Meet Our Staff

Stephanie Pal

Executive Director stephanie.pal@projectbeetroot.org

  • (she/her/hers)

    Why do you choose to work at Project Beetroot?

    Because I deeply believe in the organization’s mission. By teaching kids where their food comes from and making cooking fun, we can help kids develop a healthy relationship with food, which is tied to good health, improved confidence, feelings of empowerment and joy! Things ALL children should be privy to!

    Favorite vegetable:

    Radicchio

    One fun fact about me:

    I am Canadian and I speak French!

Mia Dillon

Food Educator

Emily Hie

Program Director emily.hie@projectbeetroot.org

  • (They/Them)

    Why do you choose to work at Project Beetroot?

    After working with Project Beetroot as a classroom teacher for seven years, I saw the impact that seed to table education had for students from all walks of life. Gardening and cooking lessons help kids to see that food is more than just nutrition—it’s also culture, science, and medicine. Furthermore, food is community—it’s the easiest way I know to connect with people in our past, present, and future! I love raising my own child in Whatcom County, and my goal is that all children here will feel empowered to grow and eat delicious food.

    Favorite Vegetable:

    Garlic. I double it in every recipe!

    One fun fact about me:

    I also taught martial arts for six years!

Cam McMaster

Grants & Development Manager cam.mcmaster@projectbeetroot.org

  • (he/him)

    Why do you choose to work at Project Beetroot?

    Food is the way I connect with people, my community and the land I live on! After college, I spent some time organizing and working on political campaigns, and would often hear about how food security is a problem in our community. I’m excited to work on projects that connect people directly to food, and I love helping Project Beetroot share the stories that come from those connections.

    Favorite vegetable:

    Asparagus!

    One fun fact about me:

    I once had to repair a tire in Death Valley, by myself!

Claire Harris

Food Educator

  • (She/Her)

    Why do you choose to work at Project Beetroot?

    I want every child in our community to experience the magic that happens when you plant a seed, watch it grow, and turn it into something nourishing and beautiful. Food brings people together and connects us with the Earth – it’s science, art, culture, and medicine all wrapped up in one delicious package. I feel most connected and grounded when I’m cooking or farming, and I believe everyone deserves access to that same sense of purpose and joy. Project Beetroot allows me to combine my passions for community engagement and environmental education while ensuring every child gets to experience the satisfaction of growing something with their own hands and sharing it with others.

    Favorite vegetable:

    Sungold tomatoes! They are like little bursts of sunshine.

    One fun fact about me:

     I love line dancing!

  • (She/Her)

    Why do you choose to work at Project Beetroot?

    I come from a boisterous Italian family, so cooking and sharing delicious meals together has always been precious to me. I hope to share this joy with kids in our community, deepening their connection to the land and the veggies that grow from it. I believe that teaching kids to nurture a seed or try a new recipe will empower healthy choices for their future!

    Favorite vegetable: Radish, especially a spicy one.

    One fun fact about me: I'm an aspiring potter (all my mugs are warped!).

Eric Guiang

Food Truck Program Manager

  • (He/Him)

    Why do you choose to work at Project Beetroot?

    I chose to work at Project Beetroot because cooking and sharing meals has always been central to how I build and nourish community. I’m excited about the opportunity to bring nutritious (and delicious!) food and hands-on food education to kids across Whatcom County. I believe every child deserves access to healthy meals and the knowledge to make good food choices. Well-fed kids are better equipped to learn, grow and thrive!

    Favorite vegetable: Brussel Sprouts!

    One fun fact about me: I’ve canoed on the Arctic Ocean!

Clara Wallner

Food Educator

  • (she/her)

    Why do you choose to work at Project Beetroot?

    I come from a family of farmers, and as a child being outside and digging in the dirt was always my happy place. As I grew older, and through my AmeriCorps service with Project Beetroot, I discovered my passion for teaching others about the natural world and sharing the magic and wonder I felt in the garden as a child (and still feel as an adult!) I believe that growing your own food is an empowering experience, one that everyone regardless of age, race, gender, or socio economic status should have the means to access and take pride in!

