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

[email protected]

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.