Judiann Carmack-Fayyaz
Judiann Carmack-Fayyaz is a celebrated advocate for sustainable food systems, education,
and community engagement. As Executive Director of Stony Brook University’s FoodLab,
she leads initiatives promoting interdisciplinary curricula, experiential learning,
and community programming to advance food equity and sustainability. A published author
of the Delicious Nutritious FoodBook, Judiann has co-founded the Edible School Gardens
network and serves on the New York State Council on Hunger and Food Policy, and the
New York State Task Force on Community Gardens. Her accolades include the Schneps
Media Power Woman of the East End Award (2023), the Angel Award for Community Service
(2018), the USDA Excellence in Teaching Agriculture Award (2016), and New York State
Teacher of the Year (2016). Through leadership roles in Slow Food and partnerships
with local communities, she champions small-scale farming, regional food culture,
and innovative programs bridging agriculture and economic development. With degrees
in Educational Leadership, Agriculture, and French, Judiann brings a unique interdisciplinary
approach to her work. She has been a long-time resident of Southampton, NY.
Core Team
Wendy Pearson
Wendy Pearson leads the Southampton campus of Stony Brook University, where she works to grow FoodLab both as a signature institutional program and as a hub for community engagement, collaboration, and innovation. As Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Executive Director of Stony Brook Southampton, she brings together campus, community, and industry partners to expand FoodLab’s role in advancing sustainable food systems, supporting local and regional agriculture, and fostering entrepreneurial opportunities that connect research, practice, and education.
In her broader institutional role, Pearson partners with university leaders to move forward Stony Brook’s strategic priorities, including implementation of the university’s strategic plan and support for Stony Brook’s role as anchor institution of The New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island.
Sarah Reilly
Sarah Reilly’s commitment to sustainable food systems and environmental stewardship
is rooted in growing up on the North Fork of Long Island, where local farms and seasonal
agriculture shape the community. She has participated in conservation initiatives
including horseshoe crab tagging and monitoring programs and helped implement a community
composting effort supporting local waste reduction. As Administrative Assistant at
Stony Brook University’s FoodLab, Sarah contributes to program coordination, communications,
and operational initiatives that advance community-centered agriculture and long-term
resilience. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing from Stony Brook
University and previously worked professionally with horses as a competitive rider
and instructor, balancing hands-on leadership with her academic career. Her background
reflects a practical, grounded commitment to conservation, organization, and strengthening
locally rooted systems.
Brian Halweil
Brian Halweil is a thought leader in the regenerative food and agriculture sector with more than three decades of experience as a storyteller, trend spotter, investment analyst, and impact leader. His work has consistently focused on advancing a more resilient, transparent, and regenerative food system. As Farm and Greenhouse Manager at Stony Brook University’s FoodLab, Brian oversees growing operations and supports programming that connects community education with hands-on agricultural practice. He has also worked with venture funds in the food and agriculture space to identify and analyze companies driving meaningful systems change. Earlier in his career, Brian served as editor and publisher of Edible East End and other Edible publications in the New York metro area. He is the author of books, essays, and articles on food and agriculture, serves on the board of Food Tank, and maintains a garden with his family in Sag Harbor.
Founders
Robert Reeves
FoodLab co-founder Robert Reeves has led the design, development, and growth of the
academic, advanced training, publishing, and community programs that have been recently
gathered within the new Lichtenstein Center, serving as Associate Provost for 17 years.
Spanning three Stony Brook locations –Southampton, West Campus and the Manhattan Center
for Creative Writing and Film – these programs include not only FoodLab, founded in
2014, but four new degrees and three minors in Creative Writing, Film, and Writing
for TV, a nationally prominent literary journal (TSR: The Southampton Review), innovative training in podcast and manuscript development (BookEnds), all supported
in part by fundraising, including the Lichtenstein Reeves Endowment Fund. Reeves is
also the author of two well-regarded novels, as well as screenplays, short fiction,
essays, and literary criticism.
Geoffrey Drummond
Co-founder Geoffrey Drummondis a producer/director of culinary programs for television and digital media applications. Over a 40 year career in film and television, Geof was president of Saga Productions (producer of the cult classic My Dinner with Andre) and president of A La Carte Communications, where he produced and collaborated with Julia Child, helping to bring food and cooking television to generations of culinary fans. Geof also created/produced food series for TV starring Lidia Bastianich, Jacques Pépin, Martin Yan, The Frugal Gourmet, America’s Test Kitchen, Eric Ripert and numerous others. Geof is the recipient of ten National Emmy Awards and more than a dozen James Beard Awards. A graduate of Cornell University and Stanford University, he is a member of the Smithsonian Institute Kitchen Cabinet, has served as a member of the City Harvest Food Council, and on the boards of the Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital and the American Institute of Food and Wine.
