A small but mighty team

Board of Directors

Wendy Stuart specializes in comprehensive, long-term solutions for sustainable food, agricultural, and environmental issues. As a local food systems specialist, Wendy’s expertise provides a comprehensive framework for assessing the feasibility of triple bottom line solutions, and supports the development of entities that promote local food systems.  And as an economist, she advances customized approaches for businesses to promote their vision while maintaining financially successful business practices. Wendy has consulted on numerous projects across the food system, ranging from hunger-relief efforts to sustainable product development. Wendy continues her involvement in the broader foodscape by consulting through Food Works Group. Her work has been featured in the Washington Post and other media. 

Sarah Dachos maritime security specialist, is WNP's go-to for all things fish. Her expertise in fisheries and sustainability make her a top resource. Sarah is ra retired officer of the U.S. Navy and recently went back to school to study urban agriculture and food systems. Previously, she was the Deputy Foreign Policy Advisor for the Chief of Naval Operations. Her work has brought her to

Kathy O’Neill is Creative Producer, Vice President at Edelman, a global public relations firm. She has 15+ years experience as a producer in film, video, and photo production. Kathy has produced web videos for top fortune 500 companies, production managed 30+ television commercials, and managed photo shoots on four continents. With two careers, in public health and production, plus a Masters in Public Health from Yale University, Kathy has combined experience in business development, communications, management, marketing, and public relations.

Juli Staiano joined the American Association for the Advancement of Science as Director of Development in March 2008. Prior to coming to AAAS, she served at the Foundation for the National Institutes for seven years. As Director of Partnership Development, she implemented a model of public-private partnership designed to accommodate the unique challenges and policies facing private-sector and government partners in order to facilitate joint investment—both financial and intellectual—in biomedical research. As a culmination of this work, she led efforts to conceptualize, organize and launch The Biomarkers Consortium, a Foundation-managed collaboration linking partners from across sectors. As Director of Strategic Initiatives, she investigated and documented various models of research collaboration and best practices to ensure their success. In just over a decade, she has both led and supported fundraising efforts resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in philanthropic funding for the arts and sciences from foundations, corporations, and individuals.

Partners and Pro bono support

We are grateful for the community of partners that has brought the Wide Net Project to this place. 

J.J. McDonnell and Co. is one of the premier fish processors and distributors in the mid-Atlantic. Their dedication to the Wide Net Project has been a critical part of WNP's success. We admire their high standards of traceability, their attention to detail on product, and their simultaneous focus on the bottom line and the broader community. 

MOM’s is the Mid-Atlantic region’s premier chain of family-owned and operated organic grocery stores. MOM's purpose is to protect and restore the environment. Their support of Wide Net Project’s mission has provided us the opportunity to donate tens of thousands of portions of blue catfish. We are grateful for their commitment to the environment and their financial support.

The legal team of Brian Israel and Emma Lewis at Arnold and Porter was invaluable in shepherding WNP through the 501c3 application process.

Priya Baskaran of the Georgetown University Social Enterprise and Non-profit Law Clinic generously donated her time to oversee WNP's trademark application.

Black Eye Productions crafted the new WNP video that adorns the landing page of the website.

Jay Finkelstein and Cara Hupprich of DLA Piper provided essential legal expertise as WNP was launching.