Lindsay was appointed Executive Director by the ISA Board of Directors in early 2009 after serving as program coordinator at ISA for over two years.  While working for ISA, Lindsay reached out to farmers, consumers, restaurants and retailers in central Illinois to promote locally produced foods and connect local growers and producers to new markets.

Prior to coming to Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Lindsay studied Policy Advocacy and Social Justice at the School for International Training and received a B.A. from Arizona State University with concentrations in Anthropology and Sociology. Throughout her studies, Lindsay kept her connection to the land by working on farms in Arizona, Illinois and New Hampshire.  Lindsay is a Central Illinois Farm Beginnings graduate.  Lindsay, her husband and son hope to help both of their central Illinois based family farms flourish in becoming diversified sustainable operations.

As Policy Coordinator, Wes is monitoring sustainable agriculture and local food related legislation in Springfield at the State House and helping to coordinate the Springfield Local Food Task Force. In addition, Wes is working on organizing, coordinating, and building the capacity of grassroots capacity to influence policy decision in Illinois.

Prior to joining ISA, Wes was an organizer at the Illinois Environmental Council conducting policy work for a statewide coalition of enviromental organizations. Wes has a BA in Political Studies from the University of Illinois at Springfield and an MA in Political Studies from UIS. While working on his MA, Wes interned at the Illinois EPA and studied the effects of globalization on agriculture in Latin America.  Whether it was helping with his father’s  organic garden as a child, his experience in the Boy Scouts, or his academic experiences with globalization and agriculture issues in the global south, Wes has always been interested and concerned with society’s metabolic relationship with nature. Following in his father’s footsteps Wes has become an avid organic gardener himself.

Claudia Emken, Yates City, is a lifelong resident of Knox County, IL. She has been involved with conservation policy for more than 25 years. As a conservation policy consultant, she uses her experience and expertise in a variety of ways, including work in the Upper Mississippi River states promoting agricultural conservation programs contained in the Farm Bill. In addition, Claudia is on the board for the Illinois River Road Scenic Byway; serves on the Government Relations Committee for Chicago Wilderness, and is chair of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Advisory Board. She is on the advisory council and the executive advisory council for the new University of Illinois Extension Unit 10, which covers Knox, McDonough, Warren and Henderson counties in west central Illinois.

From 1997 to 2009, Claudia worked for The Nature Conservancy in Illinois, serving first as Director of Government Relations, then as Associate Director of Conservation. Prior to joining the Conservancy, she worked as Constituency Liaison for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Claudia has a degree in political studies from Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois, Springfield). She is active in the Maquon United Methodist Church where she chairs the Long Range Planning Committee.  Claudia and her husband David have two adult sons, both of whom are married. In April this year, they will welcome their fifth grandchild into the family.  

isa@ilstewards.org

Dee Carlson began her time as the ISA office manager with over 20 years of management experience. Her employment history includes 12 years of office management with payroll and bookkeeping experience, and a strong work ethic.  Dee’s diversified work background and skills will be a valued asset at ISA. 
Dee is excited about facing new challenges and using her organizational abilities in her new work environment. She has always been interested in learning and getting involved and hopes her employment at ISA will continue to challenge her growth. 
When Dee’s not working, you can find her enjoying time with her family and being outdoors. The love of nature combined with the desire to learn more about healthy eating and organic gardening lead Dee to the ISA, which offered her the opportunity to use her skills and fulfill her passion to contribute.  ISA’s local food campaigns, support of small farms and initiatives to develop local food systems will provide a way to get involved.

Lauren is a senior at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL.  This May she will be graduating with a BA in Political Science, as well as a minor in Environmental Studies.  At school, she is an active member of Kappa Delta Sorority and the Sierra Student Coalition.  She is also the co-editor of Res Publica, IWU's undergraduate Political Science research journal.  After graduation, Lauren hopes to pursue a career in environmental policy and eventually return to school to pursue a PhD.  She has long been passionate about environmental issues and strives to be an advocate for sustainable practices.  In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, biking , listening to music, and spending time outdoors.  

Prior to interning at ISA, Lauren interned at various organizations and businesses, such as State Farm Insurance, Marcfirst, and the Council on American Islamic Relations.