Stefanie Robles

What I do:
I support the development of sustainable and equitable food systems, building pipelines and programs to support food entrepreneurs throughout their entrepreneurial journey.

How I ended up working there:
I was recruited by reSET and found through a linked in connection.

The best part of my job:
I love building pipelines and pathways that connect clients with the resources or people they need. I love business coaching, community partnership development, and developing local, equitable food ecosystems.

What have you worked on lately that is exciting?
We just had our Food Entrepreneurship Pitch Night in May 2023 at Fire by Forge in Hartford, where the graduates of our Food Incubator program pitched their business and networked with the community and potential funders. I also started building a statewide network of food entrepreneurial support networks to build better cohesion across CT, and we are in the middle of our strategic planning process.

How did SPP prepare you for this role and career?
SPP shared the opportunity to learn how to build connections across systems; create a matrix; learn how to work with people with different values and still get the task at hand completed.

What advice would you give to students considering a degree in public policy?
Reflect on what you are yearning to do in life and remember there are multiple pathways. Public Policy is a great avenue for opportunities across every sector and there is always a need. Graduate school is what you make it, and there are resources and networks to tap into all around you–use them! They will last longer than the time it takes to get the degree.

Do you have any future plans or dreams you’d like to share?
I’m excited to be back at UMass to complete my doctoral studies and research on burnout from an organizational and intersectional perspective. I also have my own small business that is expanding from burnout support and wellness education to business coaching & career development from a framework of on-ramps and nourishment. I’m excited to support my clients in how to build their business in a way that is human-centered and sustainable for them; and I’m excited to support individuals in creating that transition out of where you are now, to what you want to experience and do to live in this world (and generate income).

July 2023