CINDY HOUTS
Executive Director
Cindy Houts joined the AFB as Executive Director in June 2015, bringing a decade of nonprofit experience fighting hunger. She has expanded our reach with mobile food distributions to Alameda Housing Authority sites, AUSD schools and homeless outreach programs. She is most proud of transforming the client experience from prepacked Foods to an all choice grocery shopping experience.
Cindy likes to hike, go wine tasting, and travel, sometimes to compete with her dragon boat team, the Alameda Dragonflyers
TEALE HARDEN
Program Manager
Teale joined the Alameda Food Bank in October of 2019 as the Program Manager. She is responsible for ensuring food distributions are executed smoothly and managing the food bank’s nearly 300 volunteers.
Prior to joining the Alameda Food Bank Team, Teale worked for Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association where, among other tasks, she helped manage the Alameda Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays. Teale is excited to strengthen old connections and form new ones within the Alameda community while exploring a new facet of the food system.
She holds a degree in Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems from Montana State University and enjoys hiking and eating her way through the East Bay in her free time.
Elisabeth (Lis) Garon
Warehouse Manager
Elisabeth (Lis) has always had a passion for food, especially consuming it. She spent the last decade working at various farmers’ markets giving Bay Area communities access to the best produce California has to offer. She’s inspired by teamwork and believes that the most rewarding things in life come from people working together to help those in need.
Lis grew up in Pleasanton, CA and went to Rutgers University where she received a degree in Environmental Policy with a minor in Geology. In her spare time, she loves working out, playing golf or enjoying an ice-cold gin martini; ideally with family, friends, and a board game.
FELIX JIG
Program Coordinator
Felix understands the importance of affordable and healthy food, having once been a client of the Alameda Food Bank. In his role as Program Coordinator, Felix assists in organizing volunteers to ensure that food distributions are successful. He enjoys playing video games, discovering new hobbies, and watching movies in his free time.
Our Board
Rebecca Rivkyn, Retired NSF Program Manager
Rebecca taught chemistry in Boston before moving to California and working as a program manager for a National Science Foundation-funded science education project while living in Santa Cruz. Wherever she has lived she has volunteered at her local food bank.
“Food insecurity is something that has affected many people I have known through my teaching. Helping feed the hungry is a passion of mine.”
Craig Hotti, Creative Director
Craig owns Pen to Pixels, Inc., a video production company serving Fortune 500 clients such as Hyundai, Honda, Amazon, Allergan and Juniper Networks. A graduate of Alameda High and the University of Southern California, and an Alameda Elk, Craig has been volunteering with AFB since 2015.
“Not having enough to eat affects every aspect of your life, that’s why I got involved with AFB.”
Steven Campbell, SVP, Prologis
Steve is a seasoned real estate professional, managing internationally recognized programs in innovation, change, environmental stewardship, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility. He has served on numerous corporate and non-profit boards, and is deeply committed to working with community based food bank programs. He and his wife, who is an AUSD teacher, and his children are long time Alameda residents.
“I am honored to be able to support the essential work that the Alameda Food Bank is doing to help those in need, possible because of the deep support of our Island community, and the tireless commitment of the AFB team and volunteers.”
Linda Crabbe, Retired ER Physician
Linda started volunteering at the Food Bank after retiring and moving to Alameda in 2013.
“No one should have to go to bed hungry.”
Thuy Nguyen, Self-Employed
As immigrants to the US in 1975, Thuy and her family have first-hand experience living paycheck-to-paycheck with food insecurity. A long-time Alameda resident, she’s been involved with the Alameda Food Bank since 2014.
“No one, especially children, should go hungry in this rich country.”
Noël Wise, Superior Court Judge
Noël and her husband Roger have lived in Alameda since 1999, and have raised three daughters in our community, all of whom volunteer at the Alameda Food Bank.
“The world is often unpredictable but the Alameda Food Bank ensures that everyone in our community has stable access to food when they need it.”
Anthony Rolley, Warehouse Assistant
Anthony worked as Recreation Leader for the Alameda Parks and Recreation Department and was given the opportunity to work for the Food Bank as a pickup/delivery driver.
“I enjoy working for the city I love!”
Lisa Zenner, Software Development Program Manager
Alameda resident for more than 20 years, Lisa raised her two children in Alameda and discovered volunteering as a great way to engage in the community. As AFB Fundraising Committee lead, Lisa crafts video thank you’s to acknowledge donations.
“No one should go hungry in our community. I’m honored to bear witness to the myriad ways Islanders help Islanders during this chaotic time”
Alison Aubrejuan, Lawyer
Alison and her family moved to Alameda in 2006, and she and her family have volunteered at AFB since 2015.
“Everyone deserves to have enough to eat. As part of the Alameda community, I want to help make sure that our neighbors do not go hungry.”
Margie Benziger, Retired Public Relations Executive
Margie and her husband arrived in Alameda in 2018 aboard their 47′ sailboat after completing an eight-year circumnavigation.
“Hunger knows no boundaries even in the richest country in the world. I believe in giving back to my community and the AFB allows me the privilege of service.”
Scott Wang, Fintech Partnerships
Scott spent a decade working for banks serving the tech ecosystem before joining the economy as an operator. Scott and his wife, Lin, moved to Alameda in 2018 from San Francisco and have two young boys. Community service has always been core to Scott’s DNA and he’s passionate about the AFB’s mission to feed the community.
“I’m grateful to give back to the community I love and proud to work alongside a team of amazing people.”