James D. Weill, President
Jennifer Adach, Senior Manager, Media and Content Marketing
Mike Ambrose, Web Communications Coordinator
Signe Anderson, Senior Child Nutrition Policy Analyst
Alexandra Ashbrook, Director of Special Projects and Initiatives
Lauren Badger, Anti-Hunger Program Associate
Colleen Barton Sutton, Communications Director
Susan Beaudoin, Senior Development Associate – State Initiatives
Kiecia Cooper, Receptionist
Rashan A. Datcher, Human Resources Associate
Crystal FitzSimons, Director of School and Out-of-School Time Programs
Wendy Forbes, Content Writer/Technical Editor
Stephanie Green, SNAP Outreach Associate, D.C. Hunger Solutions
Heather Hartline-Grafton, Senior Nutrition Policy and Research Analyst
Clarissa Hayes, Child Nutrition Policy Analyst
Geraldine Henchy, Director of Nutrition Policy and Early Childhood Programs
Patrilie Hernandez, Anti-Hunger Program Associate
Jessie Hewins, Senior Child Nutrition Policy Analyst
Tam Lynne Kelley, MSW, Anti-Hunger Program Associate, Maryland Hunger Solutions
Jacqui Kobily, Staff Associate
Brooke McCauley, Senior Manager, Anti-Hunger Programs, Maryland Hunger Solutions
Sara McGovern, Social Media and Community Engagement Associate
Etienne Melcher, Senior Child Nutrition Program Coordinator
Denise Odell, Executive Assistant
Richard Ryans, CPA, Director of Finance
Mieka Sanderson, Child Nutrition Policy Analyst
Alan Sharpe, Technology Coordinator
Kate Sims, Government Relations Associate
Marko Stankovic, Development Assistant
Ellen Teller, Director of Government Affairs
Polly Thibodeau, Senior Manager of Foundation Relations
Rachel Tucker, Anti-Hunger Program Associate, Maryland Hunger Solutions
Ellen Vollinger, Legal/Food Stamp Director
Barbara Western, Director of Human Resources and Operations
Beverley Wheeler, Director, D.C. Hunger Solutions
Michael J. Wilson, Director, Maryland Hunger Solutions
Patrick Youngblood, Director of Development
Jim WeillJim Weill has been President of the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) since February 1998. Jim has devoted his entire professional career to reducing hunger and poverty, protecting the legal rights of children and poor people, and expanding economic security, income and nutrition support programs and health insurance coverage.
Prior to joining FRAC, he was at the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) as Program Director and General Counsel. He led CDF’s efforts in 1985 that produced the first major expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit, oversaw CDF’s Medicaid expansion, child care, and child support enforcement reform efforts, and was a key leader of the campaign to pass the Children’s Health Insurance Program in 1997.
Before CDF, Mr. Weill was Deputy Director and Director of Federal Litigation at the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago. He litigated major law reform and class action cases in the federal court of appeals and Supreme Court on Social Security, Medicaid, AFDC, SNAP/Food Stamps and other public benefits issues, and the rights of children born out of wedlock.
Mr. Weill is chair of the board of directors of the Alliance for Justice Action Council and is a member of the boards of OMB Watch and the National Center for Youth Law. He serves on the advisory council to the National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education and Families. He has served as a member of the U.S. delegation to the UNICEF Executive Board.
Jennifer joined FRAC in July 2006 and is senior manager, media and content marketing. She is charged with developing FRAC’s communications strategy, from managing press outreach to disseminating publications and materials. Jennifer has had extensive experience in translating government regulations and programs into easily-understood materials for a variety of audiences. Her previous experience includes working at Save-A-Lot as its community relations and government programs project manager, where she developed SNAP/Food Stamp outreach events to raise local awareness of the program and help individuals apply for the program, and The Welfare to Work Partnership as its media relations manager. She holds a BA in English from Catholic University.
Mike joined FRAC in January 2008. As web communications coordinator, he is responsible for maintaining and updating the FRAC Web site, and the sites for D.C. Hunger Solutions and Maryland Hunger Solutions. He also writes and distributes the weekly FRAC News Digest.
Mike has more than twenty years of national nonprofit communications, program management, development and conference planning experience. His background includes extensive education and public health program work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. He received the “Optimal Oral Health for All” award from the American Association of Public Health Dentistry, and writing awards from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation.
