MEET THE TEAM
We've been called everything from eco-preneurs to online gurus, but we prefer to be thought of as the Chief Biters: connecting good people with good companies.
Heather Stephenson, Co-Founder
After more than a decade of leadership in the fields of advertising and technology, Heather Stephenson incorporated her passion for business and natural living by co-founding Ideal Bite. Heather brings to Ideal Bite her passion for sales and growing profitable companies, and her experience in doing so, having served as an early Vice President of Sales in both the US and Europe at L90, Inc - an international online advertising sales network that went public in 1999. Before Heather's management role in Ideal Bite, she was the founder of UrbanSage - a NY-based rooftop garden design/build firm. Heather has an M.A. in Literature and a B.A. in Government from Georgetown University.
Jennifer Boulden, Co-Founder
For the past 13 years Jennifer Boulden has led business strategy and marketing programs for a range of corporate and nonprofit organizations including IBM, Hearst, World Resource Institute, and Rocky Mountain Institute. Prior to Ideal Bite, Jennifer served as the president of the Anavo Group, a sustainable business consulting firm. Jennifer graduated from William & Mary with a degree in Economics, and George Washington University with an MBA in Environmental Management.
Kay Hill, Senior Sales Executive
Kay's media sales career spans more than 15 years, during which she rode the wave of the internet boom from startup to public company at Jupiter Media Metrix, where she specialized in market research and technology. Of course, this geeky love of all things tech didn't stop her from pursuing other passions - most recently as a wine broker specializing in boutique California wines. As a yoga teacher and self-professed foodie (who happens to be married to a chef), she is passionate about sustainability and local food. Her sales experience combined with her positive, balanced outlook led Kay to Ideal Bite, which she says is "the perfect place to balance my love of Internet technology with my passion for holistic living." Kay holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma, and enjoys snowboarding, cycling, reading, and running (she finished her first marathon in 2006). (Kay's Eco-confessions)
Jenifer Morgan, Senior Editor
Jenifer Morgan has worked as an editor and writer for consumer magazines for over 12 years. After years of working in tech journalism, including 5 years as Managing Editor of MacAddict magazine, she became the founding editor of Shojo Beat, a lifestyle and comics magazine for young adults. During the past year, she has been traveling the world, first teaching English to students in rural Poland; then sojourning to her favorite place on Earth - Lake Como, Italy - for her wedding; and finally making her way to India. Now she is thrilled to bring her editorial expertise to a company that shares her passion for sustainability and the environment. Jenifer studied literature at Leeds University in England and has a degree in English from the University of California at Santa Barbara. She also attended Sierra Academy of Aeronautics, where she earned her private pilot license in 1999. (Jenifer's Eco-confessions)
Sara Rasmussen, Sales Executive
Sara Rasmussen first discovered her passion for the intersection of business and sustainability while working on sustainable investment research. Various experiences in the fields of sustainable business consulting and socially responsible investment endowed Sara with the ability to understand the big picture, while her small business experience gave her the in the trenches know-how to get things done. Sara is a graduate of Reed College, where she earned a BA in cultural anthropology. Happiest when she’s on the move, Sara enjoys traveling, running, and swimming. (Sara's Eco-confessions)
Toshio Meronek, Editorial Manager
After several years working at non-profits in Los Angeles and Washington, DC, and a yearlong stint as editor for a magazine about water conservation, Toshio found that his knack for journalism could effect large-scale positive change at Ideal Bite. Through his work coordinating a program for underserved middle school students, he cultivated the management skills necessary for overseeing Ideal Bite's team of research and writing interns. Toshio is the creator of several popular computer fonts. (Toshio's Eco-confessions)
Hilary Fetter, Marketing Manager