    Favorite vegetable:

    Mushrooms! Any and all varieties. One of my favorite family recipes that my mom taught me how to make is mushroom risotto (with LOTS of garlic of course).

    One fun fact about me:

    I can roller skate backwards!

Meet Our Board

Join The Board!

Maria Macpherson

President, Co-Treasurer

  • (she/her/hers)

    Why do you choose to volunteer with Project Beetroot?

    All children should have the opportunity to learn the valuable skills of gardening and making healthy food choices. When children are exposed to the concept of growing their own food and making healthy choices, they become more connected to the food they eat and are more likely to develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Providing access to education about sustainable food practices and nutrition is critical in building a healthier future for our community!

    Favorite vegetable:

    Broccoli

    One fun fact about me:

    I spent 7 months traveling the country with my husband and dog living out of our teardrop trailer.

Mikaela Foster

Secretary

  • (she/her/hers)

    Why do you choose to volunteer with Project Beetroot?

    I’m passionate about empowering communities with knowledge about food, sustainability, agriculture, and nourishment — and Project Beetroot does this in a really cool way by investing in the next generation. I truly believe health and wellness can be accessible to every person and that understanding the powerful impact of food and nutrition is a key part of building a strong foundation for a healthy life.

    Favorite vegetable:

    Brussel sprouts! I love that they can be made sweet or savory and if they’re on a restaurant’s menu, odds are I’ll be ordering them.

    One fun fact about me:

    I have a golden retriever named Ralph.

Olivia Schmoe

Board Member

  • (she/her/hers)

    Why do you choose to volunteer with Project Beetroot?

    Food is fundamental to our well-being, yet many lose sight of the importance of healthy eating and the journey food takes from farm to table—especially in today’s world of mass production and limited resources. I am passionate about Project Beetroot’s mission to help children discover the origins of their food. By fostering this understanding early on, we empower the next generation to make informed, mindful choices, support local farmers, and develop a deeper appreciation for the food they eat.

    Favorite vegetable:

    Broccoli because it enhances almost any savory dish and is delicious simply roasted with oil, salt, and pepper.

    One fun fact about me:

    At one point, I memorized 78 digits of Pi… today, I can tell you 5.

Jess Meyer

Board Member

  • (she/her/hers)

    Why do you choose to volunteer with Project Beetroot?

    I moved to Bellingham in 2018 to serve as an AmeriCorps Food Educator with Project Beetroot and that experience grounded me in this community and my love of food. As an AmeriCorps Member, I watched kids’ eyes light up as they pulled dirty carrots out of the ground and witnessed the connections they made with the earth and each other as we played, harvested, and ate together. Growing and cooking your own food is empowering and when taught at a young age these experiences can translate into a lifelong love of food and a desire to be better stewards of the land where it grows. I feel honored to serve this organization again as a Board Member.

    Favorite vegetable:

    Kohlrabi! It was always a favorite field snack when I farmed.

    One fun fact about me:

    I was the Drum Major of my high school and college marching bands and still play my trombone.

Lainie Smith

Board Member

  • (she/her/hers)

    Why do you choose to volunteer with Project Beetroot?

    Nutrition is a life unlock, and all children should be afforded the opportunity to learn about what they eat, how to grow it, how it benefits their bodies and development, and how it ultimately inspires the ability to find joy and play all throughout life. Having the opportunity to cement nutritional habits early in life, and to find the curiosity and fun in doing so, provides such an advantage for the long term. And to know that it’s their choice and something they can create themselves at any point they choose is the ultimate superpower. The programs, knowledge, and culture Project Beetroot lives by and puts into the world is the most meaningful work for our kids!

    Favorite vegetable:

    Murasaki sweet potatoes, hands down. Love that they can be salty or sweet. Love the purple outside and yellow inside. Just fun.

    One fun fact about me:

    I’m a full time caregiver to my 26 houseplants.