Ellyse has worked within the greater San Diego food community since she moved here in 2015. Originally from Massachusetts, Ellyse's background as a Culinary Gardener and fermentation specialist led her to a position at Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center. She holds a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell in Psychology but found her real passion was growing food, cooking with it and sharing it with the community. Ellyse is interested in the local food movement and how that can support food justice, economic justice and a thriving food system.

Her relationship with Fishful Future since its inception in 2021 has led to the offering of an annual whole fish cooking class at Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center, where the community of National City and wider San Diego can get hands-on experience with local species.