Team Bios
Derek Wallace
Executive Director & Founder
Derek Wallace is the Founder and Executive Director of the Mind Open Fork Ready Project, a nonprofit organization that uses food as a powerful vehicle to help parents and educators raise more open-minded kids. Through events, educational programs, and media, the project fosters empathy and prepares children to be positive global citizens—one meal, one conversation, one shared experience at a time.
Derek's journey to nonprofit leadership took an unexpected path. He spent 17 years in sales and marketing leadership at a large textiles corporation, but witnessing workplace practices that conflicted with his values motivated him to leave and return to his roots in community service—roots that began at Syracuse University, where he started a tutoring program combining academics with athletics and managed a literacy program. Inspired by an episode of Chef's Table and his desire to share stories about travel and food with his son Henry, Derek identified a significant gap: while resources existed for cooking with children, kid-friendly stories using food as a lens to explore culture were virtually nonexistent. This insight led him to create Kalamata's Kitchen in 2019, partnering with former Le Bernardin sommelier Sarah Thomas. What began as a successful Kickstarter campaign evolved into a celebrated children's media property featuring books, live events, digital content, and an ambassador network of world-renowned chefs. The project garnered attention from The New York Times, CBS This Morning, The Today Show, and Bon Appétit, and became the first children's property to be a James Beard Foundation media award finalist.
While Kalamata's Kitchen continues in development as animated and live action series concepts, Derek realized his greatest passion lay in serving as an ally to parents and educators. This revelation inspired the launch of the Mind Open Fork Ready Project, where he now leads a team bringing this mission to homes, schools, and communities nationwide. Beyond this work, Derek is passionate about advising visionary founders and championing mission-driven organizations. He dedicates significant time to mentoring college students he believes have the talent to change the world and serves as a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs and organizations doing transformative work in their communities. A Syracuse native and Syracuse University alumnus, Derek lives on the New Hampshire Seacoast with his wife Jennifer, son Henry, and doodles Woodrow and Parmigiana.
Aliza J. Sokolow
Programs & Partnerships Leader
Aliza J. Sokolow is an Emmy Award–winning food stylist, author, chef, and media personality who believes that food has the power to connect us all. Her work seamlessly blends culinary creativity with storytelling that makes a difference—whether she's styling a gorgeous plate for a photoshoot, teaching kids about healthy eating, or sharing vibrant recipes on Good Day LA. Her debut children's book, This Is What I Eat (Random House Kids, 2023), encourages young readers to explore and enjoy nutritious food in a joyful, colorful, and accessible way.
Aliza's career took off on Jamie Oliver's groundbreaking Food Revolution, where her work as a food stylist helped the show earn an Emmy Award, two additional nominations, and a James Beard Media Award. Since then, her culinary and visual storytelling has been featured in The New York Times, Bon Appétit, Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Journal, and The Los Angeles Times, and she's appeared on ABC, CBS, KCRW's Good Food, and more.
Beyond the kitchen, Aliza is passionate about service and community building. She sits on the boards of the UC Berkeley Food Institute and Our Big Kitchen LA, and regularly organizes volunteer events that nourish the community and support food access. Her deep-rooted love for food and its power to bring people together began at Camp Alonim, where she first discovered the joy of cooking and the transformative potential of shared meals.
Kalpana David
Higher Education Program Director
Kalpana David brings a unique combination of rigorous financial expertise, creative vision and executional precision to her work bridging business and mission-driven storytelling. She started her career building expertise in municipal finance and credit analysis, including roles at Ambac Assurance Corp. and Fitch Ratings, which allowed her to analyze complex financial structures and help organizations navigate high-stakes decisions. She later served as Investment Analyst Consultant at Genworth Financial, where she continued to sharpen her strategic thinking and analytical skills.
