I am text block.
I am text block.
Stephanie Taylor worked for 35 years in social services and have seen directly the effect of hunger in her community. She was formerly a Program Manager for United Way of Greater New Bedford at the Family Resource and Development Center. Her work now involves applying that to using fruits and vegetables to combat the disease in our community through the Martha’s Vineyard Vegan Society. Stephanie is Chair Commissioner of Bristol County Commission on the Status of Women (BCCSW), the Executive Administrator for Martha's Vineyard Vegan Society, a Cannabis Patient Care Specialist for NETA, and Leadership Southcoast Alumni.
Sullivan is the Director of Development for Coastline Elderly in New Bedford. Prior to that, Christine specialized in animal nutrition and helping farmers maximize performance. Christine received a master’s degree from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and have worked in the area of public health and nutrition for the past 6 years. She has managed a small business, worked in a large corporation, and found her niche in the non-profit sector.
Robert Shaheen graduated from Westfield University with B.S. in Finance and Business. He had worked for 25 years as a General Manager between Uno Chicago Grill, Panera Bread, and Friendly's. He is a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official. He has been a School Nutrition Association Member, a Director of Food Services Wareham Public Schools and currently the Director of Food Services since 2018 with the New Bedford Public Schools.
Lisa Rahn is the Community Outreach Director at YMCA Southcoast where she coordinates the Full Plate Project, the Y’s partnership with the Greater Boston Food Bank. Having previously managed a chronic disease prevention program for the Florida Department of Health, she is passionate about educating people on the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and increasing the accessibility of nutritious food.
Gioia Persuitte is an epidemiologist that specializes in nutrition, lifestyle and behavioral interventions, and chronic diseases, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. She has designed and conducted lifestyle and behavioral interventions for over ten years. Gioia’s vision is that all individuals have access to science-based nutrition data and that the distillation of this information is easy to understand and culturally competent to ensure all individuals are empowered in their food and lifestyle endeavors. Gioia currently works at the New Bedford Health Department in Substance Use Prevention.
Dave Perry is currently the President of the Greater Fall River Community Food Pantry. He is a retired Manager from Shaw's Supermarkets after a 35-year career. He lives in Tiverton R.I. with my wife of 50 years Patricia and have 3 daughters and six beautiful grandchildren.
Stephanie Perks started her career working on a farm, learning about our farmers' agricultural realities. She became a Registered Dietitian, studying at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy. She worked at Mass in Motion Bedford to find the root causes of chronic diseases that were ailing people. She also worked at Southeastern MA Food Security Network (now the Southcoast Food Policy Council), tackling food access inequities. She co-founded Coastal FoodShed, which has created different market channels and supply chains for farmers and food producers to sell more locally grown/made food through Southeastern MA. Stephanie also serves on the Board of SEMAP and the New Bedford Local Cultural Council.
Jim McKeag, originally from central Massachusetts, Jim has more than 20 years of experience in the fields of historic preservation, rehabilitation, and property management. Jim holds undergraduate degrees from Quinsigamond Community College and Cornell University, and a master’s degree in urban and environmental policy and planning from Tufts University. Since 2016 Jim has worked with cross-sector coalitions to develop and advance targeted redevelopment strategies in New Bedford and Fall River as part of MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative. As a trained mediator, Jim has served in the Massachusetts district court system and has a passion for working on challenging multi-sector initiatives focused on urban revitalization and economic development. Over the years he has volunteered on a wide variety of community development projects and working with several nonprofits to help create vibrant and engaging public spaces.
Leimary M. Llopiz is an Advocacy Coordinator at the YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts to facilitate the mobilization of public support and action related to our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women, and providing information about how people can take action. Leimary is also co-chair for the Advocacy Committee of the Greater New Bedford Youth Alliance (GNBYA), and serves on its Executive Committee, and a member of the Southcoast Food Policy Council. Leimary also volunteers at Round the Bend Farm, at the YWCA food distribution program, The Clothesline Project, the Common Start Coalition as the Southeastern Massachusetts’ Regional Coordinator, and The Menstrual Access Advocacy Project. Leimary hopes to continue to learn as much as possible so that she can utilize her knowledge to give back to her community.
Dale Leavitt is a retired Emeritus Professor of Marine Biology from Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI. He spent twenty-two years at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Aquaculture Extension Specialist at Cape Cod Cooperative Extension. His entire professional career has focused on aspects of shellfish biology and culture. He continues as a principal in an engineering consulting company designing seawater systems for research/educational facilities and is a partner in two shellfish/kelp farms in Fairhaven and Mattapoisett, MA.
Sarah Labossiere formerly worked as Coordinator for Mass in Motion, Fall River, which seeks to increase all residents' healthy eating and active living opportunities. Sarah focused on pedestrian and cyclist safety, food security, park and open space advocacy, and farmers' market support. The expansion and deepening of equity throughout these areas were integral to her work. Sarah enjoys walks in nature, camping, and biking long distances.
Pam Kuechler has served as the Executive Director of PACE, Inc., the Community Action Agency serving greater New Bedford, since July 2018. She rejoined the PACE family after 6 years as Executive Director of the Massachusetts Head Start Association. Prior to her time at MHSA, she spent 17 years working in PACE, Inc.’s Child Care Work’s Program. Over the course of her career, she has participated in policy and systems development at the federal, state, and local level focused on topics related to supporting and providing opportunities for vulnerable populations. She received a BA in Psychology from the University of New Hampshire. She is a lifelong Southcoast resident and proud mom of two grown children and two dogs.
Jowaun Gamble is the Founder and CEO of Community Youth Empowerment, a visiting lecturer at Bridgewater State University and a Clinical Supervisor for Youth Villages. I am a community leader and advocate for Wareham, MA. I love to provide guidance, support and resources to families and youth.
Darlene Dymsza is the Program Director for New Bedford WIC Program for the past 34 years. She is a registered dietitian who wants to improve birth outcomes with healthy, culturally accessible food. Darlene also offer moms tips on how to improve the health and well-being of the family. It is important for our diverse population to have access and enough resources to feed their family.
Marissa Perez-Dormitzer has served as the Waste Reduction Manager for the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District for 22 years. She works with the District’s two member communities - New Bedford & Dartmouth - to educate residents about waste reduction, implement new programs, and apply for & manage grants. Marissa graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering.
Rachel Davis has five years of successful leadership in health care and currently serves as the Director of Southcoast Health’s Community Health & Wellness Department. She specializes in building and maintaining positive community relations across various sectors, and leading programs to advance population health and reduce health disparities across the south coast region. Rachel believes strongly that all individuals should have equal opportunity to achieve their full personal potential and is committed in her work to improve community health and wellness, especially in at-risk or underserved populations.
I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
