Executive Board Members
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Erin Jane Illman—Chair
Erin Jane Illman is an attorney at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP. Erin grew up in rural North Carolina and spent most summers helping her parents plant and pick vegetables on their family farm. After spending more than a decade living in San Francisco after law school, Erin moved back to North Carolina with a renewed passion for local, healthy foods. Erin resides in Charlotte with her husband and two boys. eillman@bradley.com |
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Nicole Peterson—Vice Chair
Nicole D. Peterson is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at UNC Charlotte, where she addresses social aspects of environmental problems and the value of anthropology for real world problems, including food access in Charlotte. She received for PhD from the University of California, San Diego, and her BA in Biochemistry from Rice University. She was also a 2015-2016 Science and Technology Policy Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. npeterson@uncc.edu https://clas-pages.uncc.edu/nicole-peterson/ |
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Marisa Faigen—Treasurer
Marisa Faigen is a Financial Analyst at Foodbuy and has been with the company since August 2011. She has always had a passion for being involved in the community and has volunteered with various organizations such as Relay for Life and the Ronald McDonald House. She graduated from the University of South Florida magna cum laude with a BA in Finance and is currently working towards her MBA at East Carolina University. She lives with her husband and two dogs in Charlotte. mfaigen@foodbuy.com |
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Julie Covington—Secretary
As a Registered Dietitian, Julie Covington has worked in public health, clinical and education settings with a focus on the vital role of nutrition in the promotion of individual and community health and wellness. She is an Asst. Professor of Dietetics at Lenoir-Rhyne University, where her professional interests include food, nutrition and health policy, childhood obesity prevention and food security. She received her BSPH from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, MS in Foods, Nutrition and Institution Administration from Oklahoma State University, and EdD in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. She has lived in Charlotte for over 25 years and when not working enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and daughter. Julie.Covington@lr.edu |
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Maggie Bean—Director
Maggie Bean works as Communications Director for Friendship Trays, Charlotte’s meals-on-wheels organization delivering over 700 meals every weekday to recipients who are elderly or infirm. In addition she supports the mission of Friendship Gardens, its farm-to-tray program, growing healthy local produce for the organization. She is also a freelance creative director. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Maggie has over 20 years of design, branding and advertising experience, working in some of Charlotte’s top advertising agencies supporting national and international brands. Most days—when she isn’t working—she can be found experimenting in the kitchen (it’s food, it’s science, it’s FUN!), embarrassing herself at hip-hop dance classes, and walking her two beloved rescued Chihuahuas in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood. maggiethebean@icloud.com |
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Sean Langley—Director
Sean Langley serves as the Assistant Director for Off Campus and Volunteer Outreach at UNC Charlotte. In this role, Sean serves as an outreach liaison between UNC Charlotte and the wider Charlotte community. In 2014, he co-founded the Niner Student Pantry that provides UNC Charlotte students experiencing economic hardship with healthy, emergency food. In the spring of 2014, Sean’s office partnered with the Department of Sociology to lead a Habitat for Humanity service learning trip to El Salvador where students built homes side-by-side with Salvadoran families, learning about their culture and lives. He serves as an adjunct professor in the Department of Sociology where he teaches courses on race and ethnic relations and social movements. slangley@uncc.edu |
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Erin Hostetler—Director
Erin Hostetler is the Program Coordinator the Energy & Environment Innovation Foundation and Rivendell Farms of the Carolinas where she is actively involved with food systems and environmental work. Erin holds a Master of Arts in Global Ethics & Human Values from Kings College London with a focus on food ethics and has spent the last four years working as a farmer to gain the food systems experience needed to make true change in her community. As a Charlotte native, she is committed to furthering awareness of the food community in her hometown and promoting active involvement within it. Erin also owns The Patio Farmer, a consultation business where she teaches people how to grow food in small spaces. In her free time, you’ll likely find Erin with her sleeves rolled up, sweat on her brow and hands in the dirt. Ehostetler@energyenviro.org |
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Elliott Royal—Director
Elliott Royal is the Food Access Coordinator for Mecklenburg County Health Department (MCHD). She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and energy to the department and community. Improving access to healthy food remains a priority for MCHD since it plays such an important role in the prevention of chronic diseases and reduction of health disparities. She coordinates and manages health education programs that help individuals, families, and communities to improve their access to healthy food. A great accolade during her short time at the MCHD is the opening of the Rosa Parks Farmers Market at the NW Health Department location. elliott.royal@mecklenburgcountync.gov |
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Alisha Pruett—Director
Alisha Pruett has worked within social services (specifically homeless services) for over 11 years. Alisha obtained her B.A. in Psychology at Hunter College, City University of New York, and furthered her education with non-profit management and media studies at Queen Mary University of London. It was through her work in helping veterans experiencing homelessness in Charlotte, NC that she became more aware of the food insecure areas and individuals experiencing barriers to resources on a whole. She became an advocate for sustainable food systems and formed The Bulb, an organization that provides access to produce and education on how to cook and budget for a healthier lifestyle. Her other passions revolve around creative outlets, animal welfare, gardening, yoga, and simply being outside (the box). apruett@thebulbgallery.org |
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Courtney Achee—Director
Courtney Achee is an attorney at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP. She became more involved in the community through her work as a Teach For America Corps Member working in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools.She received her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law, and her B.A. in Politics from the University of California at Santa Cruz. cachee@bradley.com |
OPEN DIRECTOR POSITIONS!!
Open Director Positions!
We would love to have YOU join our dedicated and hard working board. We are looking for leaders who are willing to help us educate our community, convene and collaborate with community partners, and advocate for policies that ensure fresh and healthy food for all!
With several board members rolling off at the end of 2017 and a desire to grow our board to meet our commitments to the community, we are looking for about 4 new board members to serve 3 year terms. In particular, we are searching for the following skills:
We would love to have YOU join our dedicated and hard working board. We are looking for leaders who are willing to help us educate our community, convene and collaborate with community partners, and advocate for policies that ensure fresh and healthy food for all!
With several board members rolling off at the end of 2017 and a desire to grow our board to meet our commitments to the community, we are looking for about 4 new board members to serve 3 year terms. In particular, we are searching for the following skills:
- Accounting (We are looking for someone who can serve as treasurer and prepare us for an external audit, which will become a routine part of our fiscal responsibility as we grow).
- Public Relations/Communications (We need someone to help with press releases, strategic marketing, and solidifying our online presence)
- We'd also LOVE a farmer and/or a chef to represent the folks who feed us
