4 Access Partners

Meet Our Team

Ann Fix

Founding Executive Director

Ann Fix is the Founding Executive Director of 4 Access Partners and is a seasoned entrepreneur herself and a community leader with over 15 years of experience in advising and coaching small food entrepreneurs. In 2008, she founded Local D’Lish, an award-winning specialty grocery store that served as a launching pad for countless local farmers and food artisans and played a pivotal role in accelerating the local food movement in Minnesota. In 2016, Ann transitioned to lead Minnesota’s first Food Business Incubator and Business Development programming for the Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON), a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of North Minneapolis’ entrepreneurial community. Ann was a critical driving force behind the development of a 22,000 square foot flexible commercial kitchen space/food business incubator for NEON that will house hundreds of food businesses as well as provide wrap around business advising on site.

Ann’s dedication to fostering economic vitality and building wealth in underserved communities has earned her recognition locally and nationally. She is a sought-after partner and thought leader in the field of entrepreneurship and community development.

John S. Mendesh

Retired Vice President, Research & Development
GMI Global Cereals and Long Term Research General Mills

John retired after a thirty three year career with General Mills. John held a number of Senior Level Technical positions within Operations, Engineering, and R&D.

John has been a founder or major contributor to a number of key external organizations aimed at helping others at critical junctures in their lives, including the Evans Scholarship Foundation, University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering Board of Advisors, Children’s Cancer Research Fund and perhaps most notably, Partners in Food Solutions (PFS) addressing food insecurity and poverty amongst those most in need in Africa. John continues as volunteer to PFS in a Senior Advisor Role. Most recently, John has Co-Founded 4 Access Partners, which has taken the PFS Model and is applying it in the Twin Cities, coming alongside promising women/BIPOC led Food Companies helping them establish a firm business foundation, helping them scale and sustain. John has a BA in Chemical Engineering as well as an MBA from the University of Minnesota.

Peter Erickson

Retired EVP – Innovation, Technology and Quality at General Mills

Peter Erickson brings more than 30 years of food science and organizational leadership expertise. Most recently he served as Executive Vice President for Innovation, Technology and Quality at General Mills Inc. Mr. Erickson has held a variety of technical leadership positions while establishing and leading a globally diverse team. He is credited with building a culture of industry-leading innovation, technical excellence, product quality, and food safety, resulting in invention and commercialization of advanced food and technologies that benefit the lives of consumers globally.

Peter remains active in supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and new business creation, through his service on a range of boards, advisory groups and nonprofit organizations. He serves on the board of directors for Wenger Corporation, Pantheryx and NobleGen Inc., as well as the advisory board for SEMCAP Food & Nutrition Group and the selection committee for Seeding the Future’s Global Food Systems Challenge. In addition, he is the co-founder and former board chair for Partners in Food Solutions and co-founder of 4 Access Partners. Mr. Erickson received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in food science from University of Massachusetts.

Judy Dudziak

Retired Senior Director of Innovation, Technology and Quality for the General Mills Meals and Baking Division

Judy Dudziak is a 4 Access Partners Senior Advisor focused on collaborating with local community partners to develop and activate training in support of food entrepreneurs and individuals interested in food manufacturing careers.

Recently retired after 34 years, Judy’s most recent role was Senior Director of Innovation, Technology and Quality for the General Mills Meals and Baking Division. In addition, she has held several positions within General Mills including Senior Director of Learning & Development, Director Small Planet Foods, and in ITQ Strategy & Innovation. Judy has a BS in Food Science from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Food Science from North Carolina State University.

Mila Sanchez

Director of Programming and Operations

Mila Sanchez is the Director of Programming and Operations at 4 Access Partners, where she partners with community organizations, volunteers, and industry experts to design impactful programs that empower entrepreneurs to lead and grow their businesses. Mila brings a wealth of experience as a Learning and Development professional, having worked alongside a diverse range of clients, from global Fortune 500 companies to local small businesses. Mila also oversees Operations for 4AP, ensuring high standards across the organization.

Prior to 4AP, Mila led the global onboarding and mentoring programs within the Innovation, Technology & Quality function at General Mills and developed Leadership Development training for Goodwill Easter Seals of MN.

Mila has a BA in Architecture from the University of Minnesota and a MA in Learning Design and Technology from San Diego State University. In her personal life, Mila enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two kids.

Karen Hartstrom

Retired Administrative Team Lead at General Mills

Karen Hartstrom is an administrative professional with 30+ years of experience supporting many leaders in an administrative role. Currently Karen supports the leaders at 4 Access Partners.

Prior to 4AP, Karen worked at the American Academy of Neurology before moving to the Pillsbury Company, which later became General Mills. Karen worked in Research and Development supporting leaders and Vice Presidents of many of their functions. Karen retired in August of 2021 with 25 years of service. Karen graduated from Minneapolis Business Collage. In her personal life, Karen enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and crafting tumblers.

Brandon Martinez

Program Associate

Brandon Martinez is our first Program Associate with 4 Access Partners. Prior to working at 4AP, Brandon interned at Second Harvest Heartland. Brandon has 9 years of experience studying Human Services. He has a B.S. degree in Human Services and a minor in Family Studies. He is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Human Services. Brandon is passionate about the nonprofit sector and aspires to one day open his own nonprofit organization. In his free time Brandon likes to hang out with family and friends and spend time with his cat Oreo.