Mike has a BA in Arts and Humanities from the University of Maryland, and an MS in Telecommunications from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
Signe joined FRAC in 2010 and is the senior child nutrition policy analyst. She works with local, state and national governments as well as with anti-hunger organizations to expand the use of child nutrition programs. Her focus is to increase participation in afterschool and summer nutrition programs.
Before joining FRAC, Signe was program coordinator at Visions in Action, an international development organization in Washington, D.C. that advocates for human rights, education, and HIV/AIDS prevention.
Signe earned a Masters of Science in Food Policy and Nutrition from Tufts University and a Bachelors of Arts in French and Russian Literature from Saint Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.
Alex serves as the Director of Special Projects and Initiatives. Previously, Alex was director of D.C. Hunger Solutions, an anti-hunger, anti-poverty nonprofit in the District and an initiative of FRAC. She works to end hunger and improve the nutrition, health, economic security, and well-being of low-income families in the nation’s capital. She leads and participates in many city-wide coalitions and most recently, was appointed as chair of the D.C.’s Mayor’s Commission on Food and Nutrition in September 2009.
Alex, who joined FRAC in January 2007 as the director of D.C. Hunger Solutions, brings extensive advocacy experience to her role, much of which has focused on the needs of vulnerable youth. While at Georgetown Law School’s D.C. Street Law Project, Alex supervised law students teaching at D.C. public high schools. She spent the last ten years working at Street Law, the national nonprofit dedicated to transforming democratic ideals into citizen action. Alex received her JD and LLM from the Georgetown University Law Center.
Lauren joined D.C. Hunger Solutions in December 2014 as an Anti-Hunger Program Associate. In this role, she is responsible for work to improve SNAP participation and policies and help reduce senior hunger.
Before coming to DCHS, Lauren’s worked focused on community nutrition outreach and research on gerontology and government nutrition programs. Her graduate thesis work consisted of developing an advocacy training program to increase SNAP participation among older adults in Georgia. She also worked in state government at the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, where she administered SNAP-Ed (food stamp nutrition education) and SNAP Outreach programs.
Lauren has a BS in both Dietetics and Consumer Foods from the University of Georgia and an MS in Foods and Nutrition from the University of Georgia. Lauren also completed the Dietetic Internship at the University of Georgia to become a Registered Dietitian.
Colleen joined FRAC in October 2014, as communications director. In this role, she spearheads the development and implementation of a multi-faceted strategic communications framework to help advance the organization’s mission to end hunger in America.
Prior to FRAC, Colleen was the founder and principal of Red Jacket Communications, LLC, a boutique public relations and event firm. Colleen designed and executed strategic communications plans for global and national policy and program initiatives, research reports, brand development, fundraising promotions, product launches and major events. Her clients included government contractors, small businesses and international and national nonprofits. In her previous work with nonprofits, including Catholic Charities USA, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and Save the Children, Colleen created and implemented communications efforts that increased awareness, advocacy and greater investment in programs and services aimed at underserved populations. At Save the Children, she built a media program in a newly created public affairs department, and led the U.S. agency’s media response to major humanitarian crises, including post-911, the Indian Ocean Tsunami and Haiti Earthquake as well as the agency’s first advocacy-awareness campaign, Every Mother, Every Child and its signature research report, The State of the World’s Mothers.
She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Homestretch, a nonprofit in Northern Virginia that helps transition families out of homelessness.
Colleen received her BA in English, with a public relations concentration, from the State University of New York at Fredonia.
Susan joined FRAC in September 2012 and is senior development associate – state initiatives. She is responsible for fundraising activities to support FRAC’s state-based initiatives, D.C. Hunger Solutions and Maryland Hunger Solutions.
Prior to joining FRAC, Susan served as coordinator of the Food and Health Network of South Central New York, program assistant with the Washington Youth Garden, and administrative assistant with the Rural Health Network of South Central New York. Susan holds a BA in Political Science with a minor in African and African Diaspora Studies from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
Kiecia serves as the office receptionist and also supports all departments with various administrative tasks. Kiecia has over 10 years of experience in providing administrative and clerical support to various nonprofit and corporate organizations. She is currently pursuing a BS degree in Criminal Justice from Trinity University in Washington DC with plans to attend law school.
