OUR TEAM
Meet the passionate people behind Slow Money SLO that bring their energy and expertise to help strengthen our local food system.
Founder & Executive Director
JEFF WADE
Since founding the local network of Slow Money in July 2012, called Slow Money SLO, Jeff enjoys meeting and working with food, beverage and farm entrepreneurs as well as folks who want to invest locally to create a better food system. Advising, facilitating financial support and helping to grow the local food system is rewarding, and the group continues to grow, feeding the soil and building the SLO region food economy. Jeff has 40 years of experience in engineering, software marketing and sales and small business industry consulting. Jeff shares his time working as a Lead Consultant with the SLO Small Business Development Center. Jeff has advised the National movement by serving on the Slow Money Kitchen Cabinet and stays in touch with other Slow Money local leaders.
Communications & Farm to School Director
CLAIRE TUOHEY-MOTE
After leaving the food science industry, Claire moved back to the Central Coast and immersed herself in the SLO County food system. After completing her Masters in Sustainable Food Systems, she joined the Slow Money SLO team in 2020. Since then, she has worked to connect local small to mid-sized farmers to regional school districts and continues to work toward building a farm to school program that is robust and sustainable. Claire is passionate about finding food system solutions that bring balance, health, and resilience to the land and community.
Harvestly Director
TARYN MOHLER
Taryn is a graduate of Cal Poly, holding a degree in Agricultural Business with a minor in Equine Science. Residing in San Luis Obispo, she lives with her husband and two sons on a horse ranch that they manage together as a family. Having grown up in this community, Taryn is grateful for her role as the Director of Harvestly, an organization dedicated to keeping local food within the community and equitable food access. Through her work, she passionately supports local small-scale farmers, ranchers, and food producers, embodying her love for agriculture and commitment to fostering a sustainable, community-focused food system.
STEERING TEAM
Advising Slow Money SLO since the early days of 2013 has been a group of avid Slow Money believers, most of whom are investors themselves and/or provide advice in various areas of business expertise. They come from Agriculture, Education, Technology, Non-Profit Leadership, Financial Management sectors and are Entrepreneurs, Community Leaders and Consultants. We are very grateful for their time, advice and direction of the years of growing Slow Money SLO.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ERIN PRIMER
President
Erin creates the menus, marketing, and nutrition education experiences for the students in her school district. She is a passionate Farm to School advocate and believes in educating youth about how food gets to their plate, while building respect for the greater food system. Erin’s beliefs align with the values of Slow Money SLO. and connecting farmers with consumers is a shared goal. In her free time, Erin enjoys exploring the Central Coast with her husband and two small children.
STACEY HUNT
Secretary
Stacey Hunt, CLA, CAS is a graduate of the Fresno City College paralegal program and works in the Collections Department at SESLOC Federal Credit Union. She is the co-author of three books for paralegals. Ms. Hunt currently teaches courses online at both Cuesta College and at Fresno City College. She is a past-president of the California Alliance of Paralegal Associations and the Central Coast Paralegal Association. She is a co-founder and CEO of Ecologistics, Inc., a San Luis Obispo-based environmental and social justice nonprofit. She has also served on the boards of the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival and the Foundation for San Luis Obispo County Public Libraries.
SUSAN STEEB
Treasurer
Susan has over 25 years of financial and operations experience. Her resume includes companies like Glu Mobile, DirecTV, Polygram, and Capitol Records. She now owns Segue Consulting Services, providing interim CFO and finance and operations management for early stage or growth companies. Susan has also developed a practice supporting early stage cleantech and sustainable products companies. She holds a BA in accounting and a pilot license, swapping out her car for a Bonanza. She and her husband enjoy travel, and have visited over 20 countries on 6 continents. Today, Susan works as CFO for All Good in Morro Bay, and with the Hothouse and Cal Poly’s CIE program.
DANIELLE RAISS
Vice President
Danielle is a jane-of-all-trades bringing personal and professional experience from a variety of different sectors and geographical locations. Her love is in the food and farm world where she has spent the last 10 years playing in the dirt building urban farms, educating youth and convincing people that beets out of the ground (instead of a can) are the best thing ever! Danielle is excited to work alongside some of the most brilliant and creative minds within our community to help grow our local food and business economies.
KAYLA RUTLAND
Member
Kayla moved to San Luis Obispo County in 2017 to work for the Public Health Department. In 2021 she transitioned to her current role as Executive Director at City Farm SLO, bringing experience from the Health Promotion Division of the SLO DPH and previous roles in nonprofit organizations. Kayla’s personal mission is to advance community health and climate resiliency by helping all people connect with food and where it comes from. She is grateful for the opportunity to work towards this mission every day. In addition to this work, Kayla enjoys trail running, mountain biking, and backpacking in our incredible Central Coast. Kayla earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutritional Science from the University of Connecticut with a minor in Sustainable Crop Production.
JAKE PRITZLAFF
Member
Since 2013 Jake has been the co-owner and CFO of Whalebird Kombucha which has been an awesome adventure and has allowed him to leverage his MBA and hone his business skills. Slow Money SLO was pivotal in enabling Whalebird Kombucha to grow into a flourishing business and it is Jake’s pleasure to help support the organization in its efforts to enhance our local food economy further. When he’s not slinging 'booch, you can find Jake spearfishing, beach camping, and/or playing games around a campfire.
MIKE MURGATROYD
Member
Mike is a former Slow Money SLO board president, and has advised on and launched dozens of new products in the natural and organic food space.
ERIC BALASH
Member
Born and raised in North East Ohio, Eric has found a new home here on the central coast. After graduating with a doctorate in physical therapy from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Eric and his fiancé moved to Morro Bay to work at Movement for Life Physical Therapy. Eric’s passion for helping people is not just about working through pain, but getting people back to doing what they love to do. This passion carries over into his new role as a board member of Slow Money SLO. He is excited to play a part in building the community’s small businesses. When Eric isn’t at the clinic, he’s probably on the golf course, paddle boarding in the marina, or hiking with his fiancé Amanda.
BAYLEE MASTERSON
Member
Baylee is the Branch Manager at Coast Hills Credit Union in San Luis Obispo. She is passionate about assisting all her clients with excellent banking services. Baylee is an enthusiastic supporter of local food and beverage and is glad to extend her support as a member of Slow Money SLO's board!
MEMBERS EMERITUS
We have been honored to have outstanding board members since we formed in 2012! These community members have lent their time, talents, and expertise to our nonprofit and we thank them for their years of service and dedication!
CAROLINE DUELL
PAVLO RUDAKEVYCH
SCOTT SECREST
LARRY KANDARIAN