In 2018, Kalpana made a bold career decision when joined Kalamata's Kitchen as Business Partnerships Director, helping build the brand that kids and grown-ups now think about when they have adventures with food. Her ability to blend financial acumen with creative problem-solving proved invaluable as the project evolved from a Kickstarter campaign into a celebrated children's media property with an ambassador network of world-renowned chefs and attention from major media outlets. In 2024, Kalpana began to focus her work on the organization’s growing partnerships in higher education, and was instrumental in the launch of the All-Star Family Food Fest in partnership with Falk College of Sport. This event was a catalyst for the launch of the Mind Open Fork Ready Project.
Kalpana holds a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University's Maxwell School and a B.A. in Economics and Policy Studies from Syracuse University. Whether she's analyzing bond structures or helping build a brand that inspires young people to explore the world through food, Kalpana brings the same thoughtful, strategic approach to everything she does. She lives in New York with her husband Vic, daughters Leela and Rekha, and doodle Jasper.
Erin Cowhig
Board of Directors
Erin Cowhig is a people-first executive who believes that building great companies starts with building great teams. As the former Chief People Officer of Nimbus Therapeutics, a clinical-stage drug discovery company based in Boston, she led the Human Resources function from 2020 to early 2025, serving as a company officer and member of the senior executive team. Her work focused on creating a culture where innovation and belonging go hand in hand.
Before joining Nimbus, Erin served as Vice President of Human Resources at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, where she was responsible for HR governance, portfolio management, and organizational effectiveness. She also led Vertex's diversity and inclusion strategy, overseeing programs focused on talent development, employee engagement, and retention. Prior to Vertex, Erin was Head of Talent at Agios Pharmaceuticals, where she built the company's first medical affairs and sales teams from the ground up—a role that required equal parts strategic vision and roll-up-your-sleeves determination.
Erin holds a B.S. in Human Development and a Master of Industrial and Labor Relations degree from Cornell University, and brings a deep commitment to fostering workplaces where people can thrive and do their best work.
Kelsey Davis
Board of Directors
Kelsey Davis is a digital communications leader building AI-driven tools at Walmart that empower 2.2 million associates across 19 countries to serve 255 million customers each week. As Senior Manager of Global Communications, she leads the development of technology products that elevate the associate experience and transform how teams connect.
Before joining Walmart, Kelsey founded CLLCTVE (Techstars '20), a platform that connected thousands of creators with brands such as Chime and DoorDash. She later served as Senior Director of Communications and Partnerships for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health. Earlier in her career, she created content for brands including Coca-Cola, Puma, Land Rover, AT&T, and Northwestern Mutual, and worked on productions with Condé Nast Entertainment and Uniworld Group.
Kelsey has been recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, Adweek, Fortune, The New York Times, and AACSB International for her leadership at the intersection of technology and creativity. She now serves on the Board of the Institute for Work and the Economy, advancing innovative strategies to create equitable workforce opportunities and drive inclusive economic growth.
Daina Falk
Board of Directors
Daina Falk is the founder and CEO of Hungry Inc., a sports marketing firm that helps brands, athletes, and teams unlock greater value—including measurable ROI—from sports partnerships.
Daina has spent her entire career in sports, working across team front and back offices, consulting roles, and sports broadcasting. She also created and led a sports lifestyle brand that blended sports, food, and entertainment to elevate the game day experience. Throughout her career, she has infused her passion for food into content, fan engagement, and onsite activations.
In 2016, Time Inc. published her cookbook, The Hungry Fan's Game Day Cookbook, a helpful guide for sports fans looking to elevate their tailgating and homegating with simple, delicious recipes. Featuring her own creations along with contributions from professional athletes and Olympians, the book became an Amazon bestseller and a staple for game day cooks.
Beyond her work in sports and culinary innovation, Daina has built a robust career in television and media. She has produced and hosted numerous food- and sports-focused programs and segments, sharing her signature blend of culinary creativity and sports expertise. Her appearances on NBC Universal, CBS Sports, Food Network, and many more highlight her ability to deliver engaging content across cooking, commentary, and lifestyle programming.
Daina is also a proud mom to an adorable cockapoo named Moose and two spirited young boys named Everett and Madden—both of whom she’s already teaching to love cooking (and, of course, eating).
