Starting a Shared Use Kitchen
“Starting a Shared Use Kitchen” is a live Zoom webinar on Monday, February 17 at 2pm. Are you interested in starting a shared-use kitchen for food and farming businesses looking to rent commercial kitchen space? Join us for a discussion between a panel of organizations who are planning to build shared-use kitchens in Wisconsin, and shared-use kitchen resource providers like The Food Corridor, a software platform to help you coordinate your shared-use kitchen. (Stay tuned for the demo webinar for The Food Corridor platform).
Speaker: Hailey Edmondson (she/her), VP of Sales and Retention, The Food Corridor
Hailey Edmondson has worked with shared kitchens and local food since 2017. She served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member for 2 years at Crossroad Community Food Network, a community kitchen in Maryland, where she supported early stage food businesses by developing resources and programming for the kitchen. As VP of Sales & Retention at The Food Corridor, Hailey has worked with hundreds of shared kitchen operators in the last 5 years, directing them to industry-specific resources and best practices to support their food business communities. She attended Purdue University (B.Sc. Plant Breeding & Genetics), and earned her M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from Colorado State University with a focus on local food systems.
Speaker: Julie Keown-Bomar, Executive Director, Wisconsin Farmers Union
Joining the Wisconsin Farmers Union as Executive Director in 2018, Julie has worked to reduce barriers and help build a good and just life for small farmers, rural residents, and historically underserved communities. Julie’s tenure with Wisconsin Farmers Union was preceded by a career as an educator and administrator in the University of Wisconsin System. Julie has a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology and has worked on many community-based projects including a Hmong cookbook, reducing post harvest loss of fruits and vegetables in rural Nicaragua, and revitalization of a historic building in Chippewa Falls to create farm to table opportunities for independent farms and businesses. She served on Produce Safety Advisory Board for DATCP and currently serves as the Board Vice President for Feed My People Food Bank.
Email: jbomar@wisconsinfarmersunion.com
Phone: 715 492 3549
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-keown-bomar-4457566a
Speaker: Daniel G. Guerra Jr., Entrepreneur, Venture Builder & Economic Development Leader
Daniel G. Guerra Jr. is the founder and CEO of Altus, Inc., a venture studio dedicated to building scalable, investable companies in healthtech, fintech, and edtech, with a focus on underrepresented founders. Passionate about innovation and economic equality, he has spent his career identifying and supporting businesses that drive both financial and social impact. His commitment to creating opportunities for diverse entrepreneurs is deeply personal, shaped by his own experiences—including witnessing the challenges his immigrant father faced in the healthcare system. This fuels his drive to advance solutions that improve healthcare and empower small businesses.
He is also an Inaugural Fellow of the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative (SLEI), a national program focused on scaling Latino-owned businesses.
Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Daniel has played a key role in community and economic development. As a both a member and serving as Chair of Madison’s Community Development Authority (CDA) from 2011 to 2019, he led redevelopment efforts, affordable housing initiatives, and the management of Section 8 housing, supporting over 1,800 low-income residents.
His leadership extends across multiple organizations, Daniel previously served on the board of directors for the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, Latino Professional Association, and BetterInvesting/National Association Investor Corporation, Inc.
Currently, Mr. Guerra serves as a board member and treasure for Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce, where he is a champion for Latino business growth and financial empowerment,
Vice-Chair for Working Capital for Community Needs (WCCN) a $17 million nonprofit organization that partners with microlenders In Mexico, Central and South America, and board member for 100State, Inc. an entrepreneurial community, the Wisconsin Environmental Initiative (WEI), and Small Business for America’s Future a national small business advocacy organization.
Daniel continues to shape policy, investment strategies, and development initiatives that drive both entrepreneurship and sustainability. His expertise in business operations, public-private partnerships, and venture strategy makes him a trusted advisor in scaling businesses, securing funding, and driving economic transformation.
Email: dguerrajr@altuscampus.com
Phone: 608 212 2391
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielguerra
Speaker: Giovanni A. Aleman Sotelo, Director of Operations, Altus, Inc
Giovanni A. Aleman Sotelo is a business and economic development professional with a strong background in accounting, operations, and entrepreneurship. Passionate about helping small businesses thrive, he provides financial expertise, operational support, and strategic marketing solutions that drive sustainable growth.
As Director of Operations at Altus, Inc., Giovanni oversees business implementation, financial management, and strategy. He is also actively involved with The Network for Health, Technology, and Innovation (NHTI), where they tackle economic development. At NHTI, he builds relationships with entrepreneurs, provides direct mentorship, leads business courses in their free Business Ignite program, and collaborates with organizations committed to business, professional, and economic development. His focus is on creating impactful programs and partnerships that empower local businesses.
With expertise in accounting, tax preparation, and financial strategy, Giovanni has worked with organizations such as Wegner CPA, Artful Home, Center for Community Stewardship (C4CS), and Verhelst CPA. His experience spans business finance, operational efficiency, and process automation, helping companies streamline workflows and make informed, data-driven decisions.
Beyond finance, Giovanni has a deep entrepreneurial background in marketing and media. A self-taught videographer and brand strategist, he launched his own consulting firm to help businesses strengthen their brand presence through digital storytelling. His firsthand experience as a business owner gives him unique insight into the challenges entrepreneurs face, allowing him to offer practical, results-oriented solutions.
Committed to fostering economic mobility and collaboration, Giovanni works to develop resources that support business growth, scalability, and long-term success. Whether through financial strategy, operational consulting, marketing guidance, or other business education, his mission is to equip entrepreneurs with the tools they need to thrive.
Email: Galemansotelo@altusinc.co
Phone: 608-213-5540
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/giovannialemansotelo
Extension Facilitator: Addison Vang, Hmong Entrepreneurship Specialist, Community Food Systems Program, UW-Madison – Division of Extension
Accommodations
Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities or limitations should be made prior to the date of the program or activity for which it is needed. Please do so as early as possible prior to the program or activity so that proper arrangements can be made. In certain situations, information related to requests may be shared with staff or units necessary to help coordinate an appropriate accommodation.
Toda solicitud para acomodar de forma razonable una discapacidad o limitación debe ser hecha antes de la fecha del programa o actividad correspondiente. Favor de enviar la solicitud lo más pronto posible antes del programa o actividad para que se puedan hacer los arreglos necesarios. En algunas situaciones, se puede compartir información relacionada con las solicitudes con el personal o los departamentos necesarios para facilitar una acomodación adecuada.
Kev thov pab cuam txog muaj laj thawj rau cov neeg puas cev xws li tes taw los yog ua tsis tau yuav tsum ua qhia ua ntej hnub yuav muaj kev pab cuam los yog dej num uas xav tau ntawd. Thov kom ua ntxov li ntxov tau ua ntej qhov kev pab cuam los yog dej num thiaj li nrhiav tau qhov kev pab ntawd. Kev thov pab no yuav tsis pub lwm tus neeg paub. Nyob rau qee zaum uas muaj kev sib cuam tshaum nrog rau kev thov yuav tau muab qhia rov cov neeg ua huaj lwm los sis cov neeg uas tsim nyog los pab tswj kev sib tham ntawd.
