2025 School Wellness Summer Symposium Speakers

Morgan Akins is a dedicated professional with a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition, obtained in 2021. With previous experience as a Dietary Aid, a line cook in various restaurants, and two years as a Nutritionist Supervisor for the Women, Infants, and Children (W.I.C) program, Morgan has developed a solid foundation in nutrition and food service. Currently serving as the JSY Community Health and Nutrition Coordinator for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Morgan is passionate about enhancing community well-being by ensuring access to healthy and nutritious foods.

Kristy Apostolides has twenty years international experience in local food systems and sustainable agriculture, with skills ranging from organic vegetable production and field research to program development and volunteer management. As a consultant, she advocates for local farms and regional food systems by organizing educational meetings between farmers and public officials, event planning, curriculum development, grant-writing, academic and project-based research, has taught workshops and given presentations in both professionally and academically oriented conferences and symposia in Europe and the US. She has grown and supported farmers' markets, CSAs, and small- to mid-sized farms through strategic planning, branding, and promotion and is excited to expand her experience beyond the retail market to working with schools in the lower Hudson Valley. She has a BSc in Plant Sciences from Cornell University and a MSc in Sustainable Agriculture from the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICh).

With over 10 years of experience in extension, Amy Bly specializes in farm to school programming, helping local producers navigate and access school food markets while strengthening regional food systems. Her work spans the entire supply chain, with a focus on building sustainable and equitable solutions that improve food access for students. She holds a Master’s in Community Health and brings extensive experience from her time with Cornell Cooperative Extension, where she led initiatives in community-based nutrition, school food, and agriculture. Passionate about collaboration, Amy works across sectors to support thriving farms and healthy schools. She enjoys spending time with her family & friends, going to the beach, yoga, cooking good food, and gardening. 

Lauren Burr is currently the Food Service Director at the Enlarged City School District of Middletown. She brings extensive leadership in optimizing school nutrition programs. With a background in Nutrition and Dietetics, Lauren has led successful initiatives at the Enlarged City School District of Middletown and is dedicated to enhancing meal quality, compliance, and community engagement, driving impactful changes that promote health and wellness across educational settings.

Sheba Giraldo Vallejo is the Community School Director at P.S. 19, The Marino Jeantet School in Corona, Queens, through her work with United Community Schools. For the past three years, Sheba has led efforts to build strong connections between students, families, educators, and community partners to support the whole child. As someone deeply rooted in the community she serves, she is committed to creating opportunities and addressing barriers that impact student success. Through the UCS model—which recognizes that students thrive when their social, emotional, and physical needs are met—Sheba helps ensure that every child is equipped to reach their full potential in school and in life.

Patrice Hallock earned a PhD in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from the University of New Hampshire and worked as a Professor of Education for 20 years before earning her Master of Public Health Degree from Johns Hopkins University. She is currently Dean of the School of Health Professions and Education at Utica University. She conducts research in Local School Wellness Policy in New York State.

Thomas Heagerty is the dedicated Director of Child Nutrition for the Lockport City School District with a passion for ensuring every child has access to healthy, nourishing meals. With 20 years of experience in school nutrition services, I lead with a commitment to equity, wellness, and the belief that well-fed children are better prepared to learn and thrive. Known for innovative programs and community engagement, my team and I work tirelessly to eliminate food insecurity and foster lifelong healthy habits in students.

When enjoying time off, I spend my free time on the golf course, exploring the outdoors through camping trips, and making special memories with my grandchildren. Whether it’s a quiet morning tee-off, a weekend under the stars, or story time at home, I find joy in staying active and connected with the people and places I love.

Bintou Hinds holds a M.S. in Human Nutrition from University of Bridgeport. She has worked in the field of public health nutrition in Dutchess county for the past 12 years. She was the Women Infants and Children (WIC) nutritionist and breastfeeding coordinator with Sun River Healthcare for 6 of those years. She now serves as a regional team leader and occasional Spanish language nutrition educator for SNAP Ed HV-Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County. She lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband and son.

Jennifer Hotaling serves as the Community Schools Site Coordinator at Edwards-Knox Central School District, where she champions initiatives that support holistic student development. A passionate advocate for school-based pantries, Jennifer believes they are instrumental in promoting whole-child wellness by addressing food insecurity and fostering community engagement. Her approach emphasizes eliminating stigma and building inclusive support systems that benefit not only students but entire communities. Through her work, Jennifer strives to create lasting, positive impacts that extend beyond the classroom.

