Rob Moore is a purpose-driven nonprofit manager with over 10 years of experience developing and managing innovative programs that serve various populations. He works in a space to win community support, develop key coalitions, and build relationships with a shared sense of purpose. Rob received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Fordham University (BA in History and MS in Nonprofit Management). Rob was the Founding Director of Operations and Finance for Storefront Academy Charter School in the Bronx, Director of NY Programs for Seedco, and was a Program Specialist at BronxWorks. At BronxWorks, he worked on various food justice programs/initiatives and created a USDA Farmers Market - The Heights Community Farmers Market in the Bronx. Rob lives in Greenwich, CT with his wife Natasha and daughters River and Lily. He is a passionate long distance runner. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn. |
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Ali Ghiorse has thirty years of experience working as a social and food justice advocate. A former chef, a bridge builder and network weaver, Ali sees society's most pressing issues through a food systems lens. She dedicated her career to advancing equity and transformation within the food system through her work as co-founder of Savory Thymes in Marin County, California and most recently as founder of The Foodshed Network (TFN. Alongside her work for TFN, Ali serves on the Greenwich Sustainability Committee as the Food Systems-Sector Co-Chair, as a member of the Greenwich Community Garden Advisory Board, Waste Free Greenwich Advisory Board and as a member of the Representative Town Meeting. Statewide, Ali participates on the Connecticut Food Sovereignty Collective Steering Committee, CT Farm to School Collaborative Policy Action Team and the School Meals 4 All Coalition. Regionally and nationally: Food Solutions New England's Food System Comms Community of Practice, the North American Food System Network's Advisory Board and Production Circle and the National Right to Food Community of Practice Narrative Change Working Group. Ali studied psychology at Mills College in Oakland, California and the culinary arts at the Natural Gourmet Cookery School in Manhattan. Learn about Savory Thymes Connect with Ali on LinkedIn |
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Simone Quartey is a dynamic leader in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion, currently serving as the Director of the Center for Equity & Justice at YWCA Greenwich. In this role, Simone is responsible for the development and implementation of initiatives that promote equity and justice within the community. Her work is dedicated to creating a space where dialogue, education, and action intersect, empowering individuals and organizations on their journey toward a more equitable future. Simone holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from the University of New Haven. Her educational background, combined with her extensive professional experience, has equipped her with core competencies in diversity and inclusion, social justice, human resources, and project management. Throughout her career, Simone has successfully helped organizations create and sustain inclusive and respectful cultures. She provides guidance, consultation, and training on diversity and inclusion topics and partners with external stakeholders to design and execute specialized development programs for underrepresented groups. Her skills in attention to detail, social networking, and communication have been pivotal in her ability to drive meaningful change. Before joining YWCA Greenwich, Simone served as the Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Societe Generale Corporate and Investment Banking. Here, she was responsible for the development and management of D&I programs, aligning them with the overall Americas strategy, and providing thought leadership to stakeholders. She also guided HR business partners, employee resource groups, and business leaders on embedding diversity in business goals and worked with external partners to design development programs for underrepresented groups. Simone spent over three years with the New York Power Authority, where she held roles including Project Specialist II and Coordinator in the Office of Civil Rights & Inclusion. In these positions, she supported the creation and mobilization of DEI strategy across the organization, oversaw annual EEO & Inclusion action plans, drafted analytical reports, and collaborated with senior staff on metrics and training events. Earlier in her career, Simone was the Corporate Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator at NBCUniversal. She supported the Vice President of Corporate Initiatives, the Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Affirmative Action Officer. Simone played a crucial role in planning and arranging corporate meetings, preparing correspondence and presentations, and coordinating the bi-annual Joint Diversity Council and internal meetings. Simone is passionate about advancing equity and justice in the workplace and beyond. She brings diverse perspectives and experiences to her work and is always eager to learn from others and contribute to organizational goals and visions. Her commitment to social justice is evident in every aspect of her career, making her an asset to any team dedicated to creating a more equitable and inclusive world. Simone is a passionate Knicks fan who loves walks and watching the sun set. She lives in Bronx, New York. Connect with Simone on LinkedIn Center for Justice and Equity website here Center for Justice and Equity Instagram: @ywcagreenwich |
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Reggy Saint Fortcolin is a dedicated community leader, conservationist, and food justice advocate whose work bridges the gap between nature, food security, and equitable land access. As the founder and Executive Director of Sovereign Land Trust, Reggy leads efforts to dismantle land ownership disparities and promote sustainable agriculture across Connecticut. His vision is rooted in creating pathways for marginalized communities to access farmland, ensuring that future generations can thrive through land stewardship. In his quest to address food insecurity and curb food waste, Reggy has been instrumental in organizing community fridges in New Haven, Hartford, Waterbury, and Bridgeport under a community focused initiative called Fridgeport. These community fridges, serving roughly 1,200 people each week, provide fresh produce and perishable goods 24/7, empowering individuals with the autonomy to select the food they need without barriers. Each fridge is paired with a pantry offering shelf-stable items, further broadening access to reliable, nutritious food. Reflecting on his philosophy, Reggy has said, “Mutual aid is showing love for your community without asking anything in return,” underscoring his commitment to helping people without expectation. Reggy’s passion for food justice also extends to legislative work. He spearheaded the writing of a food policy bill that established a state Food and Nutrition Policy Analyst position to centralize food access information while increasing investment in food rescue infrastructure and tax incentives for grocery stores in food deserts. Working alongside organizations such as the CT BIPOC Food Network and over 60 mutual aid groups, his coalition has strengthened the movement for equitable food access across the state. Beyond just food, Reggy’s creation of Sovereign Land Trust builds avenues to land ownership and generational wealth for those facing systemic and social barriers to land stewardship. Through initiatives like the Liberated Land Cooperative, of which he is a founding Steering Committee member, Reggy continues to support BIPOC farmers, fostering education and resilience within the agricultural sector. His holistic approach is summed up in his belief that “food is the unifier, a universal language, ” reflecting the power of food and nature in building stronger, more inclusive communities. Reggy was awarded a Seeding Power Fellowship for 2023 - 2024. He lives in Bridgeport, CT and love taking care of his beautiful home garden. Fridgeport Instagram @fridgeport Sovereign Land Trust Instagram @sovereignlandtrust |
