About the Speaker

Jake Johnston is the Director of International Research at the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington, DC. He has a B.A. in Economics from Boston University and an M.A. in Writing from Johns Hopkins University. At CEPR his research has focused predominantly on economic policy in Latin America, the International Monetary Fund and US foreign policy. He is the lead author for CEPR’s Haiti: Relief and Reconstruction Watch blog and his articles and op-eds have been published in outlets such as The New York Times, The Nation, The Intercept, Le Monde Diplomatique, Boston Review, and Al Jazeera. His book, Aid State: Elite Panic, Disaster Capitalism, and the Battle to Control Haiti, is now available from St. Martin’s Press.

About S2S Sugar 2 Salt

Stephanie Lee Wiitala is well known in her beloved Northern Michigan hometown as a pastry chef, visionary, hospitality creator, and leader in her role as a restaurant and catering company co-owner with her husband Jonathan Dayton. Together they own S2S Sugar 2 Salt restaurant and catering company in Traverse City Michigan.

Stephanie is also a 2011 culinary arts graduate of the NMC's Great Lakes Culinary Institute and she is extremely passionate about food and the Northern Michigan community she has lived in her entire life. Currently her entrepreneurial spirit has helped her to develop and create numerous memorable dining experiences for her guests. She is dedicated to highlighting and supporting her local community, and taking an honest approach to sustainability in a strong reliance on using local and seasonal ingredients and products in all that S2S creates.