Board of Directors

Martin Pierce 

President since 2023

Martin Pierce brings decades of executive leadership, financial expertise, and entrepreneurial experience to the Fox Valley Food for Health Board of Directors. He spent 22 years as a partner at Ernst & Young, where he advised organizations on accounting, finance, and business strategy. Following his career in public accounting, Martin and his wife, Mari, owned and operated the AlphaGraphics print and marketing business in St. Charles, providing marketing and communications services to businesses and organizations throughout the Fox Valley.

A native of Indiana, Martin earned his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Indiana University. He has called St. Charles home for nearly 20 years and has been actively involved in supporting the local community. Martin assumed the role of Board President in 2023 and is committed to advancing the organization's mission of providing medically tailored meals and nutritional support to individuals and families facing serious health challenges.

Through his background in finance, business ownership, and strategic leadership, Martin provides valuable guidance to help strengthen Fox Valley Food for Health's long-term growth and impact within the community.

Scott Green

Scott Green brings a unique blend of culinary expertise, financial leadership, and community service to the Fox Valley Food for Health Board of Directors. As a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, Scott leads a fiduciary practice focused on helping individuals and small businesses achieve their financial goals through thoughtful planning and guidance.

Before transitioning into the financial industry, Scott spent nearly two decades as an accomplished pastry chef, leading high-level kitchens across the country and earning both national and international recognition for his culinary achievements. His firsthand experience managing kitchen operations, budgets, and teams provides valuable insight into both the day-to-day and strategic aspects of Fox Valley Food for Health's mission.

Scott's commitment to the organization is deeply personal. Inspired by his family's experiences with illness and a desire to give back to the community, he joined Fox Valley Food for Health to help ensure individuals facing health challenges have access to nutritious meals and meaningful support.

"Community and nourishment are so essential when you're battling illness. They can be literal lifelines during the darkest time in someone's life. The fact that I can be a part of that support for people in our community through Fox Valley Food for Health is what drives my passion and commitment to the organization."

Scott lives in Batavia with his wife, Madeline, and their rescue cat, Fox.

Heather Houston

Heather Houston is the Brand Director for Guittard Chocolate Company. A native Texan, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Tarleton State University before pursuing her passion for pastry, earning a L'Art de la Pâtisserie certificate from The French Pastry School in Chicago. Her move to the Midwest marked the beginning of an 18-year career in the chocolate industry, where she has combined her love of exceptional food with her professional expertise. Along the way, Heather also earned a Master's in Applied Psychology from the University of Southern California.



In 2013, Heather joined Fox Valley Food for Health as a volunteer mentor chef, working alongside teens in the kitchen and discovering a deep passion for the organization's mission. She now calls Elgin her hometown, where she enjoys baking, sharing food with friends, and spending time with her two dogs, Ella and Charlie.

Vera London

Vera London is a dedicated real estate professional with Baird & Warner, bringing a strong background in sales, marketing, and relationship building. Prior to her career in real estate, she served as an Area Manager, leading marketing initiatives for one of the Midwest's largest retail chains.

Vera holds a Bachelor of Arts in Community Health from the University of Nebraska and an Associate of Science in General Education from Snead State Community College. She joined the Fox Valley Food for Health Board of Directors in 2024, inspired by her passion for nutritious food and its role in improving health and wellness within the community.



Outside of work, Vera enjoys cooking, running, cycling, and spending quality time with her husband, Frank, and their three children, Kenadie, Francesca, and Frank III.

Meera Atkins

Dr. Meera Atkins is a physician and longtime member of the Fox Valley healthcare community with extensive experience in both clinical medicine and healthcare leadership. After many years in clinical practice, she transitioned into executive leadership roles, where she has focused on advancing whole-person care, improving patient outcomes, and addressing the social determinants of health that influence overall well-being.

Dr. Atkins earned her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, further strengthening her expertise in healthcare strategy, leadership, and organizational development. She is passionate about the mission of Fox Valley Food for Health and believes that access to nutritious meals and community support can make a meaningful difference for individuals and families facing serious medical challenges. She is equally inspired by the organization's commitment to empowering local teens through culinary education, service, and leadership opportunities.



As a member of the Fox Valley Food for Health Board of Directors, Dr. Atkins is committed to advancing the organization's mission and expanding its impact throughout the community.

