Executive Director
Lesia Preston
Lesia Preston, Executive Director, serves as EHP's face to the broader community. She has been with EHP since 1982 and has been essential to program development over the past 2 decades. She works closely with the board of directors to plan for EHP's future. Lesia has an AA degree in Social Science with focus on Human Services and has extensive program administration and case management experience. She has served on many committees within the community in order to have a grasp on current needs, changes within the community and to be aware of resources available to EHP families. Lesia's extensive certifications include health and wellness, food and nutrition education, and health enhancement.
Associate Director
LaKesha Roberts
My journey as an employee began with EHP in 2013, however, I have been actively involved as a volunteer since my high school days at Eastside College Prep. I have fond memories of serving hot meals at Wednesday Night Meal (formerly Monday Night Meal), assisting in sorting and distributing gifts to children. I graduated from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania in 2010 with a BA in Mathematics and Education. While my path in school was focused on teaching, I spent most of my free time volunteering in the Philadelphia community. My passion has always been to help others. After graduation, I worked in different jobs as a counselor to troubled youth while still finding time to be a part of the EHP community. My role as the Associate Director is to ensure that we have adequate resources to serve the families in our community as well as overseeing program staff and HR responsibilities. EHP is more than a job; and I hope to continue a passionate career in serving my community.
EHP Staff
Jose Barragan, Food Closet Associate
A native to East Palo Alto, Barragan has made his way around this small city with big life from attending schools to working with the community.
Barragan continues to make his mark by doing what he loves, and that is giving back. He has worked with small businesses in the area and continues to make himself available to serve those in need through his position at EHP.
Barragan continues to make his mark by doing what he loves, and that is giving back. He has worked with small businesses in the area and continues to make himself available to serve those in need through his position at EHP.
Nevida Butler, Outreach
Nevida began her career in social work working for Jewish Employment Services in Missouri. When Nevida and her three children relocated to San Mateo County in 1973, she continued her career in social work with the American Red Cross. In 1976 she began volunteering at the Ecumenical Hunger Program. Her organizational and management skills quickly led to her appointment as Executive Director in 1981. In addition to leading EHP, Nevida was also elected to the East Palo Alto City Council in 1990. Nevida retired as ED in 2008 but returned to EHP as the Outreach Specialist and Warehouse Manager.
Nevida has been recognized and received awards from the NAACP, the SMC Women's Hall of Fame, the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce, the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, the Career Action Center, the California State Assembly and the Sertoma Club of Palo Alto.
Nevida has been recognized and received awards from the NAACP, the SMC Women's Hall of Fame, the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce, the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, the Career Action Center, the California State Assembly and the Sertoma Club of Palo Alto.
Mason Carthan, Assistant Driver
I have been a part of EHP since I was a youth, starting as a participant in the Mentorship program to becoming a volunteer. Today I am proud to be an EHP staff member. Helping people has always been a part of my character and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to help my neighors and give back to the community that helped raise me.
Savion Gallegos, Food Closet Associate
My name is Savion G. Working here at EHP has been therapeutic for me, allowing me to build my communication skills and help the community. EHP is like a home to me and provides a foundation to build skills. My experience at EHP helps me to progress in life and my career, and has helped me to learn patience and grow personally. I recommend everyone volunteer at EHP.
Rodia Grant, Food Closet Associate
Rodia Grant is an East Palo Alto native. An entrepreneur at heart, starting with a lemonade stand at the age of 9 and then a candy business at 17, she eventually owned several cosmetology/hair salons in San Mateo County before moving to Bamako, Mali with her husband. When he passed, Rodia returned to the US, but never lost her love for Mali, Senegal, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Currently Rodia is working part-time in EHP’s food closet and runs a small jewelry business. Rodia’s future plans include helping the people of West Africa by establishing the Grant West African Travels Concierge Service.
Benjamin Guillory, Maintenance Lead
My first encounter with EHP was as an adolescent, which became a lasting relationship into my adult years. Working here started as just a job; however, it is so much more than that. I cannot begin to express how extremely grateful I am to be an employee of an agency that plays such an important role in the community I live in. Being here feels right. This is my opportunity to serve my community in a meaningful way. I am truly blessed/elated to be a part of the EHP team.
