.png)
Green City's New Hires Reflect Market's Women Empowerment
- Bob Benenson
- Feb 25
- 2 min read
Devotion to Diversity is a Hallmark of the Organization
Since its founding in 1999, Chicago's Green City Market has established itself as a leader in efforts to building a better, healthier, more sustainable and fairer food system.
It is well-known for cementing the concept of producer-only food sales and defining the Chicago food region, boosting our local food ecosystem. The welcoming atmosphere of its flagship Lincoln Park location has converted many customers into steadfast local food fans.
But there is another way that Green City has promoted positive societal change, and that is through women empowerment. Perhaps this is part of the legacy of the late Abby Mandel, the chef who founded Green City.
I am now approaching the 15th anniversary of my move to Chicago, and Green City has been my local market ever since. And throughout that time, the position of executive director has been held by women, including Letisha (Tish) Steele, who has quickly made an impact on our local food scene since she took over the role last June.
Taylor Choy, a nine-year employee who has made her own mark as Green City's Chief Operating Officer, is leaving for a new role at The Paramount Group, a catering and restaurant company that focuses on locally and sustainably produced food (and whose founder/CEO, Jodi Fyfe, is a Green City Market Board member).
But the Market is initiating its latest cadre of young women leaders with the promotions of Lauren Burns to director of operations, Carey Keane to director of development and communications, Gracie Novacek to director of programs, and Madelyn Wilson to development manager.
In addition, 10 of the Market's 16 Board members are women — including Chef Sarah Stegner of Prairie Grass Cafe in suburban Northbrook. Sarah was one of the founding Board members who allied with Abby Mandel to start the market 27 years ago, and she has been a mainstay ever since.
I have always personally believed in diversity, equity and inclusion (I eschew the acronym DEI because opportunistic politicians have turned it into an epithet). That belief is reflected throughout this publication. So I salute Green City Market for its outstanding and ongoing history of empowering women.
Comments