Jing Gao
Board of Directors
Jing Gao founded Fly By Jing in 2018, inspired by the bold, unapologetic flavors of her hometown Chengdu and its famous "fly restaurants"—soulful hole-in-the-wall eateries so good they attract diners like flies. What started as pop-ups designed to bring the spirit of Chengdu's bustling streets to life—loud, vibrant, and unafraid—has grown into a beloved line of Sichuan-sourced condiments and noodles that help home cooks everywhere capture that same electric energy in their own kitchens.
Jing literally wrote the book on Sichuan chili crisp. The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp, her James Beard Award-winning cookbook, features 85 hot recipes for everything from dumplings to cocktails to desserts. Part love letter, part manifesto, the book traces the journey of Sichuan chili crisp from her grandmother's kitchen to tables around the world that crave boldness and flavor without apology. Through Fly By Jing and her cookbook, Jing has become a leading voice in celebrating and elevating Sichuan cuisine, proving that food is more than sustenance—it's culture, identity, and pure joy.
Whether she's developing new products, writing recipes, or sharing the stories behind the flavors, Jing's mission remains the same: to make people feel alive through food that's as vibrant and fearless as the place it comes from.
Michelle Lee
Board of Directors
Michele Lee is a strategic public company executive who brings the perfect blend of innovation and digital know-how to every challenge. With over two decades guiding some of the world's most influential technology companies through complex legal and regulatory terrain, she knows how to navigate what's next. Michele currently serves as General Counsel in Residence at Wilson Sonsini, a global law firm with a long history of supporting technology trailblazers.
Before this role, Michele was General Counsel at Pinterest, where she helped shape the platform's strategic direction during a period of rapid growth and evolution. Prior to that, she led Twitter's global litigation, regulatory, and competition team, steering the company through pivotal moments in tech policy and platform governance. Earlier in her career, she honed her expertise as an attorney at Visa and at the United States Department of Justice, building a foundation in both corporate innovation and public service.
Erica Murphy
Curriculum Development
Erica Murphy believes that excellent teaching starts with excellent teacher development—and she's spent her career making that happen. With experience spanning classroom teaching, school leadership, and systems-level curriculum design, she knows what educators need to succeed and how to build the frameworks that support them. As a former consultant at Hendy Avenue, Erica helped create teacher observation rubrics and comprehensive compensation systems that reward excellence with real recognition. She also led Hendy's Chief Academic Officer Cohort, bringing academic leaders together to sharpen their vision, build their skills, and problem-solve alongside trusted colleagues.
Before joining Hendy, Erica served as Chief Curriculum and Instruction Officer at Ascend Public Charter Schools, where she designed and implemented Ascend's unique liberal arts curriculum and supervised the professional development of all instructional leaders. Prior to that, she spent five years as school director of Brownsville Ascend Lower School, where proficiency rates increased 30 percentage points in English language arts and 34 percentage points in mathematics—achieving the second-highest score improvement among New York City charter schools in 2016-17. Erica started her career at Ascend as a second-grade teacher, consistently posting the network's highest math results.
Erica holds an MPA from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, an M.Ed. in elementary education from Lehman College, and a bachelor's degree in psychology and Spanish from Washington University in St. Louis. She lives with her husband and three daughters in Brooklyn, NY.
Christine Griswold
Curriculum Development
Christine Griswold knows how to make learning irresistible. With over 15 years in award-winning film and television production, 15+ years working with children and educators, and deep expertise in children's media research and content development, she specializes in designing playful learning experiences that spark imagination and joy. She's worked with iconic companies like Disney Jr., The Jim Henson Company, Scholastic, PBS Kids, and Crayola—and beloved brands like Mickey Mouse, Thomas the Tank Engine, and Ranger Rick—to create content that entertains and educates in equal measure.
Christine's career includes roles as Director of Educational Impact and Senior Creative Producer at Epic for Kids and Consulting Director of Learning Experiences at the Center for Early Childhood Creativity and Innovation at the Walt Disney Birthplace. She's produced animation for television and ed-tech platforms, helped develop over 50 learning-infused properties across TV, publishing, and audio (including Master Hamster Super Science comics and Weather Hunters for PBS Kids), and created hands-on STEM and STEAM activities for organizations like Descanso Gardens and the YMCA of Greater Chicago.
