Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is the WHIN Food Council’s leadership team, comprised of 10-15 community members who oversee and facilitate the development and implementation of all organizational activities. Steering Committee members are residents of the neighborhood interested in committing to at least one year of service working with our organization. Members have the option to join a committee/coordinator role based on their skills and experience. The committees to choose from include Strategic Planning, Gardening, Community Partnerships, Membership Engagement, Grow from Classroom, Farm Share, and Scholarships.

Meet Our 2025 Steering Committee Members:

2025 Steering Committee Members: Madi Diaz, Renae Cairns, Sam Checo, Daniel Burkowsky, Joanna Rodriguez, Chris Nickell, Yesenia Arrunategui, Caroline McKinzie, Jessica Stretton, Yaddy Valerio; Sapheya Saber, Zamara Chisti, Iluminada Ramirez, Mabel Colon, Hadiya Ghumman

OUR TEAM

Madi Diaz (she/her)

Project Director/Administrative Coordinator

Sam Checo (she/her)

Strategic Planning Coordinator/Farm Share Distribution Coordinator

Renae Cairns (she/they)

Strategic Planning Coordinator

Joanna Rodriguez (she/her)

Educational Events Coordinator

Yesenia Arrunategui (she/her)

Membership Engagement Coordinator

Jessica Stretton (she/her)

Finance Coordinator

Hadiya Ghumman (she/her)

CUMC Food Fellow

Daniel Burkowsky (he/him)

Educational Events Coordinator

Caroline McKinzie Gunn (she/her)

Membership Engagement Coordinator

Sapheya Saber (she/her)

Grow From Classroom Coordinator/Food Co-Op Coordinator

Iluminada Ramirez (she/her)

Food Co-op Coordinator

Chris Nickell (they/them/elli/Chris) Community Partnerships Coordinator

Yaddy Valerio (she/her)

Grow From Home Coordinator

Zamara Chisti (she/her)

Food Co-op Coordinator

Mabel Colon (she/her)

Scholarships Coordinator

Past Steering Committee Members

2024 Steering Committee Members: Can Ersoy, Chris Nickell, Hannah Patterson, Danielle Bagley, Valeria Cortez, Emma Moore, Caitlin Castelaz, Maya Talwar-Herbert, Janki Patel, Jessica Stretton, Sam Checo, Yaddy Valerio; CUMC Food Fellow Hadiya Ghumman

2022-2023 Steering Committee Members: Eman Faris, Can Ersoy, Juan Carlos Medrano, Chris Nickell, Hannah Patterson, Amanda Barnes, Danielle Bagley, Valeria Cortez, Emma Moore, Caitlin Castelaz, Maya Talwar-Herbert; CUMC Food Fellow Janki Patel

2021-2022 Steering Committee Members: Eman Faris, Can Ersoy, Carmen Espinal, Juan Carlos Medrano, Shannon Conley, Anabel Perez, Caroline Aronin, Danielle Bagley, Valeria Cortez, Yelitza Aguilera, Sally Fisher, Caitlin Castelaz, Mio Alba, Kristina Bustos

2020-2021 Steering Committee Members: Eman Faris, Can Ersoy, Carmen Espinal, Caroline Aronin, Danielle Bagley, Valeria Cortez, Yelitza Aguilera, Sally Fisher, Caitlin Castelaz, Alexis Agliano Sanborn

2019-2020 Steering Committee Members: Catarina Rivera, Emma Conroy, Sally Fisher, Hilda Perez, Can Ersoy, Eman Faris, Tyreek Jackson, Kate Lehmert

2018- 2019 Steering Committee Members: Catarina Rivera, Emma Conroy, Christopher Burch, Sally Fisher, Erica Christensen, Samantha Cinnick, Evan de Luna, Hilda Perez, Katy Whyte, Leanna Scatoloni, Can Ersoy

2017- 2018 Steering Committee Members: Catarina Rivera, Emma Conroy, Christopher Burch, Sally Fisher, Erica Christensen, Samantha Cinnick, Farrah Brensinger, Juliani Acosta, Sudan Bey