Rashan joined FRAC in May 2011 and is FRAC’s human resource associate. In this role, Rashan works closely with the director of human resources and operations on a variety of office procedural, HR-related and administrative fronts. She also coordinates processes related to position openings and coordinates the internship program.
Rashan has a BA in Business Administration from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta Georgia and an MA in Human Resource Management from The Catholic University of America in Washington DC.
As director of school and out-of-school time programs, Crystal directs FRAC’s work on the child nutrition programs that serve school-age children. She analyzes policy to advocate for legislative and regulatory improvements to increase low-income children’s access to the nutrition programs. She helps develop strategy and direct field efforts to achieve program improvements. She provides technical assistance, conducts training, and develops materials for national, state, and local organizations. She frequently speaks at national afterschool conferences and meetings. Crystal is the author or co-author of numerous publications, including Hunger Doesn’t Take A Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report (2009). Her previous work experience includes the Center for Community Change as a policy analyst on transportation issues and Housing Comes First, Missouri’s statewide low-income housing coalition, as director of tenant organizing. She holds a BA in Philosophy and Sociology from Carroll College and a MSW from Washington University.
Wendy joined FRAC in September 2015 as content writer/technical editor. In this role, she is responsible for promoting FRAC’s mission, its brand and its programs through media, publications, events, and online communications. She also edits and writes content across a range of platforms that compellingly convey FRAC’s mission, proposals, positions, work, and leadership.
Wendy has over fifteen years of project management and federal government experience in both domestic and international arenas. She has also served as a writer, editor, teacher, and liaison to bridge professional and cross-cultural interests.
Wendy has a B.A. in English and Political Science from the University of Minnesota-Morris, and a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University.
Bio to come.
Heather is a senior nutrition policy and research analyst at FRAC. Heather’s work primarily focuses on obesity, dietary quality, and health outcomes among low-income and food insecure children and families, with emphasis on how the federal nutrition programs improve health, nutrition, and well-being. She also is actively involved in FRAC’s ongoing research on food hardship and food access.
Heather, who joined FRAC in January 2009, has a rich background in nutrition policy research, obesity prevention, and healthy eating strategies, including her prior work at the American Cancer Society, Mathematica Policy Research, and Tulane University. Heather is a Registered Dietitian and holds honors bachelors’ degrees in nutritional sciences and dietetics from the University of Delaware, a MPH in nutrition from the University of North Carolina, and a DrPH in community health sciences from Tulane University.
Clarissa Hayes joined FRAC in February 2015 as a child nutrition policy analyst. She works with anti-hunger organizations as well as with local, state and national governments to expand the use of afterschool and summer nutrition programs.
Before joining FRAC, Clarissa was an anti-hunger program associate at Maryland Hunger Solutions (an initiative of FRAC) and worked to increase participation in the child nutrition programs across the state. She has also completed two years of national community service through AmeriCorps NCCC and AmeriCorps VISTA.
Clarissa earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin.
Geri is the director of nutrition policy at FRAC. Geri’s work focuses on the nutrition policies, such as increasing the healthfulness of nutrition programs, necessary to reach the goals of eradicating domestic hunger and improving the nutrition and health of low-income individuals and families.
Geri is a member of the Institute of Medicine’s Committee to Review the Child and Adult Care Food Program Meal Requirements which has the task of creating nutrition standards to bring the meals served into compliance with the Dietary Guidelines. Geri is the current chair of the policy committee of the American Public Health Association’s Food and Nutrition Section. She currently serves on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Management Improvement Task Force.
She has been honored to receive awards for her work on the Child Nutrition Programs from the Sponsors Association, the National Sponsors Forum and the California Roundtable. Most recently, the National Association of Family Child Care honored Ms. Henchy with their Advocate of the Year Award.
Geri is the author of numerous policy briefs on the federal Child Nutrition programs. She has co-authored a number of publications including Making WIC Work for Multicultural Communities: Best Practices for Outreach and Nutrition Education, Time for a Change: WIC Food Package Guide, WIC In Native American Communities: Building a Healthier America, and WIC Partnerships and the Nurturing Parent. Ms. Henchy is also the author of a number of web-based tools including most recently the Child Care Wellness Tool Kit: Child and Adult Care Food Program.