Christine started her career in post-production before moving into television animation, working on shows like Recess, The Simpsons, King of the Hill, Invader Zim, and Harvey Birdman Attorney at Law. She holds a Master's in Human Development with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education and traveled to Italy to study the Reggio Emilia Approach firsthand—a progressive educational philosophy she's since taught and championed at schools and conferences nationwide. Christine belongs to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance, the Children's Media Association, and Women in Animation. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband (an animation artist) and their three children.
Dr. Kishi Animashaun Ducre
Curriculum Development
Dr. Kishi Animashaun Ducre brings two decades of scholarship and activism to her work bridging education, social justice, and environmental equity. As a nationally recognized expert in environmental justice with a PhD from the University of Michigan, she integrates Black feminist theory, geography, and community-based research to understand how race, class, gender, and power shape the spaces where children learn and live. Her work asks critical questions about who has access to healthy environments, quality education, and the freedom to thrive—and then helps communities take action.
Kishi's career spans higher education leadership and grassroots advocacy. She has served as Associate Professor and former Chair of African American Studies at Syracuse University, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Director of the Center for Social Justice and Civil Liberties at Riverside Community College District. She's also the creator of SoulJourners Academy, which offers Black-centered travel experiences and curricula that highlight voices and stories often erased from mainstream education. Her research has secured nearly $2 million in grants, and her scholarship—including her books A Place We Call Home and Addressing Environmental and Food Justice toward Dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline—has been widely recognized for centering the voices of those most impacted by injustice.
Kishi was appointed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul to the 400 Years of African American History Commission and previously served as a 2011 Fulbright Scholar and a 2015-2016 Sustainability Fellow. Before academia, she worked as a Toxics Campaigner for Greenpeace, where her activism helped secure major environmental victories. Whether through scholarship, teaching, or community engagement, Kishi remains committed to creating educational experiences that are liberating, truth-telling, and transformative.
Marie Collins
Curriculum Development
Marie Collins brings a decade of hands-on experience as an educator, instructional designer, and community organizer to her work developing curriculum that's both rigorous and joyful. As a PhD Candidate at the University of New Hampshire researching curriculum theory and teacher education, she's constantly exploring the big questions about what makes great teaching possible. She also holds a graduate certificate in Feminist Studies, an M.Ed. in Elementary Education, and a B.A. in Music Education, and has taught courses on ethics in education while supervising graduate students at UNH.
Marie's career has taken her from primary school classrooms in Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire—where she founded sustainability teams and built local partnerships to enhance environmental education—to coaching educators across public schools, universities, corporate settings, and nonprofits on instructional design, ethical decision-making, and effective facilitation. She's also the co-founder of Cultivate, a New Hampshire nonprofit that brings people together through the New England BIPOC Festival and Farm-A-Q, celebrating the intersection of culture and agriculture in local food systems.
Marie is an aunt to four rambunctious girls and the proud mom of a very spoiled Belgian Shepherd named Wahala (Trouble). When she's not working, you'll find her exploring new places with her partner Tyler, wandering the trails of her hometown of Eliot, playing piano, singing with her choir, ankle-deep in her garden, or enjoying a shared meal with friends.
Sarah Thomas
Food, Storytelling, and Culture Advisor
A veteran sommelier and fine-dining professional, Sarah Thomas is now the co-founder and Chief Brand Officer at Kalamata’s Kitchen, where she brings together her lifelong passions for both food and books. The daughter of two south Indian immigrants, Sarah grew up in the rural town of Somerset, Pennsylvania, and was surrounded by food from a young age. Her parents very much kept their Indian culture alive through the food they cooked, and Sarah would spend summers in Kerala visiting her grandparents, forming some of her earliest food memories. Sarah’s love for food is what eventually led her to the hospitality industry.
