Our Team
Putting people first
Every day, 100+ dedicated members of our community contribute to Foodlink’s mission of ending hunger and building healthier communities.
Leadership Team
Julia Tedesco
President & CEO
Julia Tedesco is the president and CEO of Foodlink, a nonprofit dedicated to ending hunger and building healthier communities in the Greater Rochester/Finger Lakes region of New York. Over the past decade, she has led the organization’s evolution from one of the country’s oldest food banks, to an innovative regional food hub and resource center focused on addressing the root causes of food insecurity, including chronic poverty and systemic racism.
Julia began at Foodlink in 2008, shortly after graduating with her Masters of Public Administration degree from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School. She helped launch numerous food-related programs that nourish communities and foster economic development, and later served as Foodlink’s first Chief Development and Communications Officer. She was named executive director in 2014. During her tenure at Foodlink, Julia also played a key role in the relocation of Foodlink’s facility in 2011, the relocation and expansion of its Community Kitchen in 2016, and Foodlink’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Julia also serves on the Board of Directors for the New York State Food Bank Association, Rochester Regional Health, and Healthcare for the Homeless. She lives in Rochester’s Charlotte neighborhood with her husband and three children.
Julia Tedesco
President & CEO
585-328-3380
julia@foodlinkny.org
Mitch Gruber
Senior VP / Chief Impact Officer
Mitch Gruber, Ph.D., has worked in a variety of roles for the organization since 2008. After graduating from Binghamton University, Mitch worked as a Head Start teacher for Action for a Better Community. He met Tom Ferraro while volunteering in the community and eventually came to work for Foodlink. He has filled a number of positions at Foodlink, with the common thread being expanding Foodlink’s partnerships in the communities we serve. Mitch holds a PhD in History from the University of Rochester, and has served as a member of the Rochester City Council since 2018. He lives in the city of Rochester with his wife and two sons.
Contact: 585-413-4060
Terra Keller
Senior VP / Chief Financial & Operating Officer
Terra Keller was born and raised in Rochester and Finger Lakes region. She started as an intern at Foodlink in 2009, shortly after completing her bachelor’s degree at SUNY Geneseo. In 2017, she completed her MBA from the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School and actively participates on the school’s alumni committees. Terra oversees Foodlink’s distribution center, community kitchen, facilities, and finance departments. Previously, she has served in a number of other capacities for Foodlink, including project management, event planning, and fundraising. She lives in Rochester with her husband and three young kids.
Contact: 585-413-4070
Tashanda Thomas
Senior VP / Chief People & Culture Officer
Tashanda Thomas, PHR, SHRM-CP, joined Foodlink in August of 2024 with several years of Human Resources experience working in nonprofit and for-profit sectors. She is mission-driven and serves the Rochester community through diverse roles; she is a Willow Domestic Violence Center Board Member, St. John Fisher University Alumni Board Member, Urban League of Rochester Board Member, and Commissioner for the City of Rochester Civil Service Commission. Tashanda was born and raised in Rochester. She is a St. John Fisher University and Monroe Community College graduate and is also a devoted wife and mother.
Contact: 585-413-4095
Mitch Gruber
SVP / Chief Impact Officer
Mitch Gruber has worked in a variety of roles for the organization since 2008. After graduating from Binghamton University, Mitch worked as a Head Start teacher for Action for a Better Community. He met Tom Ferraro while volunteering in the community and eventually came to work for Foodlink. He has filled a number of positions at Foodlink, with the common thread being expanding Foodlink’s partnerships in the communities we serve. Mitch holds a PhD in History from the University of Rochester, serves as a member of the Rochester City Council, and lives in the city of Rochester with his wife and two sons.
Mitch Gruber
Senior VP / Chief Impact Officer
585-413-4060
Terra Keller
SVP / Chief Financial & Operating Officer
Terra Keller was born and raised in Rochester and Finger Lakes region. She started as an intern at Foodlink in 2009, shortly after completing her bachelor’s degree at SUNY Geneseo. In 2017, she completed her MBA from the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School and actively participates on the school’s alumni committees. Terra oversees Foodlink’s distribution center, community kitchen, facilities, and finance departments. Previously, she has served in a number of other capacities for Foodlink, including project management, event planning, and fundraising. She lives in Rochester with her husband and three young kids.
Terra Keller
Senior VP / Chief Financial & Operating Officer
585-413-4070
Carl Simon
VP/Sr. Director of Infrastructure & Sustainability
585-413-4073
Meghan Ingerick
VP/Sr. Director of Community Health Initiatives
585-413-5077
Michael Pitts
VP/Sr. Director of Distribution Center
585-413-5054
Jes Scannell,
VP/ Sr. Director of Career Empowerment Initiatives
585-413-5059
Beth Hershel
VP, Sr. Director of Development & Community Engagement
585-413-4053
Macie McGowan
Director of Kitchen Programs
585-413-4097
Morgan Kelly
Director of Operations
585-413-4074
Casey Holenbeck
Executive Chef
585-413-4062
Flo Clemmons
Director of Community-Based Strategies
585-413-4055
Elizabeth Woodward
Director of Finance
585-413-4084
Mark Dwyer
Director of Marketing & Communications
585-413-5056
Laura Held
Director of Operational Compliance
585-413-4059
Aidan Laubacher-Smith
Chief of Staff
585-413-4080
Board of Directors
The Foodlink, Inc. Board of Directors is a diverse group of community leaders who are committed to leveraging their passion and expertise and guiding Foodlink toward fulfulling its mission.
OFFICERS
Bonnie DeVinney
Retired
Chair
Orlando Ortiz
RocOn Property Management, LLC
Vice Chair
Loren Flaum
Flaum Management Company, Inc.
Treasurer
Meghan DiPasquale
Hodgson Russ, LLP
Secretary
MEMBERS
Aaron Bertram
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Lisa Bobo
Bolder IT Strategies
Kimberly Braithwaite
University of Rochester
Luis Burgos
Retired
Bobby Colón
Rochester Institute of Technology
Carey Corea
Retired
Courtney Cotrupe
Partners + Napier
Molly Cummings
True North Farm
Nada Debbaghi
ESL Federal Credit Union
Sarah DePeters
Wegmans
Tonya Dickerson
University of Rochester
Garth Hankinson
Constellation Brands
Norm Jones
Retired
Meghan Schubmehl
Wildstar Partners, LLC
Matthew Squires
Manning Squires Hennig
Kristian Walker
Harter, Secrest & Emery, LLP
Dr. Edith Williams
University of Rochester
Robert Williams
Open Door Mission
FOODLINK FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS
Fernando Santiago
Chair
Joseph Casion
Vice Chair
John Smith
Treasurer
James Grossman
Secretary
Julie Camardo
Tom Kane
Arline Santiago
Key Staff Contacts
To make a donation:
Dia Allen
Development Coordinator
585-413-5051
To volunteer:
Thomas Le
Volunteer Programs & Event Coordinator
585-413-4085
For media inquiries:
Katie Bernardini
Communications Specialist
585-413-5070
To host a food drive:
Mike Henry
Community Relations Specialist
585-413-5073
To host a fundraising event:
Allysha Serenati
Events & Community Engagement Manager
585-413-4072
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Join our team
Employment opportunities
Visit our employment page to learn more about recent job openings at Foodlink.