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
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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
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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
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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
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Aidan Laubacher-SmithChief of Staff 585-413-4080
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Carl Simon VP/Sr. Director of Infrastructure & Sustainability
585-413-4073
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Michael Pitts VP/Sr. Director of Distribution Center 585-413-5054
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Jes Scannell, VP/ Sr. Director of Career Empowerment Initiatives
585-413-5059
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Beth Hershel VP, Sr. Director of Development & Community Engagement
585-413-4053
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Macie McGowanDirector of Kitchen Programs
585-413-4097
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Morgan Kelly Director of Operations
585-413-4074
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Casey Holenbeck Executive Chef
585-413-4062
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Flo Clemmons Director of Community-Based Strategies
585-413-4055
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Elizabeth Woodward Director of Finance
585-413-4084
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Mark Dwyer Director of Marketing & Communications
585-413-5056
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Laura HeldDirector of Operational Compliance
585-413-4059
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
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Orlando Ortiz
RocOn Property Management, LLC
Vice Chair
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Meghan DiPasquale
Hodgson Russ, LLP
Secretary
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Orlando Ortiz
RocOn Property Management, LLC
Vice Chair
MEMBERS
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Aaron Bertram
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
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Lisa Bobo
Bolder IT Strategies
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Kimberly Braithwaite
University of Rochester
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Luis Burgos
Retired
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Bobby Colón
Rochester Institute of Technology
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Carey Corea
Retired
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Courtney Cotrupe
Partners + Napier
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Molly Cummings
True North Farm
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Nada Debbaghi
ESL Federal Credit Union
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Sarah DePeters
Wegmans
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Tonya Dickerson
University of Rochester
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Garth Hankinson
Constellation Brands
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Norm Jones
NH Jones and Associates, LLC
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Meghan Schubmehl
Wildstar Partners, LLC
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Matthew Squires
Manning Squires Hennig
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Kristian Walker
Harter, Secrest & Emery, LLP
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Dr. Edith Williams
University of Rochester
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Robert Williams
Open Door Mission
FOODLINK FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS
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Fernando Santiago
Chair
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Joseph Casion
Vice Chair
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James Grossman
Secretary
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Julie Camardo
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Tom Kane
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Arline Santiago
Key Staff Contacts
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To make a monetary donation:
Emily M. Buerkle
Annual Giving Coordinator
585-413-4078 -
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:
Maria Wehrle
Food Bank Donation Drive Coordinator
585-413-5071 -
To host a fundraising event:
Allysha Serenati
Events & Community Engagement Manager
585-413-4072
Join our team
Employment opportunities
Visit our Job Postings site to learn more about employment opportunities at Foodlink.