Featured Speakers and Chefs

Born and raised in Honolulu, Liz Stanton-Barrera is a dedicated advocate for agricultural education and youth engagement across Hawai‘i. A graduate of Kalani High School, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from The George Washington University and a Master’s degree in Educational Foundations from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Liz began her career in education by teaching English in Japan, where she developed a passion for cross-cultural learning and curriculum delivery. Upon returning to Honolulu, she continued her work in youth education as an elementary teacher at Sacred Hearts Academy, and later as Educational Programs Director at the Japan-America Society of Hawai‘i. In these roles, she gained extensive experience in program development and implementation, volunteer coordination, and nonprofit leadership.

Now serving as Director of Grants and Education at the Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation (HAF), Liz leads HAF’s statewide agricultural education initiatives that inspire youth to connect with local agriculture, consider careers in the agricultural sector, and understand its importance to Hawai‘i’s economy, environment, and food security. She oversees the development and implementation of place-based, standards-aligned curriculum, coordinates teacher training and professional development, and fosters engagement among students, educators, and community stakeholders. She also spearheads the foundation’s efforts to secure both private and public funding to sustain and expand its programs.

Through her leadership, HAF continues to build a pipeline of future agricultural leaders and informed consumers who are equipped to support a more resilient and self-sufficient Hawai‘i.

Dr. Jeff Goodwin has served in various capacities throughout his 42-year career in Extension. He started his Extension career in his home state of Texas, serving as a county agricultural agent from the rural setting of West Texas to the urban setting of Dallas during his thirteen years with Extension in Texas. 

Jeff next served for 8 years at the University of Idaho as a state 4-H Specialist. Then from 2004-2016 he was the State 4-H Director for Colorado at Colorado State University. Dr. Goodwin has served as the State 4-H Program Leader and Associate Dean for Cooperative Extension at the University of Hawaii from 2016 to the present date.

Keith T. Hayashi is superintendent of the Hawai‘i public schools system, overseeing more than 160,000 students, 258 campuses and more than 40,000 employees. Hayashi’s 33-year career with the Department of Education spans the school, complex area and state level. He led Waipahu High School as principal since 2009, a position for which he received numerous awards, including Hawai‘i High School Principal of the Year and the collegiate Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction. He is credited with pioneering the Early College program in Hawai‘i public schools and earned the distinction for Waipahu High as the state’s first nationally recognized wall-to-wall academy model school.

Britney James grew up on a small fruit farm and ranch in Washington State and was active in FFA in high school. Her love for agriculture education grew during her experiences in FFA and while working at her local veterinary clinic. She graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor’s in Ethnic Studies and Agricultural Food Systems and has a Master’s in Business Administration from Berry College. Before moving to Hawaii to be closer to family and to help out with the family farming operations, she spent time traveling around the US viewing many different farming operations, livestock and meat processing facilities, checking out many local fairs, and showing her cows. After moving to Hawaii, Britney taught Agriculture and Business classes at King Kekaulike High School and is currently the STEMworks Program Manager for Agriculture, Education, and Business Development at Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. In this role, she runs agricultural internship programs for high school students, plans career exploration events, makes curriculum, and provides teachers with professional development opportunities. Britney also acts as the Chair of the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Pathway Advisory Council with HIDOE. Her passion is to promote the agriculture sector and to encourage more young people to pursue careers within it. When she isn’t working, she spends time with her family and works on their cattle operation. 

Natalie was raised on the North Shore of Oʻahu. She has worked in the non-profit sector for the majority of her professional career, with an emphasis in environmental education and curriculum development. Natalie loves home-grown mountain apples and enjoys ocean sports of all kinds.