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La Cocina is governed by a board of directors that has fiduciary responsibility over the organization, charged with approving our policies, strategies, and annual budgets. Each board member is a recognized leader in food, entrepreneurship, finance, business, law, real estate, marketing, or women’s economic development. This powerful combination of leaders from a variety of disciplines enhances the organization and ensures that the work of La Cocina is both relevant and grounded in the lives of the entrepreneurs we serve.
Alison Arth, Board Chair
Daniel Lee, Vice Chair
Seema Patel, Treasurer
Katie Colendich, Secretary
Suzanne Cutts
Lindsay Hower
Alina Hua
Surina Khan
Dilsa Lugo, La Cocina Graduate
Fernay McPherson, La Cocina Graduate
Laura Sagues Barr
Marty Sanchez
Dara Zandanel
In 2022, we thank Dara, Marty, Seema and Surina for their six years of service and welcome Kim Alter, Huong Nguyen-Yap, Nubia Solomon, and Linda Xu.
Caleb Zigas, Executive Director
Leticia Landa, Deputy Director
Nicole Marielle Abellanosa, Retail Associate
Geetika Agrawal, Program Director
Laura Ambroseno, Chief Financial Officer
Joslyn Baker, Retail Supervisor
Miguel Castro, Maintenance Associate + Porter
Sarah Christopher, Retail Associate, Community Food Box
Amrita Daing, Bookkeeper
Linda Esposito, Municipal Market Director
Jay Foster, Municipal Marketplace Manager
Brian Gantt, Marketplace Maintenance Associate
Stephanie Goss, Development Associate
Andre Harris, Marketplace Maintenance Associate + Porter
Ariana Hernandez, Marketplace + Retail Associate
Shauna Hinson, Marketplace + Retail Associate
Blake Kutner, Culinary Manager
Clarissa Liwanag, Marketplace Bartender
Andrea Llosa, Earned Income Manager
Eric Lopez Ingles, Maintenance Associate
Michelle Magat, Director of Development + Communications
Naomi Maisel, Community + Food Justice Advocacy Manager
Walter Miros, Kitchen Manager
Lisa Murray, Retail Manager
Faustina Ngo, Development + Communications intern
Jonathan Pan, Events + Catering Manager
Michelle Pfau, Sales Associate
Emiliana Puyana, Program Manager
Consuelo Reyes Lopez, Communications Manager
Sarah Qadri, Food + Beverage Services Manager
Carrie Sullivan, Retail Manager
Cynthia Solis Yi, Chief Revenue Officer
Katherine Sundt, Development Manager
Eugene Tamo, Marketplace Bartender
Aniela Valtierra, Director of Operations + Marketplace
Special thanks to our daily partners Allie Finnegan of Finn PR, Fluid Cooperative Cafe, and Baines Security Consulting.
We are deeply grateful for all of our generous funding partners who are committed to breaking down barriers for immigrant and BIPOC women small business owners. From individual donors to foundations, financial support to in-kind donations, monthly members to corporate sponsors — you have made our work possible in maintaining a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive economic food landscape. We also value our partners in the development community for their strategic insights and financial support.
