Women to Watch: Theresa Feiner

MADISON AREA CHEF NETWORK’S Executive Director Theresa Feiner votes with her heart, and her fork. Piggybacking off her day gig at Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection as a business development consultant, Feiner inspired a handful of Madison’s top chefs to leverage their collective voice and purchasing power toward furthering the local slow food movement.

Feiner is resetting the table, so to speak. And, doing so in a big way. She helped launch the chef network’s annual Yum Yum Fest, an event that in 2015 welcomed over 5,000 guests. Later this year, Feiner lends her expertise abroad as a volunteer with a U.S. agency for international development funded Farmer-to-Farmer program, offering on-site support to farmers. She also plans to launch a half-million dollar program at the state agriculture department to finance micro loans—helping fund 20 to 30 local food-related companies annually.

Underground Food Collective co-owner and chef Jonny Hunter says, “She is a complete asset to the sustainable ag community.” In Madison, and beyond.