She is a registered dietitian and has an MPH in nutrition from the University of California, Berkeley.
Patrilie joined DC Hunger Solutions in December 2014 as the Anti-Hunger Program Associate for Child Nutrition Programs. Her role is working to increase participation and improve benefits in the child nutrition programs in the District of Columbia through advocacy, research, outreach, technical assistance, public education and program monitoring. As part of the D.C. Hunger Solutions team, she also works to advance the overall goals of the initiative, to support the efforts of partner coalitions, and to address broader food security issues in Washington, D.C.
Patrilie has more than five years of experience working in food insecurity and nutrition education. Her work started as an undegraduate at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis. Patrilie volunteered to coordinate several projects in food deserts, including nutrition advocacy and community gardens. Following graduation, she moved to Mobile, Alabama and became a VISTA at the Bay Area Food Bank. As Volunteer & Food Drive Coordinator. Patrilie participated in several internal and external volunteer partnerships, most notably the Feeding America Hunger Study. After completing her year of service, Patrilie relocated to Washington D.C. upon receiving an offer to become the Nutritionist and Food Education specialist at Centronia.
She has a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis and is currently pursuing her Masters of Science in Nutrition Education at American University.
Jessie joined FRAC in May 2012. As a senior child nutrition policy analyst, she works in target states, school districts, and schools to increase access to school breakfast programs and increase the number of schools offering breakfast in the classroom free to all students.
Before joining FRAC, Jessie was a fellow at the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, where she helped to facilitate a national collaborative of medical associations, insurers and employers to offer health benefits to prevent and treat childhood obesity. While in law school, Jessie worked with a number of government agencies and non-profit organizations including the Los Angeles City Attorney, the California Department of Justice, and the Disability Rights Legal Center.
She has a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in History from the University of California, San Diego, and a J.D. from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.
Tam Lynne joined Maryland Hunger Solutions in January 2014 as an Anti-Hunger Program Associate. Her focus is on efforts to ensure that all children start their day with a healthy breakfast. She works in partnership with schools, community groups, and coalitions such as the Baltimore Partnership to End Childhood Hunger.
Tam Lynne has worked in social services and public health for over fifteen years. She has experience working with people experiencing homelessness, English Language Learners, and people who are HIV+.
She received a B.A. in Sociology from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She earned a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Management and Community Organizing from the University of Maryland, Baltimore and she is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) in the state of Maryland. In addition, she holds a Global Health Graduate Certificate from University of Maryland, Baltimore, which further fueled her passion for social justice and work that addresses the social determinants of health.
Jacqui joined FRAC in 2012. As Staff Assistant she serves as the office receptionist and also supports all departments with various administrative tasks. Jacqui has a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Brooke is Maryland Hunger Solutions’ senior manager, anti-hunger programs, and supports the director and staff in their efforts to end hunger, promote health and improve the well-being of low-income Marylanders. She takes a leadership role in policy development, advocacy and coalition building as well as providing team leadership, staff development, communications and project management support. Brooke ensures that the policies and practices of Maryland state and local agencies and school districts are designed to allow low-income families and individuals maximum access to nutrition programs; and that the state, counties, school districts and community-based providers take advantage of options in federal law to maximize access and benefits.
Brooke’s career spans 20 years and includes political and community organizing, PR, advocacy and non-profit leadership with extensive experience with the NAACP, American Red Cross and in county government. She founded McCauley & Associates public relations and campaign consulting firm in Detroit, MI. She holds a BA in Journalism with a minor in Public Relations from Wayne State University.
Bio to come.
Etienne joined FRAC in November 2007. In her current role as a senior child nutrition program coordinator, she works with a diverse group of national and state partners to expand the use of the School Breakfast Program among low-income children and increase the number of schools offering breakfast in the classroom free to all students in target states, school districts and schools.
In her previous role as FRAC’s Senior Legislative and Public Affairs Associate, she worked with FRAC’s network and Congress, advocating for federal legislation to improve access and participation in the domestic anti-hunger programs.
Prior to joining FRAC, Etienne worked with RESULTS’ domestic policy campaign on early childhood development issues.
She has a BA in Political Science and Religious Studies from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN.
