Carle Brinkman

Experience

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  Fund for the Public Interest

  Aug 2004 - May 2005

  Assistant Canvass Office Director

  ● Recruited, trained, managed and evaluated a campaign staff of 20 canvassers● Developed grassroots campaigns to attracted media coverage and influence policy

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  Pacific Coast Farmers'​ Market Association

  May 2005 - Jul 2010

  ● Developed and oversaw the implementation of operational plans for 16 of PCFMA’s farmers’ markets; conceptualized, developed and carried out plans for new markets ● Hired, managed, coached, trained and formally evaluated 7 Market Managers ● Managed all aspects of up to 4 farmers’ markets per week, which includes ensuring the safety of the market and its compliance with state and county health, agricultural and fire regulations. Conducted ongoing on-site training for new staff● Implemented extensive community outreach and public education, including at-market learning with local schools on issues relating to food, nutrition, and the importance of local food systems

  • Regional Manager

    Feb 2009 - Jul 2010

  • Farmers' Market Manager

    May 2005 - Feb 2009
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  Lexicon of Sustainability Project

  Jan 2010 - Mar 2011

  Researcher, Food and Farming

  The Lexicon of Sustainability is a multiple media and education language project.It is a five part book series composed of stories and portraits of, by and for the foot soldiers and points of light pioneers in five categories : 1. Food and Farming 2. Energy, Environment and Waste (Recycling) 3. Transportation, Urban Planning (Architecture), Public Policy 4. Manufacturing, Finance (Business) 5. Technology, Lifestyle and Spirituality. The flat film style and narratives of artist / writer Douglas Gayeton are the centerpiece of these stories. These images are designed to both stand-alone and work as a series with interconnection points between them and in many cases with celebrities emerging from the field who cross multiple “sustainability” boundaries.The nexus of the project is an immersive online social network where users can add their own terms to the ever- increasing lexicon. Show less

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  Ecology Center, Berkeley

  Dec 2010 - Sept 2022

  ● Provided strategic direction, development, and management for all Ecology Center local, statewide and national food and farming programs, including education, policy, partnership development and coalition building● Served on cross-organizational Leadership Team, including efforts to advance Diversity Equity Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) across the organization’s policies, culture, relationships, and programs● Managed a team of 17 staff; developed goals and professional development plans for 4 direct reports; fostered a culture of teamwork, mutual support, and inclusive learning spaces, and maintained strong staff morale through the pandemic● Led food and farming communications and marketing, including statewide social- and earned-media campaigns; created press releases and messaging; oversaw collateral development; spoke on behalf of the organization to funders, journalists, partners, the public, elected officials and their staff● Developed, oversaw, and monitored program annual budgets totaling $9.7M; took necessary actions to meet or exceed budgetary goals; led grant development and other funding activities for department● Oversaw the development, execution, and monitoring of numerous multi-year, large, government and private grants (including from CA Dept. of Food & Ag. and USDA) including: contracts, implementation plans, budgets, and staffing; managed and collaborated with grant project evaluators to develop evaluation metrics, tools, methodologies, and report on key insights; successfully led writing and submission of organization’s largest grant proposal to-date of $25+ million● Participated in local, state, and national coalitions, working groups, and legislative initiatives to advance healthy, sustainable, local and regional food systems; built relationships with decision-makers and staff, conducted advocacy, and lobbied elected officials Show less ● Managed and executed all aspects relating to the Ecology Center’s work promoting healthy food access at California farmers’ markets and other farm-direct outlets● Developed, monitored and provided spending projections for annual program budget of $2.8M; Managed and executed numerous multi-year, government grants including CNIP, CSCB, FMPP, FINI, & FMSSG● Hired, trained, supervised, and evaluate performance for Farmers’ Market Access & Equity staff; Managed 50+ contractors under federal grants; conducted site visits to monitor and ensure contractor and recipient performance and compliance and conduct training, and coaching; fostered a learning community through bi-monthly webinars, in-person conferences, and developing numerous toolkits and other training tools● Provided excellent service to low-income individuals, and community-based organizations serving low-income communities Show less

  • Food & Farming Program Director

    Feb 2017 - Sept 2022

  • Access and Equity Program Manager

    Jan 2013 - Feb 2017

  • Farmers'​ Market EBT Project Manager

    Dec 2010 - Dec 2012
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  Carle Brinkman Consulting: Strategy & Grants | Project Management | Communications & Engagement

  Oct 2022 - now

  Consultant

  Example Services:* Advising on grant strategy & proposals* Grant project management, writing & editing* Program strategy, development & planning* Communications & Stakeholder Engagement* Leading discrete, time-limited projects* Facilitation of meetings or processes, including those with cross-sector, diverse stakeholders* Planning & strategizing for key staff transitions & moments of change* Developing organizational tools & policies* Policy-advocacy, campaign strategy, grassroots & direct lobbyingPast Example Projects:● Successfully led and organized a grassroots campaign to refund the California Nutrition Incentive Programs (CNIP) for $35 million in the California state budget● Provided high level direction, strategy, and program development on a project under the CA. Department of Social Services (CDSS) California Fruit & Veggie EBT Pilot● Supported and advised senior staff in state/federal grant strategy and scope; Contributed to concept proposal narrative review, editing and refining Show less

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  Federation of American Scientists

  Oct 2023 - Jan 2024

  Agricultural Marketing Specialist Impact Fellowship

  The FAS Impact Fellowship is a selective fellowship program that supports the development and placement of emerging scientific and technical talent within high-impact roles across the federal government.● Served as an Agricultural Marketing Specialist Impact Fellow, contributing strategic insights to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of America’s food systems and drive forward the mission of resilient food supply chains alongside a cohort of other Impact Fellows● Developed Capstone Project: Leveraging Federal Nutrition Benefits for Local and Regional Food Systems: An Exploration of EBT and Incentive Program Technology & Soft Infrastructure Show less