Staff & Board

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Hunger Solutions is a subsidiary organization of The Food Group.

The Food Group Board of Directors

Keith Narr, Board Chair
   Cargill
Kurt Johnansen
   Andersen Corporation
Bridget Hayden
   Dorsey & Whitney
Leah Porter
   Propel Nonprofit
Sharmyn Phipps
  U of M Extension
Steven P. Krikava
   Retired; formally Land O’ Lakes, Inc.
Georgi Nguyen
   Keystone Community Services
Sarah Kinney
   Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation
Lindsey Hunter
   Hennepin County
Stephanie Spence
   General Mills
Rhys Williams
   Farmer, Community Member
Sharon Roberg-Perez
   Robins Kaplin LLP
 
 

Hunger Solutions Board of Directors

 
Mary Mitchell
   Bemidji Community Food Shelf
Kurt Johansen
  Ameriprise Financial
Steven P. Krikava
   Retired; formally Land O’ Lakes, Inc.
Heather Alden
   St. Paul Public Schools
Carla Kohler
   Blue Cross & Blue Shield Minnesota
 
 

STAFF

For a full listing of our team, please visit: https://www.thefoodgroupmn.org/who-we-are/.

Sophia Lenarz-Coy, Executive Director

FAVORITE FOOD: Pizza

763-450-3864, slenarzcoy@thefoodgroupmn.org

Leah Gardner, Policy Director

Leah Gardner (she/her/hers) is Policy Director for Hunger Solutions Minnesota. Prior to that she was Campaign Manager for the Good Food Access Campaign at the American Heart Association. Leah’s career has been grounded in a commitment to racial and economic justice. She previously led grassroots efforts in policy campaigns to advance economic equity for the Minnesota Budget Project at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. She began her career managing employment training and fundraising at Project for Pride in Living. Leah is a Voices for Racial Justice Apprentice and a graduate of the Humphrey Institute with a Master of Public Policy.

FAVORITE FOOD: Cheese

651-789-9850, lgardner@hungersolutions.org

Rachel Holmes, Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement

Rachel (she/her/hers) joined the Hunger Solutions team in March 2015 after graduating from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities with a B.A. in Political Science and a Minor in Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies. An ardent proponent of systems change and social justice, Rachel firmly believes that food is a fundamental human right and works towards creating a more inclusive and just food system for all. As Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement she works to develop meaningful connections and partnerships, and drive impactful collaboration. Rachel serves as the Secretary on the Board of Directors for Neighborhood Roots, helping to bridge the work of farmers markets and food justice. When not championing for anti-hunger policy and programs, she loves to spend time with her 5 nieces and nephews, make homemade pizza in her backyard and hike Minnesota’s North Shore.

FAVORITE FOOD: Pasta

651-789-9842 – rholmes@hungersolutions.org

Michelle Tamayo, HelpLine Associate

Michelle Tamayo, (she/her/hers) is a HelpLine Associate at Hunger Solutions Minnesota. For over a decade, she has dedicated herself to supporting individuals and communities in need. From 2010 to 2014, she worked directly with children and adults with disabilities, fostering their growth and independence. This experience not only instilled in her a deep empathy for diverse needs, but also equipped her with valuable communication and problem-solving skills. Simultaneously, between 2012 and 2018, she was actively involved in South Florida’s community outreach networks, building connections and resources for those facing challenges. Upon arriving in Minnesota, she joined the United Way 2-1-1 Community Outreach program, further deepening her commitment to public service. Here, she received extensive crisis response training, allowing her to provide effective support during vulnerable moments.

FAVORITE FOOD: Thai food

651-789-9840 – mtamayo@hungersolutions.org

Abbie Joseph (Tish), Development Manager

Abbie Joseph (she/her/hers) joined Hunger Solutions in July 2013. Prior to joining our team, she was an Intern at Second Harvest Heartland where she conducted outreach providing Minnesotans with information and guidance for assistance programs including SNAP. In 2011, Abbie graduated from the University of Kansas with B.A. in American Studies and a Minor in Sociology, where she grew passionate about strengthening necessary programs and resources to protect Americans from hardship. And when not at work, she enjoys getting outdoors, spending time with family and friends.

FAVORITE FOOD: Nachos.

651-789-9848 – atish@hungersolutions.org

Najma Omar, HelpLine Coordinator

Najma Omar (she/her/hers) is a HelpLine Associate at Hunger Solutions Minnesota. Najma graduated from Hamline University in 2020 with a BA in Public Health Sciences and a Minor in Sociology. During her time at Hamline University, Najma had the opportunity to participate in numerous public health projects, community engagement, and research. Najma is interested in awareness of many public health issues such as food access, poverty, and basic needs programs.

FAVORITE FOOD: Ice Cream

651-789-9852 – nomar@hungersolutions.org

Stephanie Robinson, Statewide Food Shelf Liaison

Stephanie Robinson’s (she/her/hers) favorite thing about food is that it can easily become a catalyst for deep & meaningful human connections. She loves how sharing a meal can teach you so many things about cultures you may not be familiar with, and how food inadvertently holds pieces of history in every bite. Stephanie believes access to nutritious food is a human right and comes to Hunger Solutions after several years’ experience working directly on the front lines in the fight to end hunger. She is excited to further her advocacy on behalf of our communities. She loves listening to music and cooking in her free time.

FAVORITE FOOD: Anything sharable (and spicy!)

651-789-9849 – srobinson@hungersolutions.org

Jill Westfall, Statewide Food Access Manager

As Statewide Food Access Manager, Jill (she/her/hers) works to make sure our programs are as effective as possible in meeting the needs of Minnesotans who struggle with hunger. She manages our SNAP outreach work, which includes the Minnesota Food HelpLine, SNAP Rx, and the Market Bucks programs. An advocate at her core, Jill’s career has focused on working to improve our public systems and policies so they help individuals and families live to their fullest potential. Prior to joining Hunger Solutions, she worked in Nebraska, working in communications at Voices for Children in Nebraska and the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska. Jill holds a Bachelor of Arts from Creighton University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

FAVORITE FOOD: Anything with cheese melted on top of it!

jwestfall@hungersolutions.org

Peter Woitock, Government Relations Manager

Peter Woitock (he/him/his) is the Government Relations Manager at Hunger Solutions where he does much of our advocacy at the Minnesota State Capitol. Before joining our staff, he worked as a volunteer coordinator at Valley Outreach, a food shelf in Stillwater, Minnesota. Peter graduated in 2008 with a Masters in Advocacy and Political Leadership at the University of Minnesota – Duluth. Since then he has worked on political campaigns and in nonprofits, where Peter fights passionately to end poverty and hunger in Minnesota.

FAVORITE FOOD: Tator tot hot dish.

pwoitock@hungersolutions.org

 

 

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