Yvette Palmer (Chair)
Director, Helping Hands for the Hungry, St. Cyprian Church
Yvette Palmer spent 30 years as secondary math teacher in Philadelphia’s public schools before retiring in 2008. She now serves as director of Helping Hands for the Hungry, a soup kitchen at St. Cyprian Church in West Philadelphia, where she coordinates and hosts a monthly Saturday lunch for community members in need. Palmer has a Master’s in Education from Temple University.
Carrie Chelko (Treasurer)
Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel for Lincoln Financial Group
Carrie is the head of legal compliance for LFG, managing a team of over 50 individuals. She received the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2017 Women of Distinction Award, for “her commitment to the advancement of women and diversity in the Philadelphia business community.”
Dr. Susan Choi
Senior Director, Population Health, Health Care Improvement Foundation
Dr. Choi directs regional collaborative projects with regional health care providers to improve health care quality. Her areas of focus include food insecurity as well as chronic disease prevention and health literacy.
Bob Groves
Bob Groves, MA, MPH, has over 40 years experience in health and human services. For 25 years he held CEO positions with the Health Promotion Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Senior Center. He holds masters degrees in Urban Studies (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) and Public Health (University of Massachusetts). Mr. Groves received The Merit Award from the Pennsylvania Public Health Association for innovative approaches to public health problems and the Individual Award in Public Health from the Philadelphia College of Physicians. Since 2012 he has taught courses at Oscher Lifelong Learning Institute at Temple University including “Human Rights in the 21st Century”, “A Human Rights Film Festival” and “The Robots are Here-Now and Forever”. He also volunteers at his local public school and is an active member of the UN Association of Greater Philadelphia.
Gregory Kelleher
Greg's for profit work career spanned 20 years beginning in data systems in New York and Rhode Island, and later finance that included eight years in Europe and a new company, Cigna. After Cigna, he worked in the securities industry starting a boutique advisory firm with two colleagues, and then as CFO/CIO of a start up internet Trade Finance portal company. Following the sale of the start up, Greg took a step back and decided to offer his skills and experience in the non-profit sector. Greg has served as CFO of TAIG, Philabundance and the PA School for the Deaf. In addition, he serves at his church as an adult acolyte, usher, on the vestry, finance and investment committees and Treasurer of the men's group.
Jason C. Manfrey
Partner, Fox and Rothschild LLP
At his firm, Jason represents major creditors, trustees, and other partners in complex, high-profile bankruptcy cases. He is ranked as a leading bankruptcy attorney by Chambers USA and is a member of the presigious American Bankruptcy Institute. Jason is also particularly experienced in the automotive industry where he handles complex matters on behalf of automotive dealers in transactions and litigation. Jason graduated from Villanova University School of Business and earned his J.D. at Villanova University School of Law. As an active member of the Union League of Philadelphia, Jason is a benefactor of the Union League's non-profit foundations and serves on the Real Estate Committee.
Daniel Perez
Brand Manager-Thomas' s Brand, Bimbo Bakeries USA
Daniel has been with Bimbo Bakeries since 2013, and has studied and worked internationally in China, Mexico and the Philippines. His marketing background has consistently had a food focus, spurring his interest in the issue of hunger. Daniel comes to The Coalition having supported the organization with The Walk and Hunger Fighter Breakfast, and has volunteered for several years at local food pantries.
Marc Policarpo
Westfield Real Estate
Marc is an active principal in several real estate projects, including the award-winning redevelopment of Ambler Yards. Prior to forming Westfield Real Estate in 2018, he spent 30 years as a commercial broker with Binswanger and Colliers International. As a seasoned real estate professional with 31+ years in the industry, he has negotiated many of the largest and most complex commercial transactions in the tri-state region. Marc has been a trusted advisor to major corporations for strategic portfolio management and lease administration, and has been called upon to testify as an expert witness in real estate cases. Mac is a graduate of Saint Joeseph's Prep in Philadelphia and earned his BA in economics from Fairfield University.
Robin Rifkin
Robin has directed food and nutrition projects around the country for over 35 years, directly focused to improve food security. Her education background is in food and nutrition with post-graduate coursework in organizational development, and facilitation. She now consults on nutrition education, food systems, and health literacy, and is a Certified Facilitator for strategic planning and system change processes. Robin volunteers with the Coalition Against Hunger, The Steering Committee for the Jewish Federation's Mitzvah Food Project, co-leads the Hazon Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) of Elkins Park, and co-facilitates Act Against Hunger, an advocacy project of MAZON, A Jewish Reponse to Hunger, and the social action committees of the synagogues of the Kehilah of Old York Road.
Elizabeth M.P. Rubin (Secretary)
Chair of The Pincus Fund for Hunger Relief
Elizabeth has over 20 years of non-profit Board and volunteer experience. She dedicates her time to doing what she can to improve the lives of those less fortunate. The non-profit organizations Elizabeth works with fall into three different categories: hunger relief in our community; arts and music education, particularly for children living in poverty; and organ and tissue donation awareness, support and advocacy. Prior to this volunteer work, Elizabeth was employed as a litigation paralegal at a law firm in Philadelphia for over ten years.