After growing up in rural WI, then ditching a budding big city career in search of something more adventurous, Hilary landed in MT with a job in marketing for a start-up ski resort. There she got to work polishing her knack for clear messaging and understanding that powder days meant "working remotely." From there she moved into project management at a graphic design and marketing studio, until the lure of aligning her values and her profession drew her to Ideal Bite. When she's not analyzing Ideal Bite subscriber numbers or building targeted keyword campaigns, you can find her on the slopes in the winter or sweating it all out in hot yoga. Hilary has a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of St. Thomas and lives with her adorable beagle, Louis. (Hilary's Eco-confessions)
Elisa Reed, Production Manager
Elisa became interested in sustainability after circumnavigating the globe on Semester at Sea (a program where college students sail abroad). Seeing firsthand how each of our actions affects the world around us, she was inspired to change things, working as an affordable housing grant writer and an energy consultant. Later, Elisa discovered Ideal Bite - and immediately knew it was just the place to join her passions and talents. Elisa graduated from the University of Southern California with a BS in Public Policy, Management, and Urban Planning. For fun, she enjoys traveling, hiking, swimming, and practicing yoga. (Elisa's Eco-confessions)
Diane DiPrima, Managing Editor
Diane decided it was time to try something new after working in film and television production for 5 years. She landed a job as the marketing coordinator and production editor for a tech consulting company. That's when she got hooked on editing. Her interest in publishing and the Internet led to positions at IDG.net, VoIP Magazine, Sunset magazine, and Ideal Bite. She holds a BS in Communication from Florida State University and an MFA in Dramatic Art from the University of California at Davis. Diane enjoys spinning fire, crafting, riding horses, and scuba diving in warm water. (Diane's Eco-confessions)
Theresa Gonzalez, Senior Editor
Theresa Gonzalez has been lucky enough to combine her passions for sustainability and design with a 12-year-long editorial career. At Time Inc. in New York, she offset her growing guilt for promoting corporate magalogs by writing about such things as factory farms and urban encroachment for The Humane Society of the US's All Animals magazine. Most recently she was the editor of the (late) DIY mag, Cutting Edge, where she worked side by side on a Mac and a Bernina sewing machine. After living in NYC for five years (and running all five boroughs), Theresa decided to trade her Metro card for a Muni pass. She continues to study sustainable design in San Francisco and just finished her first book, Dorm Decor, which will be published in early '09 by Chronicle Books. (Theresa's Eco-confessions)
Beth Ameen, City Editor - New York
Beth started her professional life as a TV producer and worked at NBC's Today Show - Weekend Edition for 12 years. In her spare time, she co-founded a production company, and wrote a book: "Preston Bailey's Fantasy Weddings." In 2006, she became a producer on The Martha Stewart Show. This is where she met Heather and Jen, who introduced her to her new obsession - all things bamboo. After leaving Martha and taking a four-week safari in Africa (where she learned that she's severely allergic to cheetahs), she joined the Ideal Bite team as the New York City Editor. An avid traveler and believer of experiencing random things, she's jumped out of planes, earned a few belts in karate, is a certified SCUBA diver, and makes her own lip balm. One day, she'll adopt a dog of her very own, but for now, she takes her responsibility of spoiling her four nephews very seriously. (Beth's Eco-confessions)
Molly Roemer, City Editor - LA
Being from the edge of Lake Erie keeps Molly grounded - or maybe it's the yoga. She received a BA in Psychology with a Minor in Dance, Magna Cum Laude, from MI State University, Then moved to Los Angeles a few years ago to study yoga. Having worked as a yoga teacher, freelance writer, and Lifestyle Editor for Yogi Times Magazine, she's excited to bring her eco-savvy skills and flavor to Ideal Bite to help shift the collective consciousness. (Molly's Eco-confessions)
Alison Lara, City Editor - Chicago
Alison started her journalism career at the Chicago Tribune and the Tribune's "RedEye" edition. As a reporter, feature writer and columnist, her beats included current events, arts, culture and food, with assignments that ranged from covering a young Barack Obama to hanging out (quite literally) with circus trapeze performers. Alison's passions for the sustainable food movement, green design and conservation led her to Ideal Bite. In addition to her role as Chicago editor, she's a restaurant critic for Crain's Chicago Business. Alison holds a Master's in journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School and a BA in American Studies from Amherst College. She can often be found in her kitchen poring over new cookbooks. (Alison's Eco-confessions)