Donald Hunter, In-Kind Donations Supervisor
I was born in San Francisco. I grew up and went to school in the Peninsula area. A friend told me about EHP. I was really interested in what EHP does for the community. It mindset has been “do whatever it takes to keep EHP running!”
Ellen Izuka, Development Associate
Before I joined EHP in 2018, I worked as a Dental Hygienist and more recently as a bookkeeper. When I first started at EHP, I only knew a little about the organization, but was immediately struck by the dedication, camaraderie and compassion shown by the staff and all the volunteers. The level of caring support and assistance EHP provides to our community is inspiring and I am excited to be part of the EHP family and the amazing work they do.
Kimberly Jackson, Food Closet Lead
Hello! I am Kimberly Jackson, I am Acoma Pueblo/Apache born in New Mexico and raised in Palo Alto, Ca. Before working at EHP my family had a setback which forced me to quit my job at Toyota and move to Arizona to take care of my dad. Covid hit while I was living in Arizona which in turn made it hard to be there for my dad and led me back to the Bay Area to help my sister with her school age kids. Moving back at first was rough because I knew I needed to help my family financially. So, I looked and with the help of prayer I found EHP! I first heard of EHP from Facebook, loved that they really get involved with helping families in East Palo Alto and the surrounding cities. Being able to work here has been a blessing in all shapes and forms, from seeing the many different beautiful faces of our clients to seeing the eagerness middle/high school kids have to give back. EHP is a continuously learning experience in human kindness and I look forward to the many happy faces we will help in the future.
Marcela Jibaja, Family Services Associate
I discovered EHP a few years ago. I started donating food and clothing. I was studying full-time and was looking for part-time jobs close to my home and school. I was living in Menlo Park at that time when I asked my friend that works at EHP if they were hiring, which to my luck they were. I started as a part-time employee and after a few years became a full-time employee, becoming the Family Services Associate. I speak Spanish thanks to my parents since they were the first ones that I translated for. Being bilingual helped me help others that are monolingual. I had many jobs before in the community as an education specialist, preschool teacher, case manager, and inclusion specialist. I am passionate about helping others. I graduated from San Jose State University in 2022 with a bachelor’s in social work (BSW). My journey continues helping others in the community.
Irene "Lene" Lauese, Family Services and Food Closet Associate
Hi, my name is Irene but I go by Lene. I'm a proud Pacific Islander Native who grew up in East Palo Alto. I started volunteering at Ecumenical Hunger Program back in 2016. Then I was offered a job in 2022. Working at EHP has taught me patience and appreciation. I continue to make my mark by making sure the clients feel loved and that we meet their needs the best way we can. Giving back to my community means a lot to me and makes me feel great at the end of the day, knowing that we helped families in need.
Susan Marconda, Food Closet Associate
I volunteered for EHP and then became an employee. I worked for 10 years and then resigned due to personal reasons. I stayed in contact with staff at EHP and one day I came by for a visit and found out they were hiring. I was rehired in April 2016. I enjoy my work at EHP because I like helping people, and that is what EHP does.
Antonio Noriega, Maintenance Technician
My name is Antonio Noriega. I live in Menlo Park but serve my immediate and extended community. While helping my community, I feel gratitude and build my community by showing kindness. My community experience and work at EHP has helped me to befriend many people from many places and extending my help feels very rewarding.
CarsJanae Pettiford, Executive Assistant
CarsJanae established ties to East Palo Alto in 2005. She has spent over a decade and a half working with nonprofits and the EPA community.CarsJanae is an advocate for those in need and a supporter of community efforts. She has devoted herself to help and serve. CarsJanae has worked with companies and non-profits in East Palo Alto like IKEA, Ecumenical Hunger Program, Voices of Recovery and Drew Health Foundation. She is a devoted wife and mother, and firmly believes in the need to establish a strong foundation in our communities for the betterment of our future generations. She is ecstatic for the opportunity to work somewhere that really makes a difference and creates a positive impact on all those blessed by EHP.
