Board Members
These fine people have been influential in the creation and progress of the South Bronx Food Cooperative/Foundation. Even though they are part of the initial board, board seats often change. The coop is happy to consider any member who would like to be on the board.
Zena Nelson (MBA) - Zena is the founder and executive director of both the South Bronx Food Cooperative, Inc. & South Bronx Food Foundation (501c3). Her professional background is as a marketing and project manager within various corporations, foundations and agencies including the NYC Economic Development Corporation and the NYS Small Business Development Center. In addition to her professional and educational background, she is the co-chair of the Fordham University Black & Latino Alumni Association, Baruch College Entrepreneurial Fellow, Aspen Institute Scholar, We Are The Bronx Fellow, Assembly District Leader for the NYS Green Party, YMCA Go Global! NGO Volunteer and avid fencer.
Robert Roose (MD, MPH) - Rob is currently the Medical Director of a substance abuse treatment program in the Melrose section of the South Bronx operated by the Division of Substance Abuse of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He provides primary medical care, including HIV and Hepatitis C care, for his patients; teaches students and residents as a faculty member of the Residency Program in Social Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center; and conducts research into various aspects of addiction treatment and primary care. He supports a social medicine approach to health, including the consideration of ideas such as food access, racism, and poverty in medical care, and advocating for high-quality care for underserved and often stigmatized populations
Karen Washington (MA) - Karen is a long-standing nutrition activist within the Bronx. In addition to her personal profession as a physical therapist, she presides as president of the Crotona Community Coalition, Co-Founder of the La Familia Verde Community Gardens and board member of Just Foods and Mary Mitchell Family & Youth Center. Karen is also a certified urban gardener and composter.
Lukas Herbert - is a professional urban planner who specializes in land use and transportation issues. He has worked for the Westchester County Planning Department for the past 8 years and is a resident of the Grand Concourse. Lukas has been active in local community initiatives since moving to the Bronx 5 years ago. This included 2 years on Community Board 4 where he played a role in the review of the new Yankee Stadium and the Gateway Mall and was able to help emphasize community concerns regarding those projects.
Dr. Galit Saacaji (MD, MPH) Galit presently resides as an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center. She is involved in various aspects of clinical work, teaching (both to residents and patients), and research around issues of access to and engagement in care of under-served communities.
Jennifer Dent - Jennifer is a legal supervisor at Milberg LLP. Jennifer previously owned and operated Chelsea Resume Service, a retail operation devoted to career enhancement. On the side, she enjoys the stock market, songwriting and organic gardening.
Claire Haaga Altman (JD, MPA)- Claire is the Executive Director of Reserve Elder Services Inc. ReServe connects experienced older adults with stipend-paying jobs that challenge them to use their lifetime skills for the public good. Claire is also the founder of the Highbridge-Woodycrest Extended Care Network, a non-profit health network.
Ed Garcia – Ed is a social media consultant and successful blogger. He is co-founder and vice-president of the Sons of the Red Ribbon, a support group for HIV+ men, based in the Bronx Community Pride Center. Ed's professional background is as a real estate appraiser, work which has enabled him to become fluent about the histories of the five boroughs as well as the current social and cultural transitions of these areas. A lifetime resident of South Bronx and more specifically Melrose, Ed has been known to declare, “I am Google when it comes to the Bronx.”
James Chase - Director of Communications for Sustainable South Bronx. James previous professional experience is in New York City's cable TV and advertising industries as a cameraman, production designer, editor, and director.
Mary Heglar - Mary currently resides as the Cooperative's inventory manager and board secretary. Mary is an established editor and and writer with the Indypendent as well as aspiring independent writer.
Omar Freilla (MA) - Founder and director of Green Worker Cooperatives and Rebuilders' Resource - a new, green organization that incubates worker-owned and environmentally friendly businesses in the South Bronx. Omar's organization works to construct alternatives to modern capitalism through worker ownership and the creation of strong local economies centered on principles of environmental justice and the rights of workers.