After launching the nationally-recognized Wine Room at Bar Marco, she spent nearly six years as a sommelier at 3-star Michelin Le Bernardin, where she obtained the prestigious Advanced Sommelier certification. Along with food, books played a special role in Sarah’s upbringing, eventually leading to a Masters in literature from the University of Cambridge. Like many first generation kids, Sarah grew up with what she felt were two conflicting identities, with her strong Indian heritage seeming to contrast against the mostly white rural town where she lived, and literature became a way for her to escape into another world. Through her storytelling work with Kalamata’s Kitchen, Sarah hopes to create a confident character that other children of color can see themselves in, while also encouraging all kids to look at different foods and cultures with a sense of curiosity and compassion. Sarah has authored two books in the Kalamata’s Kitchen series, with an animated series in development.
David Vargas
Food, Storytelling, and Culture Advisor
Chef David Vargas is a James Beard Foundation “Outstanding Chef America” semi-finalist (2023) and the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association’s Chef of the Year (2022). As chef-owner of the award-winning Vida Cantina in Portsmouth, NH, and Ore Nell’s Barbecue in Kittery, ME, David celebrates his Mexican heritage by showcasing local, seasonal ingredients and bringing people together through food.
In addition to his restaurant work, David serves as the School Nutrition Director for MSAD 60, where he is strengthening community partnerships, expanding access to fresh local foods, and ensuring students are nourished with dignity and culture-forward meals.
A Southern California native with roots in Jalisco, David’s cooking has earned praise from The Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, and The Portsmouth Herald for redefining Mexican cuisine in New England. His community mission extends beyond the kitchen: as a founder of Cultivate, he works to uplift historically marginalized communities through food, culture, and shared connection.
Katie Goodspeed
Development Advisor
Katie Goodspeed is a connector, strategist, and builder who loves bringing people together around bold ideas. As Founder and CEO of Goodspeed Partners, she leads a privately held firm that provides comprehensive advisory and analytic solutions to organizations looking to sharpen their strategy, strengthen their operations, and make meaningful change. With expertise spanning fundraising strategy, philanthropic advising, venture philanthropy, board development, and organizational management, Katie and her team help nonprofits build sustainable revenue models and navigate the exciting—and sometimes messy—opportunities that come with growth.
Katie's career spans global development, philanthropy, and organizational transformation. She has led international advancement efforts at World Learning, steered Variety the Children's Charity of New York through significant change as Executive Director, and launched leadership initiatives at UNICEF that strengthened teams worldwide. She also co-founded an executive coaching program for emerging leaders in philanthropy, helping the next generation accelerate their own purpose-driven careers.
Recognized by the WNBA for her commitment to inspire change, Katie has worked with grassroots organizations across the globe and believes deeply in the power of leadership to drive lasting impact. She holds degrees from Bates College and the SIT Graduate Institute, is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher, and has traveled to more than 60 countries, continually learning from the people and communities she serves.
Amy VanHaren
Advisor
Amy VanHaren is an entrepreneur, creative strategist, and community builder with 25+ years of experience launching and scaling impactful businesses at the intersection of technology, women's health, and community. As exited founder and CEO of Pumpspotting, she built a healthtech platform supporting 100,000+ parents and transforming workplace baby-feeding support through partnerships with organizations like Walgreens, NASA, and DraftKings. She is adept at the smooth and strategic operations of running a company—from fundraising millions to producing live events reaching hundreds of thousands to building mission-driven companies from scratch.
Before Pumpspotting, Amy founded VanHaren Creative, an award-winning marketing agency that crafted compelling brand narratives and led marketing campaigns for iconic companies such as Patagonia, Amy's Kitchen, Stonyfield, and Allagash. Her work has been recognized by Forbes (Next 1000), Fast Company (World-Changing Idea), and Vogue (breastfeeding revolution) for visionary leadership and entrepreneurial success.
Amy brings deep expertise in growth strategy, brand positioning, and community building to organizations working to support women and families. She is passionate about building communities, fostering human connection, and sparking meaningful change.
