects like math and literacy, but also broader ideas of identity, community, environmental stewardship, and social justice.

Regina is a proud immigrant and third culture kid who lived in the Philippines and Indonesia before coming to the United States. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Macalester College and Master of Arts in Teaching from Hamline University. She also holds a Minnesota teacher licensure for Pre-K to 8th grade. Prior to her work at Pilot Light, Regina was an elementary educator for twelve years. She also writes essays and picture books. Regina is thrilled to combine her passions for food, curriculum design, and creative writing in her role as Curricula Manager!

Favorite Food Education Standard: FES #7: We can advocate for food choices and changes that impact ourselves, our communities, and our world.

To me, FES 7 is the most empowering and hopeful standard. It beautifully blends all the other standards and inspires us all to work for a better world. When I was teaching, I took every opportunity to help my students see that they had power and agency, and that the world needed them to use their voices. I believe with all my heart that Food Education is one of the most powerful ways we can build communities that are healthier in every sense of the word.

A favorite food memory or recipe:

Lugaw is the Filipino version of congee. Whenever I make it, it calls up a montage of memories. My mom making it for me whenever I was sick growing up, eating it at food courts with my dad, to making it in the college dorms during my first winter in Minnesota. It’s a very humble and simple dish that will forever be a source of comfort and connection to home for me.

She/Her

As the Education Policy Advisor, Taylor oversees policy work on the local, state and federal levels. She also works on new initiatives and supports strategy on the programming team. Taylor is passionate about finding ways to put theory into practice that best serve teachers and students and make classroom-to-community connections.

After graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in Policy Studies, she joined New York City Teaching Fellows and learned with the best while teaching special education at a public school in East Harlem. She also earned a Masters’ Degree in Special and General Education Curriculum from Hunter College. Five years later, she moved back to the Chicago area and continued teaching 5th grade. For the past seven years, Taylor worked as an instructional coach, supporting teachers and district administration through a variety of initiatives. A curious thinker and lifelong tinkerer, Taylor loves getting to learn with Pilot Light educators and their classrooms from across the country.

Favorite Food Education Standard: FES #7: We can advocate for food choices and changes that impact ourselves, our communities, and our world.

 In the classroom, one of my favorite units to teach was research-based argument essay. Students got to choose a topic they were passionate about, form ideas, research, revise their thinking and present an argument. They got to question, learn and problem-solve. The biggest question we would ask one another throughout this process was SO WHAT. We know more now, so what are we going to do about it. I love FES 7 because it is the SO WHAT standard. It helps all learners combine their knowledge with their voice to tell a story that makes an impact.

A favorite food memory or recipe:

Growing up, my family and I were frequent customers at a diner in our town. No matter the time of day, I always ordered the grilled cheese deluxe with extra pickles on the side. Before I left for college out of state, I visited the restaurant and throughout our meal every server took turns bringing me a plate of extra pickles. Whenever I was home, I was greeted with a loud, GRILLED CHEESE DELUXE IS BACK, when I walked in the door and by the time I sat down, a plate of pickles was waiting for me. This summer, I grew my own cucumbers for the first time and my family has been tinkering to find the perfect pickle recipe. To me pickles are not only delicious but they represent the power of food to connect people.

She/Her

As their HR Specialist, Dana provides the Pilot Light team with professional HR operational support handling tasks such as payroll management, HR administrative work, developing and maintaining workplace policies, and supporting a positive, inclusive, and engaging organizational culture.

Dana is an experienced HR professional with over 20 years in human resources, learning & development, and organizational effectiveness. She feels privileged to bring this expertise to the Pilot Light organization, especially since she’s been a fan and supporter for the past several years. Previously, Dana worked as a Training Manager at CB2 and a Senior HR Trainer at American Girl, where she developed HR-related training programs, managed onboarding and performance processes, and supported multiple leadership development initiatives.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.F.A. from Wright State University and is a Certified Professional with SHRM—the Society for Human Resource Management—along with holding additional certifications as a Myers-Briggs practitioner and a Situational Leadership facilitator.

For the past eight years, Dana has served on the board of directors for Chicago Market, a start-up food co-op community members are working to build in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. She is passionate about access to healthy food (however you define that for yourself) and eating F.L.O.S.S. foods (fresh, local, organic, seasonal, and sustainable) whenever possible.

She currently lives in Albany Park with her husband of 30 years, Anthony. Outside of work, you’ll likely find her enjoying the breezes off the lakeshore near Foster Beach, exploring titles in one of her favorite local bookshops (probably a cookbook), or shopping for her next must-have kitchen gadget, cheese board, or table linen.

Dana has never met a donut she didn’t like.

Favorite Food Education Standard: FES #1 – Food connects us to each other. 

This is my favorite FES because it speaks to something truly universal…no matter our backgrounds, cultures, or personal experiences, food is a common thread that unites us all. Sharing a meal or simply learning about someone else’s food traditions or preferences can build understanding, strengthen relationships, and create a sense of belonging. In a world that can often feel divided, food has the unique ability to foster connection, empathy, and community. And who doesn’t love that?

