Shawn Stokes

About Shawn Stokes

Mid-career development professional with international project management, business development and research experience. Research methods include data analysis, survey design and implementation, focus group discussions, and interviews. Specializes in global value chain analysis, with a focus on food and agriculture industries.Other topical areas include youth development, ecosystem services, and energy and environmental policy. Multilingual, with strong cultural and interpersonal skills, and thrives on collaborating with diverse and talented team members to develop innovative solutions to complex problems.

Experience

1. Executive Chef and Owner

   Luna Rotisserie And Empanadas

   Oct 2014 — Present · Durham, NC

   With a menu that captures the unique and varied cuisines of South America, yet maintains its roots in the American South, Luna’s cuisine can best be described as “South American meets American South”. The restaurant will offer fast casual service, with a full bar serving South American inspired cocktails, wines, and North Carolina craft beers.The decision to highlight South American cuisine is the result of Stokes’ experience living and working in the region. In 2005, Shawn left the restaurant world to pursue a career in international development. He spent the next 10 years working with organizations such as the US Peace Corps, USAID, and UNICEF. Unable to stray too far from his culinary background, much of his work centered on improving global food systems, including collaborations with coffee growers in Ecuador and cattle ranchers in Brazil. In 2009, Stokes and his wife, Maria, moved to Durham and were struck by the exciting changes taking place in the city. Wanting to start a family, they soon decided to make Durham their home. It wasn’t long before Stokes could no longer resist contributing to Durham’s rapidly evolving culinary scene. Luna is the result of his love for Durham, Latin America, and delicious food.

Education

• Johnson & Wales University

  Associate of Science, Culinary Arts

  1997 — 1998

• Duke University

  Masters, International Development Policy

  2009 — 2011

• College of Charleston

  Bachelor of Science, International Business

  2003 — 2005

Skills

• Agriculture
• Latin America
• Program Management
• Political Science
• Research
• Qualitative Research
• Environmental
• Ngos
• Quantitative Analytics
• Leadership
• Community Outreach
• Capacity Building
• Economic Development
• Community Development
• Econometrics
• Report Writing
• Public Speaking
• Grant Writing
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Sustainable Development
• Spss
• Policy Analysis
• Nonprofits
• Grants
• Public Policy
• Climate Change
• Data Analysis
• Economics
• Spanish
• Environmental Management Systems
• Human Rights
• Statistics
• Quantitative Research
• Program Evaluation
• Politics
• Environmental Awareness
• Governance
• Writing
• Analysis
• Policy