Mike Krolak, City Editor - San Francisco
After a turn as an environmental analyst, Mike's spent the past five years as an editor and writer for a pretty eclectic array of magazines, newspapers, and online media (unless you can find a link between baseball, dogs, and hip-hop). During his stint at BabyCenter.com, he decided two things: 1) Dogs and babies are pretty similar; and 2) He really liked having a job that made a difference. When the opportunity arrived, he jumped at the chance to head up Ideal Bite's San Francisco edition. Mike spends his time in SF eating burritos and talking about eating burritos. (Mike's Eco-confessions)
Hanah Snavely, Junior Editor
Hanah (who feels uncomfortable referring to herself in the third-person) landed a job at Ideal Bite after returning from a self-indulgent post-graduation trip through Central America. Last summer, the timing was right to offset that self-indulgence with a green job at Ideal Bite. After getting her BA in Urban Planning and working for a couple of SF nonprofits, Hanah, who never thought she would get paid to write, loves being able to say, "I get paid to write." As for her free time, as part of her Biter hazing, Hanah tried yoga, and she found she enjoys it. She also enjoys the word "sustainabling" and talking incessantly about how any day now she's going to get herself a too-cool fixie to race Toshio to work on. (Hanah's Eco-confessions)
Kinsey Miller, Graphic Design Intern
Kinsey grew up in Santa Fe, NM, and received her BA in Sociology and Media Studies from Pitzer College in Claremont, CA. Kinsey currently resides in Boulder, CO and after three years of working in the music business, she has switched gears and is now pursuing her creative talents through a career in graphic and web design. In her spare time, Kinsey can be found doing yoga, seeing live music, snowboarding, rock climbing, surfing, cooking, and chilling with her adorable yellow lab, Bailey. (Kinsey's Eco-confessions)
Jen Hoyard, Marketing Intern
After plenty of school and work in her home state of WI, Jeni's zeal for the mountains landed her in MT. A Biter and armed with the ambition to make a difference, she found her way to an internship at our Bozeman office. Jeni adores skiing, hiking, yoga and playing outside with her husband and their golden retriever. (Jen's Eco-confessions)
Paige Draitser, Editorial Intern
Paige was born on Earth Day and raised in the woods of Northern California's wine country, so it is only fitting that she ended up at Ideal Bite. A former actress, Paige holds a BA in theatre from UCSD and spent five years teaching in Southern California public schools before beginning work in television marketing. After years of harassing friends and family about nutrition, holistic living and eco-related news, she is happy to finally have an outlet for her passion. In her free time, Paige loves hiking the hills of Los Angeles and baking vegan treats for her meat-eating husband. (Paige's Eco-confessions)
Aaron Inouye, Editorial Intern
After studying technical writing in Ohio, Aaron took a somewhat circuitous road back to his home state of Idaho, where he is now an aspiring ski bum who often can be found in the nearby mountains making turns on his skis or riding his bike. When he's not playing outside, Aaron spends his time working at a local outdoor gear shop and writing. (Aaron's Eco-confessions)
Christina Bohn, Editorial Intern
After various career changes, Christina has finally found her calling. As a longtime Biter, she loves spreading the word about Ideal Bite and the small changes we can all make in our lives. Christina has a BA in Literature from San Francisco State and is a Bay Area native who's also a fan of yoga, cooking, gardening, reading, and is an active doggie mom. (Christina's Eco-confessions)
Lauren Satlak, Sales and Operations Intern
Upon completing her BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of MO, Lauren headed out west. One Culinary Arts degree later, Lauren and her husband, Matt, left San Francisco for an opportunity to run a bed and breakfast in Yosemite National Park. Immersed in nature and the company of many world travelers, Lauren sought to learn more about the environment and social and political issues, realizing the connectedness between the way in which we eat and the state of these issues. She enjoys experimenting with new vegan recipes, painting, and walking through the water at Ocean Beach, in SF. (Lauren's Eco-confessions)