Denise has worked for the last 10 years as executive assistant at FRAC. In this role, she has helped manage the details, logistics and support for the activities that promote FRAC’s mission. Denise’s experience in development, combined with her attention to detail, collaborative work style, and her commitment have helped FRAC, its Board and its President to achieve their goals. In addition to her FRAC responsibilities, Denise—a native Washingtonian and University of Maryland alum—is a professional photographer with numerous exhibits at fine arts galleries throughout the region.
Richard joined FRAC in May, 2011 as Controller, and became Director of Finance in September, 2014. In this role, he is responsible for performing all accounting, financial processing and payroll activities. Duties include general accounting, audit liaison, cost accounting, financial analysis and forecasting, budget planning, cash flow monitoring, and development of monthly status reports.
Richard has over 35 years of financial, accounting, budgeting and analytical experience. His background includes controllerships at WellPoint, Washington Gas, SAP America, Lucent, AT&T Paradyne and Honeywell. In addition, his expertise includes performing competitive analysis and developing strategic and financial plans.
Richard earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame with a concentration in accounting. He has his CPA certification from the state of Maryland.
Mieka joined FRAC in February 2015 as a child nutrition policy analyst for school nutrition programs. In this role, she assists local and state level partners expand the reach of the School Breakfast Program among low-income youth.
Prior to her time at FRAC, Mieka was a White House intern in the Office of the First Lady, working with the Let’s Move! initiative. Additionally, she spent time at the Clinton Foundation as a Strategic Alliances intern where she compiled and presented research on the effectiveness of using registered dietitians to treat pediatric obesity. Before returning to graduate school, Mieka worked as an analytical lead in Google’s Large Customers Services division, advising health-focused clients on how to effectively market to their target customers online.
Mieka has an MPH from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill and a BA in Psychology from Yale University.
Alan is FRAC’s technology coordinator. For nearly 27 years, Alan has served in various support capacities as a member of FRAC’s administrative staff. Initially secretarial, his duties have expanded with technology and the onset of computerized office functions. In his current position as senior administrative assistant/information systems coordinator, he oversees FRAC information technology needs, provides in-house computer “help desk” and administrative support for program staff, and serves as liaison between FRAC and its various IT consultants and vendors.
Kate joined FRAC in May 2012 as a child nutrition policy analyst supporting the expansion of the at-risk afterschool meals component of the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program. Now as a government relations associate, Kate works with FRAC’s network and Congress advocating for federal legislation that protects and strengthens the federal nutrition programs.
While earning her MSW from the Catholic University of America, Kate completed her advanced year field placement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Child Nutrition Division. Kate had previously interned with USDA’s Office of Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships and Outreach at the Food and Nutrition Service and completed her foundation year field placement for graduate school with the local anti-hunger organization Bread for the City.
Kate has a BA in Women’s Studies and Globalization from Gettysburg College and an MSW from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Marko joined FRAC in April 2012 as development assistant. His job duties include processing all donations and grants, maintaining communication with donors and grantmakers, and assisting senior staff members in writing grant proposals. Prior to joining our organization, he had fundraising internships at the International Student House and Education USA. Marko holds an MA degree in International Affairs from George Washington University.
As director of government affairs, Ellen Teller directs the development and implementation of FRAC’s legislative agenda. Working with Congress, national organizations, and FRAC’s diverse state and local grassroots field network, Ellen advocates for improved access and participation to domestic anti-hunger programs for low-income individuals and families.
Ellen joined FRAC in 1986 as a staff attorney and had previously worked at the American Bar Association’s Section on Individual Rights and Responsibilities, the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Consumer Federation of America.
Ellen has a BA in Political Science and English Literature (1978) from the State University of New York, College at Oneonta, and a JD from Western New England College School of Law (1983). She is a Member of the DC Bar and serves on a the Boards of the Coalition on Human Needs (Chair); Manna Food Center, Rockville, Maryland; ActionAid USA; and the Bill Emerson Hunger Fellows Advisory Committee, Congressional Hunger Center. Honors include: National WIC Association Leadership Award, 2006; Commodity Supplemental Food Program Association Award, 2003 & 2010; and the Congressional Hunger Center Emerson Fellows’ Fairy Godmother Award, 2008.
Polly joined FRAC in February 2013 and is senior manager of foundation relations. In this role, she crafts funding proposals and reports for institutional funders in support of FRAC’s breadth of work.
