OUR BOARD
Food Forward Board of Directors
Mark Rhein
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Betty Zamorano-Pedregon
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Pam Kaizer, Honorary Board Member
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“I believe that I have a duty and moral obligation to my community, which is much larger than the small bubble I live in. My involvement with Food Forward enables me to contribute to the health, vitality, success, and opportunity of the greater whole. All boats rise in a high tide.” – Scott Jarus, Former Chair, Board Member
Council of Advisors
Laura Avery
Former Farmers Market Supervisor, Santa Monica
Lisa Brenneis
Co-Founder, Churchill Orchard, Ojai
Carl Buratti
Owner, Empowered Engineering Group, Inc
Jim Churchill
Owner, Churchill Orchard, Ojai
Erica Dent
Senior Project Manager, AltaMed
Anthony E. Ghosn
Information Technology Expert
Nike Irvin
Managing Director, Civil Society Fellowship of the Aspen Institute
Carrie La Londe
Chief Operating Officer, Valley Fruit and Produce
Cindy Lee
Field Representative, U.S. House of Representatives, California 27th Congressional District
Neil Newman
Consumer Products Marketing & Branding Executive. Proud “Can-It” Graduate
Betsy O’Brien
Industry Executive, Healthcare, Higher Education, Nonprofit Banking, JPMorgan
Jill Overdorf
Director of Business and Culinary Development, Corp. Chef, Coosemans LA Shipping
Maxine Pollack
Retired CFO & Business Executive
Diana Rodgers
ED/Manager Mar Vista Certified Farmers Market
Evan Schlesinger
Consultant, specializing in the food and beverage industry
Iesha Siler
Public Health Professional
Nancy Volpert
Director of Public Policy, Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles
Council of Advisors: Ventura County
Rod Cordova
Assistant Analyst, Public Works Department, Sustainability Division
Tobie Mitchell
Environmental Specialist, County of Ventura Public Works Agency, Integrated Waste Management Division
Chris Sayer
Farmer, Petty Ranch
Suki Sir
Marketing and Fund Development Manager, The Turning Point Foundation
Sarene Wallace
Food Journalist and Marketing Professional
“From the outset, this simple yet brilliant idea—to rescue and donate produce—struck me as both obvious and achievable. Millions and millions of pounds and thousands of volunteers later, Food Forward has far exceeded expectations, efficiently and exponentially. It’s the organization I’m proudest to be associated with.” – Sarah Spitz, Kitchen Cabinet
Culinary Advisory Board
Matthew Biancaniello – Eat Your Drink
Clemence Gossett – The Gourmandise School
Evan Kleiman – Good Food on KCRW
Roxana Jullapat and Daniel Mattern – Friends and Family
Michelle Lainez – Chef Michelle & Company
Josh Lurie – Food GPS
Annie Miler – Clementine Bakery, Cafe & Catering
Minh Phan – porridge & puffs
Laurie Porter – Smog City Brewing
Jocelyn Ramirez – Todo Verde
Henry Tarmy and Anthony Caspary – Ventura Spirits Company
David Thorne – Elysian
Kitchen Cabinet
Edna R.S. Alvarez – Retired Attorney and Founder, First Friday Ideas Salon
Margaret Bach – Founding President, Los Angeles Conservancy
Jesse Gilbert – Founder, Dark Matter Media LLC
Joan Hanawi – Social Impact Manager, Lyft
Gay Yee Hill – Media Relations Specialist, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Erica Kopmar – Former Harvest Coordinator and Founding Board Member, Food Forward
Mary MacVean – Journalist
Paul Robbins – Founder, British Garden Company
Karen Sillas – Actress
Sarah A Spitz – Former Publicity Director KCRW, Master Gardener, & Master Food Preserver