Todd Quackenbush, Donations Assistant
I have worked at EHP since October 2011. I am totally blind and I am a very independent person. I attended Palo Alto schools -- Juana Briones elementary, J.L.S. middle school, and Gunn high school where I graduated with a 3.72 grade point average in June 1995. Besides working at EHP Tuesdays and Thursdays, I attend De Anza College.
Braulio Robinson, Truck Driver
I was job searching on Craigslist and saw the position for a Truck Driver. I was waiting on two calls, and EHP called first. The job description matched my character, and what I was looking for with my next job. Prior to working at EHP I was a manager at a local Target. I started working at EHP August 2015.
Martin Santillan, Grounds Maintenance
My name is Martin Santillan. Helping my community and offering my help to EHP is a very rewarding feeling. Doing my part in helping tidy things here makes me feel grateful to do my part for the community and this is a great opportunity to help my community.
Frank Sinclair, Food Closet Associate
My name is Frank and I grew up in East Palo Alto. EHP has supported my family in many ways and made holidays possible for my family during those hard times growing up. Being part of EHP throughout my life has helped me be a better person and giving back to the community is truly a blessing.
Garry Smith, Food Closet Associate
My name is GARRY SMITH. I'm from Nicaragua. I joined Ecumenical Hunger Program in January 2023. Working and giving my time to EHP makes me feel good. It's like home away from home!
Delcy Taylor, Community Closet Lead
Delcy Taylor works as a lead in the Community Closet at EHP. She was born and raised in Pearl Lagoon, Nicaragua.
She came to California and was introduced to EHP by a friend. She started to volunteer in 2017 and eventually was hired in 2018. She loves helping others and nothing is more gratifying than seeing the happy faces of the people we serve.
"EHP is a blessing to many people including myself. I also enjoy interacting with our donors and volunteers. EHP is more than just a job to me."
She came to California and was introduced to EHP by a friend. She started to volunteer in 2017 and eventually was hired in 2018. She loves helping others and nothing is more gratifying than seeing the happy faces of the people we serve.
"EHP is a blessing to many people including myself. I also enjoy interacting with our donors and volunteers. EHP is more than just a job to me."
George Vakameilalo, Warehouse Associate
My Name is George Vakameilalo and I am an East Palo Alto native. As many Polynesian people I come from a huge family so it only felt right to join the EHP team. I first heard about EHP when I was in the 6th grade and became a volunteer, I volunteered up until I graduated from high school. I have watched EHP grow from a small food pantry to a well-organized machine. I have been passionate about our community and have always wanted to extend a helping hand to everyone in need. I see the families we help and I am proud to be part of the EHP family.
James Vakameilalo, Food Closet Associate
I was previously a volunteer at EHP and was hired as an employee in August 2016. As a teen I have done speaking engagements for EHP. I enjoy working at EHP because it’s not just a job, you are helping others. I am happy to be a part of the EHP family.
EHP Contractors
Maleah Choi, Development Consultant
Chloe Sorensen, Social Media Specialist
Chloe was born and raised in California. She studied Psychology and Feminist Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara and also received a certificate to teach English as a foreign language. From there, she became an English, Social Studies, and Dance teacher at Tulum International School in Mexico. Later on, she began using her skills as a social media point person for local restaurants, small businesses, and individuals needing assistance with their brand awareness
Chloe is the oldest sibling of three and has always loved teaching and guiding her younger brothers through life’s lessons. She wants to empower young minds through teaching key competencies such as social and self awareness, responsible decision making, relationship skills, and self management. She has always been an avid Community Outreach Coordinator, and loves connecting people together.
Chloe is the oldest sibling of three and has always loved teaching and guiding her younger brothers through life’s lessons. She wants to empower young minds through teaching key competencies such as social and self awareness, responsible decision making, relationship skills, and self management. She has always been an avid Community Outreach Coordinator, and loves connecting people together.