Jerry Perez

Jerry J. Perez, a recently retired Senior Vice President, brings more than four decades of sales, business development, and executive leadership experience to the Fox Valley Food for Health Board of Directors. His career has spanned three industries, beginning at Frito-Lay, continuing as Managing Partner of Thatcher Tubes, and culminating as Senior Vice President of Sales at Follett Solutions. Throughout his career, Jerry developed a strong track record of building teams, driving growth, and providing strategic leadership, experience he now brings to the organization.



A St. Charles resident for more than 30 years, Jerry and his wife, Kay, raised their three sons in the community and remain deeply committed to giving back. As both a weekly meal delivery volunteer and a board member, he has witnessed firsthand the impact Fox Valley Food for Health has on individuals and families facing cancer and other serious illnesses. Jerry is passionate about expanding the organization's reach and ensuring that more neighbors receive the nourishment, compassion, and support they need during some of life's most challenging moments.

Sue Carey

Sue Carey graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. She retired after a successful 30-year career with ADP, a leading payroll, human resources, and benefits company, where she gained extensive leadership experience in implementation and project services, recipient services, and training.

Following her retirement, Sue sought an opportunity to give back through an organization that reflects her passion for healthy eating and her belief in the healing power of nutritious food. She is proud to support the mission of Fox Valley Food for Health and is committed to helping expand its impact throughout the community.

Sue has called Batavia home since 1999, where she and her husband, John, raised their three sons. Over the years, she has been an active volunteer in Batavia schools, youth sports organizations, and her church community, while also supporting a variety of local nonprofit initiatives.

In her free time, Sue enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, biking, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Staff Members

Chris May 

Executive Director

Chris May is an experienced nonprofit leader with an MBA and more than 18 years of success in sales, marketing, operations, and organizational development. He began his career in 1995 at Husqvarna before joining Hilti Corporation in 2009, where he built a strong reputation within the construction and infrastructure industry through strategic sales and business development.

In 2012, Chris transitioned from the for-profit sector to pursue his passion for serving nonprofit organizations. Since then, he has provided business operations and leadership expertise to organizations in DuPage County, Midtown Manhattan, and Colorado Springs, helping strengthen their operations, expand their impact, and advance their missions.

Chris's expertise lies in organizational operations, strategic development, and team leadership. His passion for serving others and guiding diverse groups of people toward a shared mission continues to drive his work. As a member of the Fox Valley Food for Health Board of Directors, he is committed to supporting the organization's mission and helping ensure its long-term sustainability and growth.

Chris lives in Oswego with his wife and their three children.

Laraine DeSoto

Executive Chef

Laraine began her journey with Fox Valley Food for Health in October 2018 as a volunteer before transitioning into the role of Associate Chef & Procurement Coordinator. In this position, she combines her expertise in nutrition, food service, and procurement to help ensure recipients receive nourishing, medically tailored meals during times of serious illness.

Her passion for food and service began with her first job, working for a family friend who catered large events. She later earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Service Management from Iowa State University and went on to build her career working in hospitals throughout the Chicago area, where she gained valuable experience in clinical nutrition and food service operations.

Fox Valley Food for Health brings together Laraine's two lifelong passions: preparing nutritious meals and supporting individuals and families facing health crises. She is honored to play a role in helping improve the well-being of recipients through the healing power of food.

Laraine resides in St. Charles with her husband and son and also has a daughter who lives in Pennsylvania.

Carrie Barley

Marketing and Volunteer Coordinator

Carrie Barley has been a valued member of the Fox Valley Food for Health family since 2017, when she began volunteering as a Delivery Angel. After delivering meals to her 20th recipient, she transitioned into the role of Marketing and Volunteer Coordinator, where she now oversees volunteer engagement, marketing initiatives, and community outreach.

Carrie's firsthand experience with Fox Valley Food for Health, combined with her passion for the organization's mission, has enabled her to build meaningful relationships with more than 175 volunteers while helping grow awareness and community involvement. She holds a degree in Advertising from Michigan State University and brings years of professional experience in advertising and marketing, making her an invaluable asset in advancing the organization's mission and expanding its impact.



Carrie lives in St. Charles with her husband and their two children. Together, they enjoy staying active in the community, spending time outdoors, and supporting the mission of Fox Valley Food for Health.

