Our Staff

John Lucero Criswell
Executive Director

John spent 10 years working with community-based organizations, assisting with social and economic equity and environment health issues in his home state of Ohio. Combining his interest in Central America with the desire to help underserved communities, John spent two years in El Salvador with the U.S. Peace Corps. After returning to the United States, John finds his skills as a project manager put to good use as he and the staff at SDHC work to educate the public about the issue of hunger and work to bring the hundreds of local hunger organizations together to tackle the issue.

Jennifer Tracy
Food Stamp Program Manager

Jennifer has been engaged in social justice issues for more than 10 years. A graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University, she has been involved in a variety of local social services. She has been instrumental in the expansion of the SDHC’s Food Stamp Outreach program, including the training of hundreds of volunteers and staff at SDHC’s partner agencies. Jennifer is working to obtain her Master’s degree in the Nonprofit Leadership & Management Program at the University of San Diego.

Cynthia Estrada
Food Stamp Program Specialist

Cynthia has worked for four years as a social worker in diverse settings and with multicultural groups throughout San Diego County. Her work experience, coupled with her education, a Master of Arts in Social Work from San Diego State University, has provided her with the necessary skills to assist individuals in obtaining self-sufficiency. In addition to Food Stamp outreach and case management, Cynthia oversees four promotoras, who assist with food stamp outreach in the community of City Heights.

Maureen Polimadei
Anti Hunger Network Manager

Maureen is a graduate of the University of San Diego and has worked in the non-profit sector for more than 15 years. She has a background in fundraising, volunteer management and community relations. She spent six years at the San Diego Food Bank, engaged in all three above-mentioned areas. Maureen is a board member for SuperFood Drive and a member of the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.