Sean Branagan
Programming Advisor
Sean Branagan is a serial entrepreneur, interactive marketer, and passionate evangelist for innovation who believes the future of media belongs to bold creators willing to take risks. As Director of the Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship at Syracuse University's Newhouse School—which he established in 2011—Sean has built a thriving ecosystem that offers courses, coaching, and connections to help students launch media ventures of all kinds. The Center runs the Newhouse Startup Garage, a co-working space where student startups, creators, and media collaborators from around the world come together to shape what's next.
Sean's entrepreneurial journey spans lifestyle businesses, small ventures, and high-tech companies. He's had a profitable exit, led marketing for a $125 million public company on Boston's Route 128 corridor, and helped build an early cloud services business that acquired 10 companies in 18 months before being sold to Time Warner Cable (now part of Accenture). Along the way, he's also served as head of e-commerce strategy for a New York City public company and in corporate communications for a publicly traded distribution company. Today, he's co-founder and chair of Scrappy Capital, a seed fund investing in startups in rising cities, and coaches numerous startups and venture funds.
Since returning to Newhouse in 2011, Sean has created and taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Media Entrepreneurship and Media Innovation. He co-founded Student Startup Madness, a national collegiate startup competition that ran at SXSW from 2012 to 2020, and launched Media-Nxt, a compendium of student articles about the future of media. He's also executive producer of the StartNow Series, an online show featuring successful media entrepreneurs talking about their college experiences. A 2020 Fulbright Grant recipient in Media Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Sean worked to build the creator economy in Estonia and helped eight universities across the EU establish media entrepreneurship programs. He's now focused on democratizing entrepreneurship and expanding creator economy opportunities throughout Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and underserved communities in the US. Sean is a board member of the Association for Foreign Press Correspondents USA and holds advisory positions with several early-stage media and tech startups. A 1980 Newhouse graduate with a degree in magazine journalism, he's come full circle—now helping the next generation of media makers build something extraordinary.
Andrew Morton
Nonprofit Counsel
Mr. Andrew D. Morton is a partner at Handler Law, LLP and Chair of the firm’s Sports & Entertainment Law Group, serving a client base of professional athletes, Olympians, artists, entertainers and other public figures who wish to maximize their social impact.
Operating at the intersection of celebrity and philanthropy, Andrew’s innovative practice encompasses all aspects of high-profile philanthropic engagement and branding: from the formation of tax-exempt organizations, to ongoing oversight, compliance, governance and reporting consistent with legal requirements and best practices. Given his deep understanding of various nonprofit legal structures, he often recommends alternative solutions when appropriate, such as establishing a fiscal sponsorship or donor advised fund (DAF).
Andrew’s breadth of experience in nonprofit corporate governance enables him to intervene at the eleventh hour to support crisis management strategy, and remedy operational issues that may threaten public perception or even an organization’s tax-exempt status. Over the past decade, he has successfully obtained numerous retroactive reinstatements of tax-exempt status revocations, public charity reclassifications and waivers of IRS penalties for tax filing deficiencies.
Based in Washington, DC, Andrew leads clients in the development and execution of public policy efforts, ranging from organizing and overseeing witness appearances before congressional committees, to arranging targeted private meetings with key members of Congress and the Administration. Leveraging his depth of experience and relationships within political circles, Hollywood and professional sports, he helps clients develop a legislative advocacy strategy and integrate public policy into their long-term business planning.
Along with award-winning actress and philanthropist Julia Ormond, Andrew Co-Founded the Alliance to Stop Slavery & End Trafficking (ASSET), and serves on the Board of Managers of the University of Pennsylvania Law School’s Law Alumni Society, as well as the Advisory Board for the Penn Law Public Service Program.
For his extensive advocacy on behalf of nonprofit clients, the D.C. Bar Association honored Andrew as Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year, and he also received the Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award from the Legal Aid Society. Penn Law recognized him with its Alumni Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to the development of law and the legal profession, as well as the Benjamin R. Jones Award for Law and Humanity, the Law School’s most prestigious public interest recognition. Andrew has been peer-selected as a Leading Lawyer annually since 2017.