Originally from Miami, Florida—where parrots and the occasional alligator are part of the scenery— Brandy Keenan now calls North Salem, NY, home, where chickens and goats are more common sights. After attending Vassar College, I settled in New York and have spent the past 15 years raising my four children and staying deeply involved in my community. I serve as President of the North Salem Central School District Board of Education, chair the Farm to School PTO committee at our elementary school, and sit on my town’s Climate Smart Committee.

For over a decade, I’ve led a livestock-focused 4-H Club at Muscoot Farm, teaching youth core animal husbandry skills. I also served as President of the Friends of Muscoot, leading educational initiatives and infrastructure projects to support hands-on farm learning. Most recently, I worked as a Farm Educator at Muscoot, where I developed Pre-K programs that fostered social-emotional growth through interaction with animals and gardens. Now, as the 4-H Educator in Putnam County, I’m thrilled to continue channeling my passion for youth development, agriculture, and education into a program that has been a cornerstone of my life.

Nick Kline brings over two decades of teaching experience from elementary to higher education. He has delivered dynamic presentations for schools, districts, and conferences in more than 30 states. A passionate soccer coach, Nick has led teams at all levels, from grassroots youth programs to competitive travel clubs. As a dedicated advocate for physical activity and physical education, he has played key roles with both Active Schools and OPEN. Nick lives in his hometown of Cortland, NY, where he enjoys quality time with his family.

Caitlin Lazarski is the School Nutrition Director for Pine Bush Central Schools in New York, bringing over 13 years of experience in leading school nutrition programs across diverse districts. She holds a Master of Science in Human Nutrition and a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Delaware, along with a specialized dietetic internship focused on child nutrition with the Florida Department of Education.

Caitlin is dedicated to expanding access to nutritious meals for students. She has implemented district-wide Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), launched CACFP Afterschool Supper and Breakfast After the Bell programs, and introduced Non-Congregate SFSP for rural communities. These initiatives have significantly improved student access to healthy food and increased meal participation.

Caitlin currently serves as a board member for the School Nutrition Association and previously served as president of the New York School Nutrition Association. Her leadership at both the state and national levels reflects her commitment to advocacy, professional development, and advancing the mission of school nutrition programs.

Outside of work, Caitlin lives in Newburgh, NY, with her husband and two children. She enjoys cheering on her kids at their baseball and softball games and spending family vacations in Fenwick Island, Delaware.

Dawn McGinn is currently the Food & Nutrition Program Director in the White Plains City School District. An experienced and dedicated school food service professional with a passion for providing nutritious, high quality, student driven menus, created with clean and local New York ingredients. Committed to changing student and community perceptions of school meals, improving program satisfaction, building a strong District Wellness support system, while ensuring high standards for operational performance, food safety, and compliance. 

Sandra Motyka is the President of the Cougar Cupboard, a school-based food pantry in the North Rose-Wolcott Central Schools, which is located in Wayne County, New York. Having been an educator for nearly 34 years, she knows how important good nutrition is to students for their learning and to families for their wellbeing. She devotes countless hours to ensure that the pantry serves as a strong asset in her community. Her most beloved project is the monthly food distributions she organizes through the pantry’s backpack program.

Bridget O'Brien Wood has served as the Buffalo Farm Share Coordinator since 2023 and is a NYSED Master Instructor, providing training and support for Child Nutrition professionals. She was previously Food Service Director for Buffalo Public schools form 1992 – 2023. Bridget has her Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition from Colorado State University.

Jessica Pino-Goodspeed is the Deputy Director of Public Affairs at Hunger Solutions New York. In this role, Jessica guides strategy for and oversees the Public Affairs team’s child nutrition portfolio, including advocacy campaigns; research projects; and statewide outreach and technical assistance to maximize the reach of the programs. Jessica supervises the team’s child nutrition program specialists focused on school meals, summer meals, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). She also supports policy campaigns to strengthen all federal nutrition programs – including SNAP, WIC, and child nutrition programs – at the federal and state levels. Prior to this role, Jessica served as Manager of School Meal Policy and Engagement where, over the last decade, she has established herself as a program and policy expert in the school meal programs. 