A favorite food memory or recipe:

Growing up, every summer my dad planted a garden in a bed we had in the backyard. He grew tomatoes and cucumbers, along with other vegetables he enjoyed, and while I was a pretty picky eater as a child claiming to “absolutely hate vegetables”, I always loved the salads we had throughout the summer. Smelling the rich soil, seeing the tomatoes ripening to a deep red on the vine with their unmistakable tomato vine scent, feeling the prickly little burrs of the cucumbers as they grew along the trellis…these are some of the food memories I hold in my heart. Now, I think about my dad whenever I go pick cherry tomatoes off the plants in my own backyard each summer.

She/Her

Tamieka Hardy oversees Pilot Light’s Fellowship Alumni Network (FAN). She is an experienced food scientist and research chef with strong food safety and technology expertise.

Tamieka is also a food industry writer, with degrees in Culinary Arts, Culinology and Food Sciences and Technology. She is a champion for educating people about food systems and sources so they can make informed decisions about how food, nutrition, and accessibility fuels health and wellbeing.

Favorite Food Education Standard: FES #6 – We can make informed food choices. 

This standard resonates because it asks the questions of “why” people make decisions around food they do and “how” it impacts them personally. The practical applications associated with this standard build upon the first six standards. And those who are learning about food, the food system, and personal nutrition apply the knowledge to exercise their own autonomy and take charge of their wellbeing as it relates to decisions and relationships with food.

A favorite food memory or recipe:

There are so many amazing food memories to share, but one of my favorites is from childhood. As a kid, I would pick fresh strawberries in our backyard garden, then my mom and I would make strawberry-banana jam.

She/Her

As Pilot Light’s Program Specialist, Megan Gottlieb helps to oversee the Classroom to Cafeteria program partnership with the NYC Department of Education, working with a yearly cohort of teachers to bring Food Education to life in their classrooms! She develops materials, spearheads professional development opportunities, and most importantly works one-on-one to support incredible teachers. Megan first learned about Pilot Light by participating as a Food Education Fellow for the 2021-2022 school year and has stayed connected to Pilot Light ever since. She is passionate about Food Education as a pathway to connection and firmly believes in the power of children to advocate for change.

Megan grew up in Seattle, and currently lives in northern New Jersey. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Trinity College (Hartford, CT). After graduating from college, Megan was a Teach for America corps member in Chicago. Additionally, she earned her Master of Education with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University in Chicago. She then moved to NYC and has since taught in several independent schools. Megan has been a classroom teacher for 24 years, teaching science, sustainability, and health for ages 3-12, and is honored to contribute to Pilot Light’s mission.

Favorite Food Education Standard: FES #1 – Food connects us to each other. 

In my work with kids and with teachers, food brings people together. Food allows us to see joy and humanity in each other; food allows us to see commonalities and connections we wouldn’t see otherwise. Everyone has favorite foods, foods they grew up eating, foods with a backstory, foods they dislike – I believe that we all need all the chances we can get to connect, spread love, and simply SEE each other. I don’t think there’s anything more important.

A favorite food memory or recipe:

I have three children (ages 14, 11 and 7), and it’s always been a priority, a joy, and an adventure for me to bring them into the kitchen with me! During the pandemic, we all got really into a podcast by America’s Test Kitchen called “Mystery Recipe” which further inspired our love of trying/making new things together. My daughter and I particularly love to bake together. It’s something we’ve done since she was very small. One of our favorite things to make over the weekend is a big batch of muffins so that we are fueled up with something delicious for breakfast on busy school mornings during the week ahead! This is a recipe that we love a lot.

She/Her

Tamara Golden works with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, staff, and other Pilot Light champions to identify and engage new donors and create a strategic and holistic development plan.

Tamara has over 8 years’ worth of experience in fundraising, and loves building relationships with supporters and finding each person’s unique passion and connection to the cause. She worked in the Chicago market of Autism Speaks, planning large scale fundraising events and engaging individual and corporate donors. Prior to working in development, Tamara worked in education at the Chicago Children’s Museum for over 10 years. This unique blend of fundraising and programming experience makes Tamara uniquely suited to serve Pilot Light’s mission in a fundraising capacity.

Tamara lives in Chicago with her husband and two daughters. She is incredibly excited to be joining Pilot Light and is more inspired by our mission every day. 

Favorite Food Education Standard: FES #5 – Food Impacts Health:

I have learned how to make intentional choices about the food I eat so I can be my best self. In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and feel my best, I need to eat fruit and vegetables that give my body the nutrients and vitamins it needs. I have tried to teach my children this at a young age. If we eat well and fuel our bodies with healthy fresh foods, we will feel our best and avoid many illnesses.

A favorite food memory or recipe:

Growing up we used to visit our grandparents in St. Louis twice a year. All my cousins would come into town as well and we would have giant slumber parties for 5 or 6 days straight. My grandpa would go to the local Jewish deli and get a huge spread for us for breakfast every morning. Most of the kids would not even try the smoked salmon he would buy. I loved it and my grandpa loved watching me eat it and enjoy it. It brought him such joy. One night my cousins were staying up so late and I told them I needed to go to sleep and they needed to be quiet. The quicker I go to sleep, the quicker I can wake up and eat salmon. They made fun of me for years about that, but I stand by it!