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Our Team


Chef Ann Foundation Staff

Our dedicated staff is integral to running the day-to-day operations of CAF and delivering our mission by continuously growing our reach, capabilities, and available resources. Click on the images below to learn more about each team member.

Melissa Aune

Senior Program Coordinator of the School Food Institute
Broomfield, CO

Byron Batchelor

Senior Coordinator of Research & Evaluation
Baltimore, MD

Sarah Burns

Senior Program Coordinator of California Assessments
San Diego, CA

Alejandro Castillo

Participant Experience Associate of CA Workforce Programs
Oakland, CA

Melissa Cipollone

Director of Marketing
Laughlintown, PA

Dani Chandler

Senior Marketing Coordinator
Golden, CO

Vanessa Cordeiro

Senior Technology Coordinator
Watsonville, CA

Brandy Dreibelbis

Executive Director of Culinary
Mifflintown, PA

Danielle Eliser

Senior Director of Technology & Marketing
Huntsville, AL

Juni Elston

Coordinator of Assessment
Austin, TX

Mara Fleishman

Chief Executive Officer
Boulder, CO

Alison “Ali” Friduss

Senior Director of Development
Chicago, IL

Emily Gallivan

Senior Director of CA Workforce Programs
Wheat Ridge, CO

Brenna Gilmartin

Program Coordinator of Operator Support Services
Quincy, MA

Kelsey Glass

Director of Workforce Planning
Lafayette, CO

Eriko Greeson

Program Coordinator of CA Healthy School Food Pathway
Denver, CO

Ayanna Harris

Program Associate of CA Workforce Programs
Los Angeles, CA

Lea Howe

PLANTS Project Director
Takoma Park, MD

Allison Johnson

Director of Grant & Online Programs
Cape Cod, MA

Jessica Keene

Senior Director of Assessment & Research
Jacksonville, FL

MJ Kepner

Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy
Chicago, IL

Jessica Lawrence

Senior Program Coordinator of Operator Support Programs
Smithville, MO

Mona Lindsey

Accounting Specialist
Hollywood, FL

Stephanie Lip

Senior School Food Operations Specialist
Seaside, CA

Madi Mainman

Program Administrative Associate
Denver, CO

Sal Manzo

Senior School Food Operations Specialist
Gilbert, AZ

Abigail McCrea

Coordinator of Assessment (CA)
Philadelphia, PA

Tiffany Myers

Senior Director of Human Resources
Boulder, CO

Lori Nelson

Executive Director of School Food Operations
Austin, TX

Sylvia Ng

Senior Coordinator of the School Food Institute (TA)
Boulder, CO

Redeem Pettaway

Associate of Assessment
Woodstock, GA

Tracey O’Donohue

Foundation & Development Coordinator
Longmont, CO

Rachel Reed-Sanow

School Food Operations Specialist
Golden, CO

Kim Rosenbarger

Executive Assistant to the CEO
Denver, CO

Arneisha Smallwood

Marketing Coordinator
North Carolina

Laura Smith

Executive Director of Programs
Erie, CO

Leslie Stafford

Chief Operating Officer
Boulder, CO

Andrea Vaage

Senior Specialist of Government Funding
Des Moines, IA

Eliana Valenzuela

Intern
Boulder, CO

Natalie Vandenburgh

Senior Coordinator of Fellowship
St. Paul, MN

Dustin Walker

Senior School Food Operations Specialist
Gilbert, AZ

Imari Whalen

Programs Marketing Coordinator
Los Angeles, CA

Brittany Wilder

Administrative Associate of Business Services
Westminster, CO

Courtney Williams

Program Coordinator of Operator Support Services
Athens, GA


Board of Directors

The Chef Ann Foundation (CAF) is a registered, tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, governed by a dedicated Board of Directors who share our mission. Our diverse board supports the growth of our foundation by offering guidance in key areas.

Chef Ann Cooper

President & Founder

David De La Rosa

Brava Management

Charles Dukes

Director of Social Responsibility

Kevin Emore

Oregon22 (Track and Field World Championships)

Einav Gefen

Restaurant Associates

Smitha Haneef

Harvard University Dining Services

Nathan Irons

Bluestone Life

Amy Shipley

Sterling Rice Group

Eric Span

Sweetwater Union High School District

Tom Spier

Boulder Food Group

Helene York

Culinary Institute of America


Discover More

Who We Are

The Chef Ann Foundation is dedicated to promoting whole-ingredient, scratch-cooking in schools. Scratch-cooking enables schools to serve the healthiest, tastiest meals so that kids are well-fed and ready to learn.

Our Mission

Ensure that school food professionals have the resources, funding and support they need to provide fresh, healthy, delicious, cook from scratch meals that support the health of children and our planet.

Why School Food Matters

American kids start their life-path in K–12 schools where they learn the skills necessary to thrive & meet their potential. While the country debates the best ways to teach math, science, and English, we spend little to no time on food & nutrition.

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