Kelsey Abad

Hi! I’m Kelsey. I’m so happy you’re here!

Growing up in a predominantly white suburb of Chicago as a Mexican-American kid, I learned pretty quickly how to blend in. It was in college that I was energized by the diversity of people, backgrounds, and especially foods of my peers. As I soaked up my surroundings, I realized my experience of being othered inspired a deep curiosity and empathy within me. We all come from different backgrounds and I genuinely enjoy listening to the web of stories making each of us unique. I use this knowledge and realization and apply it to my integrated approach with Rooted Community Consulting.

With over ten years of experience working at different links in the value chain, I am comfortable in the inbetween. I consider myself a bridge and translator between the layers of the value chain. I have seen empowered participatory decision making, collaborative leadership, and intersectional equity models work first-hand. This motivates and energizes me to share those successes and tools with others who want to adapt them to their organization’s and community’s needs.

I have centered my professional experiences on understanding food systems, building community relationships, and eating my way through each season’s harvest with old and new friends. I have been an operator on the ground and cherish those memories but not so much the 4am mornings. I know how hard work simultaneously feels rewarding and exhausting. I know the skill, tenacity, and talent it takes to run a small farm, restaurant, or non profit advocacy organization. I have worked in urban and rural local food settings in Illinois, North Carolina, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and more. I’ve seen first hand how placing a Whole Foods in a food-insecure neighborhood doesn't solve the systemic problems of food access. Or how inadequate storage, distribution, and broadband infrastructure can cripple a small farm before it even has the chance to get out of an Appalachian holler.

Combining my field and personal experiences, I use my passion and skill to elevate my clients; bringing an understanding of operations, management, programming, and community engagement. I am wildly organized, detailed, loyal, and love a really bad vegetable pun. I hope you see me for who I am and I look forward to getting to see you authentically, too.