Stephen Ussery
Meet Stephen:
Stephen brings a unique blend of technical, entrepreneurial, and field experience to his work with agricultural organizations. With a degree in agricultural engineering from Purdue University and a background in business and marketing, he has helped over 150 clients secure millions in grant funding and build resilient, sustainable operations.
His early hands-on work with smallholder farmers during his Peace Corps service shaped his approach to inclusive, community-centered development. Since then, Stephen has advised on national strategies, launched three businesses, and supported a wide range of nonprofits and producer groups through program design, business planning, and grant writing.
In 2021, he founded Stewards Unlimited to help farmers and food system leaders access the resources they need to grow with confidence. He thrives on turning big ideas into practical, fundable plans — and enjoys wrestling his six nieces and nephews when he’s home in Chattanooga.
Fun Fact
Stephen enjoys training in Brazilian Ju-jitsu, and uses what he learns to absolutely decimate his eleven nieces and nephews when wrestling.
Meet Daniella:
Daniella brings over a decade of experience supporting farmers and food system organizations through program development, grant writing, and community partnerships. With a background in architecture and sustainability from the University of Texas at Austin, she shifted her career toward agriculture by helping establish the UT Micro Farm and later leading programs at Plant It Forward in Houston.
Now at Stewards Unlimited, Daniella combines her program management and grantwriting expertise to help producers and nonprofits access critical funding and grow resilient operations. Certified in organic crop inspection, she brings a systems-minded approach to every project. Outside of work, she enjoys playing violin in community ensembles and exploring new ways to connect food, culture, and place.
Fun Fact
Daniella plays violin in a San Francisco community orchestra and volunteers at local food justice events.
Daniella Lewis
Carol Olson
Meet Carol:
Carol brings more than 25 years of experience helping nonprofits, municipalities, businesses, and individuals secure funding through strategic grant writing and resource development. With strong agricultural roots and a degree in organizational communication and marketing from Creighton University, Carol offers a practical, grounded perspective shaped by both lived experience and professional expertise.
Over the course of her career, Carol has researched, written, and managed successful grant proposals for public agencies, private foundations, and corporations. In recent years, she has narrowed her focus to supporting farmers, ranchers, and organizations across the agricultural industry, helping them access funding to expand operations, strengthen sustainability, and achieve long-term goals. Her work reflects a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing rural and agricultural communities.
At Stewards Unlimited, Carol is known for her collaborative approach and for guiding clients through the funding process with clarity and confidence. She excels at translating complex ideas into clear, compelling proposals and connecting clients with the right resources to advance their projects. Her work is grounded in thoughtful strategy, strong storytelling, and a genuine commitment to helping agricultural and community-based initiatives succeed.
Fun Fact
Based in Nebraska, Carol is an avid equestrian and swimmer. Some of her best ideas come while on horseback or swimming laps.
Meet Maria:
Maria is a grant strategist and food systems expert with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations secure funding, lead social science research, and build equitable, community‑centered technical assistance initiatives. Her background spans USDA service, nonprofit program and grants management, agricultural extension education, and entrepreneurial innovation and networking.
Maria’s career began as the founding partner of Healcrest Urban Farm, an urban farm social enterprise that transformed vacant land into a hub for value-added products and community engagement. This entrepreneurial foundation continues to inform her systems‑thinking approach and her belief in community‑rooted solutions.
Now at Stewards, Maria specializes in translating complex ideas into compelling proposals, co-designing fundable projects, and aligning organizational goals with federal, state, and philanthropic priorities. You will see her stewarding your Value-Added Producer Grant, state grant or supporting nonprofit clients in their grant development process!
Fun Fact
Maria is a science-fiction and fantasy fan and some of her favorite characters are magical women including Garnet from Steven Universe, Zeniba from Spirited Away, and The Scarlet Witch from the MCU.
Maria Graziani
Valerie Skinner
Meet Valerie:
Valerie is a project manager at Stewards Unlimited who focuses on strengthening business systems and operational processes for Stewards Unlimited and its clients. With a background in marketing, operations, project and program management, Valerie brings a structured, systems-level perspective to complex work. Her approach emphasizes thoughtful process design, practical implementation, and operational efficiency to ensure that projects and client engagements run smoothly and sustainably.
Fun Fact
Valerie loves birds. She has three pet parrots and her dream is to have chickens of her own someday too!