Hunger Free Advisory Board

The Hunger Free San Diego Advisory Board is comprised of more than 30 decision-makers and experts representing emergency food providers, social service agencies, government agencies, healthcare providers, school districts, early education providers, researchers, funders, and other aligned collaboratives. The Board meets bi-monthly to provide feedback, update the Hunger Free San Diego methodology, and collaborate on ways to increase the San Diego food system. Hunger Free San Diego is facilitated by the San Diego Hunger Coalition and is an active member of the national Hunger Free Communities network facilitated by the Alliance to End Hunger in Washington, D.C.

Advisory Board Members

  • 211 San Diego:  Jessica Peter, Vice President of External Affairs; Raychel Sager, Director of Enrollment Center

  • Catholic Charities: Vino Pajanor, CEO

  • Child Care Food Program Roundtable: Elyse Homel Vitale, Executive Director

  • The Children’s Initiative: Sarah Mostofi, Operations Director

  • County of San Diego

    • Land Use & Environment: Rebeca Appel, Live Well San Diego Food System Initiative

    • Health & Human Services Agency  

      • Public Health: Naomi Billups, Public Health Nutrition Manager

      • Community Health Statistics: Chris O’Malley, Senior Epidemiologist; Joanna Hutchinson, Epidemiologist II

      • Aging & Independence Services

    • Office of Emergency Services:  Nick Thomlinson, Emergency Services Coordinator

  • Feeding San Diego: Bob Kamensky, Chief Executive Officer

  • Heaven’s Windows: Angela Kretschmar, Executive Director

  • Hospital Association of San Diego & Imperial Counties: Lindsey Wade, Vice President, Public Policy

  • Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank

  • Jewish Family Service: Kristine Stensberg, Senior Director of Nutrition and Aging Care Services

  • Kitchens for Good: Jennifer Gilmore, CEO

  • Leah’s Pantry: Adrienne Markworth, Executive Director; Dana Henderson, Director of Programs

  • Mama’s Kitchen: Alberto Cortes, Executive Director

  • Meals on Wheels: Brent Wakefield, President & CEO; Patrick Zondler, Senior Projects Director

  • North County Health Services WIC: Mary Sammer, Nutrition Services Director

  • Produce Good:  Nita Kurmins Gilson & Alexander White, Co-Executive Directors

  • Project New Village:  Diane Moss, Executive Director

  • San Diegans for Every Child: Erin Hogeboom, Director

  • San Diego Food System Alliance: Elly Brown, Executive Director

  • San Diego Hunger Coalition: Joseph Kendrick, Research Manager; Alondra Alvarado, CEO; Virginia Casey, Government Affairs Manager

  • San Diego State University, School of Exercise & Nutritional Sciences: Amanda McClain, PhD, Assistant Professor

  • San Diego Unified School District, Child Nutrition Services: Gary Petill, COO; Torin Childress, Program Manager

  • San Ysidro Health: Esther Matos, Program Manager

  • University of California San Diego

    • Center for Community Health – Blanca Meléndrez, Exec Director; SD County Childhood Obesity Initiative

    • Office of Foundation Relations – Amanda Estrada, Associate Director

  • Victory Gardens San Diego: Richard Winkler, Director

  • WIC

    • Scripps Mercy Hospital - WIC Office: Beth Clark, Director 

  • Alice Guittard, Community Advocate

  • Nicky Riordan, former staff for Feeding San Diego & San Diego Food Bank

  • Judith Shaplin, Community Advocate