Courtney Kramolis
Onalaska
Summary
Dynamic food systems and child nutrition leader with a robust background in early childhood education and a proven track record in implementing USDA Child Nutrition Programs. Expertise in crafting innovative nutrition and food systems education initiatives that emphasize hands-on learning through community food forest programming. Skilled in fostering cross-sector partnerships and spearheading community-based programs that effectively connect children and families to healthy, locally sourced foods. Committed to promoting sustainable practices and enhancing community well-being through comprehensive nutrition strategies.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Food Access Director
La Crosse Area Family YMCA
La Crosse, WI
01.2021 - Current
- Provide strategic leadership for large-scale food access and nutrition education initiatives serving thousands of children and families through USDA Child Nutrition Programs, including CACFP and SFSP, ensuring regulatory compliance, monitoring, training, and reporting.
- Oversee a federally supported community food distribution program operating in partnership with The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), ensuring regulatory compliance, coordinating food procurement and distribution, and expanding equitable access to nutritious foods for households experiencing food insecurity.
- Manage a community food forest and outdoor learning space that provides hands-on agricultural and nutrition education opportunities for youth and families, connecting local food production, environmental stewardship, and healthy eating education.
- Developed and implemented Y on the Fly, a regional mobile outreach program delivering food access, nutrition education, youth enrichment, and wellness programming to children and families across the community.
- Develop and implement experiential nutrition and wellness curriculum for children and families that incorporates seed-to-plate learning, MyPlate education, Dr. Yum, and connections to multiple dimensions of wellness.
- Supervise and develop a team of 30-plus staff and health education interns while managing program operations and service delivery across multiple community sites.
- Manage an annual operating budget of approximately 1 million dollars, including grant writing, grant management, reporting, and fiscal oversight for federally funded and philanthropic food access initiatives.
- Build and sustain partnerships with school districts, food banks, public health agencies, farms, and community organizations to expand equitable access to food and nutrition education opportunities.
- Serve as a national advisory panelist for YMCA of the USA Food Pantry and Market Innovation initiatives, contributing to the development of national resources and best practices in community food distribution.
- Lead regional collaboration and program development efforts to expand rural meal access and participation in child nutrition programs.
Nutrition Operator
Mayo Clinic Health System
La Crosse, WI
08.2020 - 12.2021
- Coordinated and executed patient service requests, adhering to physician orders through effective telephone and direct interactions.
- Supported leadership efforts to finalize corporate reporting, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Achieved high patient satisfaction through dedicated rounding efforts. Improved internal and external survey results, demonstrating commitment to quality service. Increased overall patient satisfaction by 84%.
- Applied knowledge of dietary management systems and computerized charting tools to streamline workflow and improve data accuracy.
- Cultivated strong working relationships between departments to ensure seamless patient care delivery.
- Maintained accurate inventory records and conducted regular audits to support departmental efficiency.
Operations Manager
SSM Health St. Mary’s Care Center
Madison, WI
10.2018 - 07.2020
- Oversaw departmental operations to ensure compliance with Wisconsin state regulations and CMS guidelines.
- Delivered exceptional customer service by addressing inquiries and resolving issues promptly.
- Oversaw monthly revenue tracking and operating expense management to drive financial insights. Developed comprehensive P&L statements to assess organizational performance.
- Directed procurement processes and maintained optimal inventory levels to support departmental needs.
- Oversaw assembly and distribution of patient meals, adhering to dietary guidelines and quality standards.
- Reviewed and applied written policies and procedures to uphold standards set by Wisconsin state food code and ADA manual.
- Developed and delivered comprehensive training programs to ensure staff adherence to safety protocols in food preparation and sanitation practices.
Education
Early Childhood Education
Madison College
Madison, WI2011
Child Development Associate Credential -
The Care Courses School Inc.
Skills
- USDA Child Nutrition Program Administration (CACFP and SFSP)
- Nutrition and Food Literacy Curriculum Development
- Grant Writing and Program Budget Management
- Community Partnership and Coalition Development
- Program Compliance and Monitoring
- Public Speaking and Professional Training
- Staff Leadership and Team Development
- Efficient in Microsoft 360, and Google
- Motivational Interviewing
- Strategic planning
- Verbal and written communication
Accomplishments
Awards and Recognition
- USDA Turnip the Beet Gold Level Sponsor 2023, 2024
- Coulee Region Remarkable Woman, Community Impact Award 2024
- National 30 Under 30 Emerging Leaders Award, 2022
Professional Leadership and Advisory Roles
- YMCA of the USA Anti-Hunger Thought Leader Cohort, Member, 2025-Present
- YMCA of the USA Food Pantry and Market Advisory Panel, Advisory Panelist 2024-Present
- Sustainability Institute Committee, Chair 2025-Present
- Coulee Region Child Abuse Prevention Task Force, Member 2023-Present
- HSM4A WI Coalition, Member 2024-Present
Affiliations
- YMCA of the USA Anti-Hunger Thought Leader Cohort, Member, 2023-Present
- YMCA of the USA Food Pantry and Market Advisory Panel, Advisory Panelist 2024-Present
- Sustainability Institute Committee, Chair 2025-Present
- Coulee Region Child Abuse Prevention Task Force, Member 2023-Present
- HSM4A WI Coalition, Member 2024-Present
Certification
- ServSafe Managers Certification
- ServSafe For Food Banking Certification
- Youth Mental Health First AID Certification
- OSHA Forklift Operator Certification
- HSI First Aid, CPR, AED Certification
Timeline
Food Access Director
La Crosse Area Family YMCA
01.2021 - Current
Nutrition Operator
Mayo Clinic Health System
08.2020 - 12.2021
Operations Manager
SSM Health St. Mary’s Care Center
10.2018 - 07.2020
Early Childhood Education
Madison College
Child Development Associate Credential -
The Care Courses School Inc.
Professional Presentations
- Presenter, National Child Nutrition Conference, Las Vegas 2026
- Presenter, YUSA Anti-Hunger Activation Learning Cohort 2026
- Guest Co-Host, Beyond The Bell Podcast- Building a Better Community Through Food Access 2025
- Presenter, WOSTA- Out of School Time Conference 2023
Other Related Experience
- Assistant 4K Teacher Sun Prairie, WI, YMCA Dane County July 2009 -April. 2011
- Assist in teaching students’ fundamental developmental skills in a supportive nurturing environment.