Meet Skye Cornell

Director of Programs

Skye Cornell is the Director of Programs at Wholesome Wave. She is responsible for directing national strategy and integration for the Double Value Coupon Program and the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program across 50+ partners in 27 states at over 250+ farm-to-retail venues. Previously, she managed Wholesome Wave’s Double Value Coupon programming and community integration activities across five communities in Connecticut. Skye draws on a business, strategic planning and marketing background with five years of experience in food/consumables and three years in finance. In addition to her work at Wholesome Wave, Skye supports several community-based nonprofit organizations dedicated to positive change to Connecticut’s local food system through pro bono activities, most recently CitySeed and Common Ground High School, Urban Farm and Environmental Education Center, both in New Haven, CT. Skye received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Albertus Magnus College, and her Master of Business Administration from Sacred Heart University.   Contact: skye@wholesomewave.org

Q: What food smell brings you instantly back to childhood?
A: The smell of the ocean and feel of the sea air. My dad used to bring my brother, sister and I to the beach on Saturdays, and I remember absolutely loving it - jumping in the waves all morning, then eating a sandwich I love to this day: roast beef with mayo on a bulkie roll.

Q: What is your first food memory?
A: My dad making rhubarb pie with rhubarb that grew in our backyard.

Q: If I came to your house for supper tonight, what would you make me?
A: Probably something with chicken from a local farm. It is available year round at the farmers market so I always have one in the freezer. A favorite easy recipe is Patricia Wells' Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic.

Q: What is your perfect idea of happiness?
A: So many things, most involving food and my family. I'm also a little obsessed with car trips right now; my favorite time to drive is around twilight, everything just seems more relaxed at that time. Zac Brown Band or Miranda Lambert would be on the radio.

Q: What is your greatest fear?
A:

Q: What historical figure do you most identify with?
A:

Q: Who are your heroes in real life?
A: My colleagues! Seriously, it is great to see them everyday at the office and I want people to check out how awesome they are.

Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
A: Doing work to support local food systems and sustainable agriculture. It is amazing every day, no matter how many and varied the challenges.

Q: What is your most treasured possession?
A: The memory of my nephew being born 14 years ago. I was unprepared for how incredible that moment would be.

Q: What is your motto?
A: Sometimes I just need to take a deep breath and remind myself that this work is hard. If it were easy, it would have already been accomplished by the many smart, talented people all over the country who care about farmers and underserved communities, and I would be working on another challenge. Remembering that help me to step back and regroup when the challenges are particularly difficult.