Ishani Bakshi Founder
Our Adult Advisory Board
Clara Lappert
Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development and Montclair Community Farms
Matthew Newman
Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Dept. 4-H Youth Development and Former Peace Corps Volunteer
Emily V. Merchant
Department of Urban-Global Public Health at the Rutgers School of Public Health
Jack L. Harris
Assistant Teaching Professor and Program Director in Sustainability at Rutgers University
Gina Talt
Princeton University Sustainable Composting Research at Princeton (S.C.R.A.P.) Lab and Princeton Food Project
__N_8eW2MA5dDc11hE11ELf.webp?width=2048&quality=80&format=auto){kind=logo}
Amarilys Olivo Mockabee
Cooperative Education Coordinator @ Essex County Schools of Technology | Public Administration
Hajjah Dena Corbin
Board President for United Parks as One and serves on the South Ward Environmental Alliance Air Monitoring Advisory Board
Ricardo Kairios
Assistant Professor, Department of Family & Community Health Sciences, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County
Renata Blumberg
Associate Professor, Nutrition and Food Studies, College for Community Health at Montclair University
Zaire Ali
Executive Director of the Urban Health Collaborative, Raised $200,000+ to fight poverty and food insecurity
Jacqueleen Bido
CEO Bidoism | Elevate Newark| CSO Newark Science and Sustainability, Inc.
Jeanine Cava
Co-Founder & Executive Director, NJ Food Democracy Collaborative Certified ACRE Facilitator
Our Youth Board
Volodymyr Livel
Volodymyr grew up in a village in Ukraine, where farming and gardening were a way of life. In addition to farming, he loves music and sports.
Anish Keskar
Anish is a sophomore at County Prep High School in Jersey City, with a love for instruments and community service.
Jonathon C.
Jonathon is a junior at Seton Hall Preparatory School, who enjoys playing tennis, hanging out with friends, spending time with his dog, and traveling.
Aniya Clarke
Aniya is a 17 year-old entrepreneur from Essex County. She is a senior at Payne Tech and is a culinary student/intern involved in farm to table and agriculture.
Izzy Wise
Izzy is a junior at Oak Knoll School in Summit, New Jersey. She plays soccer and lacrosse, is part of her student council, and is a student ambassador at her school. She's previously worked with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.
Melanie Melchor
Melanie is a senior at High Tech High School and is excited to bring change to NJ Food Systems. She is based out of Hudson County.
Misheeta Thakral
Misheeta is a sophomore at McNair Academic High School. She is really passionate about youth advocacy and sustainability. Her hobbies include playing sports and learning new instruments.
Nikola Hill
Nikola is a Borlaug Scholar, President of Busy Bees and Seedlings Club at Highview Farms, and a Life Scout in Boy Scouts.
Riya Patel
Riya is a senior at High Tech High School in Secaucus, New Jersey, where she majors in Environmental Science. She is excited to improve access to nutritious food, support local economies, and ensure fair treatment across our food system
Saffron Cyriac
Saffron is a junior in high school. She loves to travel, hang out with friends, and play tennis. She enjoys learning about new cultures and experiences, and has a passion for helping animals and people.
Sophia Macasaet
Sophia is excited to be part of NJYFC and grow in faith, friendship, and service.
Kohana Matsuno
Kohana is ecstatic to be a part of the New Jersey Youth Food Council! She believes food is one of our basic needs and so helping others to have easy access will be her main goal to accomplish with my council members.
Rhiannon
Rhiannon is a senior in high school and is incredibly passionate the accessibility and sustainability of food in New Jersey. She loves cooking nourishing meals and experimenting with all the foods out there. Helping her community and the people of New Jersey have the best opportunities around them is her main goal.
Yazmina Harris
