Meet the Team

Maura Ackerman, Child Nutrition Outreach Program Director

Maura is the Assistant Director of Programs for Project Bread and the Child Nutrition Outreach Program Director. She holds a dual-Master’s degree from Tufts University—a Master of Public Health in Community Health and Nutrition and a Master of Science in Nutrition. She previously worked at the Boston Public Health Commission, Bowdoin Street Health Center, and Groundwork Somerville. Through her past and present work, Maura has developed a deep commitment to building partnerships that bridge the government, healthcare, education, and non-profit sectors, recognizing that each plays a critical role in building strong, equitable communities by increasing access to healthy food. In her spare time, Maura loves to spend time adventuring in the outdoors with her husband, daughter, and the family dog.

Contact: maura_ackerman@projectbread.org; 617-239-2576

Miriam Avila, Community Relations Coordinator

Miriam is the Community Relations Coordinator for CNOP. Miriam graduated from Emerson College with a degree in Writing, Literature, and Publishing. Before joining CNOP, she worked on various environmental and social change campaigns with the Public Interest Network's communication team. In her spare time, she enjoys learning new recipes and trying to read through the enormous stack of books on her to-read list.

Contact: miriam_avila@projectbread.org; 617-239-2539

Rosemarie Caward, Senior Outreach Coordinator

Rosemarie is the Senior Outreach Coordinator for CNOP. Rosemarie began her work with federal child nutrition programs as part of the National Anti-Hunger and Opportunity Corps in Philadelphia. She holds a Master’s degree from Brandeis University in Sustainable International Development. After serving in Botswana through Peace Corps, as well as serving communities in Bolivia, Mexico, and Liberia, she is delighted to invest in communities and support critical programs here in the states. In her free time, Rosemarie enjoys cycling and exploring the New England wilderness.

Contact: rosemarie_caward@projectbread.org; 617-239-2573.

Kristen Ciarlo, Program Associate

Kristen is the Child Nutrition Program Associate for the team. Prior to her current role she served as a Campaign Associate for Project Bread’s 50th Walk for Hunger, working to increase participation, promotion, and fundraising for the annual event. Kristen graduated from the University of Vermont in 2017 with a degree in Dietetics, Nutrition, and Food Science. In the near future she hopes to further pursue schooling in the public health field to expand on her interest in promoting community health through nutrition education. Hobbies include exploring new restaurants, spending time at the beach, and traveling.

Contact: kristen_ciarlo@projectbread.org; 617-239-2543

Holly Grace, Child Food Security Specialist

Holly is an AmeriCorps VISTA serving as CNOP’s Child Food Security Specialist. Holly recently graduated from Cornell University with a major in Biology and Society and a minor in Nutrition and Health. She is working in Medford, Malden, and Everett to expand, promote, and improve their Summer Eats programs as well as their school breakfast programs. Holly hopes to use her experiences from her year with Project Bread to be a conscientious and compassionate physician in the future. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time outdoors.

Contact: holly_grace@projectbread.org; 617-239-2526

Leran Minc, Data Manager

Leran is the Data Manager for CNOP. He earned his Bachelor's in Government & Policy from the University of Texas-Austin, and his Master's in International Development from American University. Before joining CNOP, he was an organizer and leader in the anti-genocide movement, particularly with STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition in Washington, DC. He has also worked as a kitchen manager, food trucker and a grocery & produce buyer. In his spare time, he dreams of opening a seasonally-inspired pizza or ice cream shoppe.

Krissy Scommegna, Outreach Coordinator

Krissy is an Outreach Coordinator for CNOP. She brings a breadth of experience in the food industry to the team. She began her journey in the food world as a sous chef in Northern California before moving to Boston to pursue a Master’s in Agriculture, Food and Environment at Tufts University. Prior to working at Project Bread, she was the Director of the Somerville Backpack Program and apprenticed as a whole animal butcher. She’s committed to good food and wrap around services that feed people where they are. Outside of the office, Krissy is most likely talking about food, thinking about food, or cooking something delicious.

Contact: krissy_scommegna@projectbread.org; 617-239-2575