Nicole Porto (she/her) was turned on to farming through her service learning experiences at small organic farms throughout the world. As she earned her graduate degree in environmental education with the Expedition Education Institute, she explored the role agricultural systems play in the degradation of the natural world and human health. She then decided she would dedicate her career to building sustainable and just food systems. She has gardened and taught with various programs, such as a school garden in Costa Rica, Farm & Wilderness Camp in Vermont, and City Parks Foundation’s Learning Gardens in New York City. Before joining Land to Learn Nicole ran a small CSA farm in the lower Hudson Valley where she had the opportunity to provide bountiful harvests for her community and hone her skills as a grower. As a founding staff member hired in 2014, Nicole, aka “Colie,” has served the organization in a number of ways and has experienced Land to Learn’s various iterations, successes, and challenges throughout the years. She is thrilled to be serving as Executive Director as of January 2025. 

Elaine M. Reynolds is a seasoned food service administrator with over two decades of experience in K–12, higher education, and public sector nutrition programs. She currently serves as the District Food Service Administrator for Schenectady City School District, overseeing operations across 18 schools and managing a $10 million budget. Elaine previously worked with the New York State Education Department as a Food Program Evaluation Specialist and has held various leadership roles within Sodexo at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, SUNY Albany, and Union College. A passionate advocate for equity in school meals and Farm to School initiatives, Elaine holds a Bachelor of Science in Food and Restaurant Administration from SUNY Oneonta.

Donna Riviello is the Food Service Director for the Clyde-Savannah Central School District. During her fourteen-year career with the district, she has implemented numerous programs for the district’s students including Breakfast in the Classroom, Breakfast After the Bell, After School Snack, Community Eligibility Provision and most recently, the non-congregate Summer Feeding Option. Donna was named the NY State Director of the Year in the 2015/2016 school year. She is a past president for the New York School Nutrition Association where she has served on the Board of Directors for nine years.

Elizabeth (Liz) Rosario-Brady, a Dominican-American, earned her Bachelor’s degree from Colby College in environmental policy and cultural anthropology, where she helped spearhead college-wide racial equity initiatives before moving into professional roles centering around education, food, and environmental Justice in Queens, NY, Saudi Arabia, and Guatemala.

Liz is passionate about increasing access to healthy food and living, and it is in that capacity that she has worked as the Education Director with Queens-based non-profit Connected Chef. She has international experience leading student groups of all ages, creating peer-reviewed curricula, and fortifying grassroots sustainable programs through school partnerships such as our Family Gardening Hour at PS14 Fairview School.

Shayna Russo is currently a SNAP-Ed NY Project Manager for the Hudson Valley Region and Statewide SNAP-Ed NY Technical Assistance Coordinator. She is driven to create ‘change’ that supports healthy lifestyles, while simultaneously utilizing knowledge, skills and abilities relative to health, education, nutrition, fitness, collaboration and teamwork. With degrees in Health Promotion Management and Exercise Science, she has worked as a Personal Trainer, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Swim Instructor, Public Health Educator and Regional Coordinator. For over 20 years Shayna has used her facilitation and communication skills to promote an all-inclusive, high-performing culture where groups embrace and leverage each other’s talents to achieve full potential. Over the past 15 years, through grant funded roles with Cornell Cooperative Extension, much of her efforts has been focused on the health and wellness of low-income communities in the Hudson Valley. Shayna and her husband live in Dutchess County with their two kids and two dogs (Brownie and Cupcake). You will often find her around town on some early morning runs, drinking some hot tea and chauffeuring her kids to practice and games.

The Food Bank of Central New York leads the effort to eliminate hunger in an 11-county region of Central and Northern New York. Through partnerships with local organizations, the Food Bank is able to distribute more than 20 million pounds of nutritious food to our neighbors in need.

Patti Waldner’s, Agency Relations Coordinator with the Food Bank of Central New York, work in the North Country focuses on providing support and training to the Food Bank’s partners, enabling them to effectively serve food-insecure neighbors. With over 10 years of experience working with low-income families, Patti understands the barriers they face in accessing food. She is encouraged by the increasing community interest in school pantries and the potential accessibility these pantries could offer to many low-income families.