Polly has fifteen years of experience writing and managing grants. She previously served as the Director of Development at Joy of Motion Dance Center, where she was responsible for planning and implementing all of its contributed income activities. Prior to that, Polly provided comprehensive research and grants administration for a portfolio of externally funded projects, including a $3 million Cooperative Agreement with the US Environmental Protection Agency, at the Center for Risk Science and Public Health at The George Washington University. She has also written grants for the local modern dance company Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Co. and Rebuilding Together Montgomery County.
She has a B.A. in Sociology from Hood College and a B.A. in Dance from The George Washington University.
Rachel joined Maryland Hunger Solutions in November 2013 as an anti-hunger program associate. In this role, she focuses on increasing access to healthy food for low-income Marylanders and Food Supplement Program policy improvements. Rachel has a background in farmers’ market benefit programs, content development and writing for online media, and culinary youth education. Before joining Maryland Hunger Solutions, Rachel was the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Market Coordinator at the Sustainable Food Center in Austin, Texas. Rachel holds a MA in Food Systems from New York University and a BA from Washington University in St. Louis.
Ellen Vollinger is legal director for FRAC. She has responsibility for directing FRAC’s advocacy on behalf of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Food Stamps). Ellen has led FRAC’s efforts to bolster SNAP/Food Stamps, particularly to serve working families, legal immigrants and victims of disasters. She has worked with administrators, elected officials, industry representatives, and non-profit partners on strategies to provide a more accessible and effective nutrition assistance safety net. She serves on the eGovernment Payments Council.
Her prior positions include serving as director of the nonprofit National Committee for Full Employment as well as a practicing attorney with the Washington, D.C. law firm of Ross, Dixon and Masback.
Ellen has a BA in American Studies from Smith College, an MASS in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University and a JD magna cum laude from the American University’s Washington College of Law.
Barb joined FRAC in March 2012 as the director of human resources and operations. In this role she is responsible for overseeing overall organizational operations, including the technology infrastructure, and is directly responsible for human resources policies and employee benefits and relations.
Barb has over twenty years of experience working with national nonprofit organizations in a variety of areas that include: human resources, operations, finance, board development and support, fundraising, events management, strategic planning and advocacy. Most of her skills were acquired through her many years of work at OMB Watch where she played a variety of roles, most recently the Director of Operations. Prior to her work at OMB Watch she worked for Legal Times.
Barbara has a BS in Journalism from Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism at West Virginia University and a Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate from the Georgetown Public Policy Institute, Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership at Georgetown University.
Bio to come.
Michael joined Maryland Hunger Solutions in July 2013 as Director. In this role, he is helping to lead Maryland’s premier hunger advocacy, education and outreach organization as it works to end hunger and improve the nutrition, health, economic security, and well-being of low-income families in Maryland. Michael serves in a leadership role in many statewide coalitions and is a core advisor in the Governor’s Partnership to End Childhood Hunger.
For more than three decades, Michael has been a leading advocate for economic and social justice. He worked on Capitol Hill as a legislative and press assistant for the late U.S. Representative Charles Hayes (IL). He also served in numerous positions at the U.S. Department of Labor, culminating as Chief of Staff in the Employment Standards Administration where he coordinated legislative, regulatory, communications, and policy development. Michael also was an international officer and director at the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union where he headed the legislative and political department and led the union’s efforts in food policy and worker advocacy. Michael served as a FRAC Board Member for more than a decade, as well as a Board Member for the Consumer Federation of America and Americans for Democratic Action, where he also served as National Director. He received the Community Human Rights Award from the United Nations Association of the National Capitol Area in 2009, the Secretary of Labor’s Exceptional Achievement Award in 1997 and 1999, and a Special Commendation from the Wage and Hour Division in 1997.
Michael has a B.A. in Communications Arts and Sciences from Michigan State University.
Patrick joined FRAC in January 2004 as director of development. In this role, he is responsible for managing all aspects of FRAC’s fundraising activities.
He has over fourteen years of experience in non-profit fundraising. Before coming to FRAC, he served as assistant manager of major gifts at the Kennedy Center, associate director of development for major gifts at the Washington National Opera, and director of development at American Rivers.
He holds an MA from Vanderbilt University and a PhD from the University of London.
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