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Matthew Ghiorse brings his passion for sustainability and experience in non-profit leadership to TFN’s Advisory Board as Treasurer. Matthew’s professional background includes serving as VP and COO of a philanthropic consulting firm where he helped nonprofit organizations secure substantial funding to advance their missions for over sixteen years. Currently, Matthew chairs the Dobbs Ferry Sustainability Committee where he applies his commitment to environmental stewardship at the local government level. Matthew is a former Trustee of the Dobbs Ferry Public Library where he served as Chair of the Finance Committee. He holds a BS from the University of Washington in Forestry and Ecological Engineering, and an MBA from New York University Stern School of Business. When not engaged in board activities, Matthew trains as an endurance athlete, competing in triathlons and ultramarathons — pursuits that reinforce the discipline and perseverance he brings to all his leadership endeavors. Matthew lives in Dobbs Ferry, New York with his wife Melissa and two kids Ross and Ella. Connect with Matt on LinkedIn |
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Sarah Lopez is a driven public servant, currently serving as the Outreach Assistant for the 4th Congressional District of Connecticut in the Office of U.S. Senator Chris Murphy. In her time in the U.S. Senate, Sarah has worked to bridge gaps between municipalities, connect similarly-minded non-profits, represent the constituents of her district, and, importantly, translate the lived experiences of underserved communities into policy. Hailing from Bridgeport, her passion for food justice started at a young age in her mom’s kitchen. Her Dominican-Honduran heritage always emphasized the importance of food and nutrition as a connection to her culture, and, having grown up in a food desert, Sarah saw firsthand how detrimental food insecurity is to both one’s physical person & one’s personhood. These childhood experiences kindled and sustained her drive to enter the political sphere. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree from Boston University in International Relations. Sarah also serves on the Board of the Willie and Sandra McBride Foundation, a sports organization that empowers young people from Bridgeport. Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn |
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Gery Tobias is a dedicated professional committed to fostering partnerships within her community to tackle food insecurity and enhance nutritional services aimed at disease prevention. She leads a nutritional program tailored for low- to moderate-income families, with a particular focus on supporting BIPOC populations in Fairfield County. With years of experience in project management and event planning, Gery has honed her skills in organizing initiatives that make a tangible difference in people's lives. Currently, she serves as a bilingual housing counselor for the Housing Development Fund, Inc., where she assists low- to moderate-income households in New York and Connecticut. In this pivotal role, she spreads awareness of affordable housing opportunities for first-time homebuyers while providing essential housing support and financial guidance to countless families. Gery’s work is instrumental in helping families achieve housing stability, empowering them with access to resources that facilitate long-term financial independence. Her commitment to supporting initiatives in Stamford aligns with her broader goal of building a thriving and resilient community. As she stands on the front lines, Gery helps her community navigate and overcome barriers, preparing them for their aspirations of homeownership. Driven by a profound sense of advocacy, duty, and love, Gery Tobias is a passionate leader dedicated to making a lasting impact in her community. Connect with Gery on LinkedIn |
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Jess Anderson Jess Anderson is a global business professional who has worked for over 20 years in the international capital markets. She has also acted as a trusted advisor to individuals and in support of smaller private companies and non-profit organizations in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Following graduation from The George Washington University, her career has included roles at leading banks such as Deutsche Bank and BNY Mellon, at an independent research firm, and in consulting. Her focus has centered on guiding international companies and teams, from across 40+ countries and five continents, to adopt global best practices, to communicate and connect across borders, to secure investment, and to continuously provide two-way transparency via ongoing access to people, information, and feedback. Furthermore, she has supported clients in their careers by introducing ideas, designing professional development opportunities, and connecting with top subject matter experts and peer leaders, to illuminate topics of sustainability, corporate governance, ethics, economics, the link between ESG and risk management and returns, and capital markets and investment trends. Jess has also learned to leverage her experience gained in forging partnerships, expanding networks, adapting materials to reach new audiences, securing funding, and empowering people through education and programming, in order to benefit smaller and local organizations. In particular, she often helps experts to distill their knowledge and to translate complex information into clear and actionable messages. As far as her connection to the food system today, while there are far fewer local farms in the Fairfield County area than there are in the Farmington Valley of Connecticut where they dot the towns in which she grew up, her reintroduction to the quality of their produce came during the pandemic, when she rediscovered the taste of local farm-grown apples while seeking out farm stands and markets. Additionally, having experienced a serious medical condition, she is acutely aware of the supportive or destructive health impact that our food can have on us, as well as the challenges as far as quality, accessibility, and cost. Having worked both internationally and locally, Jess believes that our society can be strongest when we have both global relationships, collaboration, and dialogue, as well as a foundation of resilience, health, and community on a local level. She believes that ensuring a secure and abundant local food system, built for sustainability and through equitable practices, is vital to all of our success. |
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194 Putnam Park
Greenwich , CT 06830, USA |
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