Stephanie Marnell

Recipient Care Coordinator

Stephanie Marnell brings a unique combination of professional expertise and personal experience to her role as Recipient Care Coordinator at Fox Valley Food for Health. With a background in nursing and years of experience in home health care, she made a seamless transition into her current role, where she works closely with recipients to guide them through the enrollment process and ensure they receive the support and medically tailored meals they need.

Stephanie's connection to the organization is deeply personal. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, she became a recipient of Fox Valley Food for Health's services and experienced firsthand the impact the organization has on individuals and families facing serious illness. Inspired by that experience, Stephanie dedicated three years as a kitchen volunteer and Delivery Angel before joining the staff.



Today, she is honored to help others during some of life's most challenging moments by connecting them with the care, nourishment, and support that once made such a meaningful difference in her own journey.

Sandy Kling

Recipient Care Coordinator

Sandy began her journey with Fox Valley Food for Health in 2019 as both a Delivery Angel and a member of the Administrative Team. Through these roles, she developed a deep understanding of the organization's mission and the meaningful impact it has on recipients, volunteers, and the community.

She was excited to transition into the role of Recipient Care Coordinator, where she combines her knowledge of the organization, her passion for serving others, and the strengths she developed throughout her business career. In this role, Sandy works closely with recipients, helping them navigate the enrollment process and ensuring they receive the support and medically tailored meals they need during times of serious illness.



Sandy has witnessed firsthand the difference Fox Valley Food for Health makes in the lives of recipients, as well as the valuable life skills, confidence, and sense of service it instills in the teens who volunteer in the program. She resides in Geneva with her husband and their three children.

Tracy Noel

Organic Garden Program Coordinator

Tracy grew up in Chicago and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from a small environmental college in northern Wisconsin. Following graduation, she embarked on a journey of work and travel throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Australia, experiences that deepened her appreciation for sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and community.

Tracy's career has been defined by her passion for sustainable farming, education, and advocacy. She is driven by a desire to serve others while promoting environmental health and responsible land stewardship. She is deeply committed to living simply, caring for her family, and using natural resources wisely.

In addition to managing the production of the Fox Valley Food for Health Organic Garden Program, Tracy inspects farms for organic certification and has the privilege of working alongside farmers at the historic Kline Creek Farm. Through these roles, she helps ensure sustainable growing practices while supporting the organization's mission of providing fresh, nutritious ingredients for medically tailored meals.



Tracy is passionate about connecting people with the land and believes that healthy food begins with healthy soil, thoughtful farming practices, and a strong sense of community.

Ruth Groven

Event Coordinator

Ruth Groven brings a unique blend of engineering, business, and community engagement to her role as Event Coordinator at Fox Valley Food for Health. She is passionate about connecting donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners to the organization's mission of providing nutrition support for individuals and families experiencing a health crisis.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University, Ruth spent 13 years in engineering, operations, and commercial leadership roles, developing expertise in project management, strategic planning, and relationship building. She and her family settled in Geneva in 2006, where she has remained actively involved in the local community through volunteerism and nonprofit service.

Ruth first became involved with Fox Valley Food for Health as a volunteer and was inspired by the organization's profound impact on recipients and their families. Today, she leads the planning and coordination of fundraising events while fostering meaningful partnerships that strengthen community support and advance the organization's mission.

Ruth is dedicated to creating engaging fundraising opportunities that inspire generosity, expand awareness, and help ensure more neighbors receive nutritious, medically tailored meals when they need them most.

Theresa Arends

Administrative/Development Assistant

Theresa joined the Fox Valley Food for Health team in the fall of 2025 after her son, Leo, volunteered as a Teen Chef and introduced her family to the organization's mission. Inspired by the meaningful impact Fox Valley Food for Health has on both recipients and teen volunteers, she was excited to become part of the team and contribute to its continued success.

Prior to joining the organization, Theresa built a successful career as a compensation analyst, with extensive experience in compensation research, market analysis, and data-driven reporting across both consulting and corporate research environments. She holds a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University and brings a strong quantitative background, advanced Excel expertise, and a detail-oriented, analytical approach to her work.

Beyond her professional experience, Theresa has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to community service through volunteer leadership, educational initiatives, and fundraising efforts. Her passion for serving others and supporting mission-driven organizations aligns closely with the values of Fox Valley Food for Health.



Theresa lives in St. Charles with her husband and their two sons, where they enjoy being active in the community and supporting causes that make a lasting difference.

Our Volunteers

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