Prior to joining East End Food Institute in 2018, Kate built her career at Group for the East End, Southampton Hospital (now Stony Brook Southampton Hospital), and most recently at the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University. To complement nearly two decades of experience, Ms. Fullam holds a Masters degree in Nonprofit Administration. She is an appointed member of the Southampton Town Planning Board, Suffolk County Food Policy Council, and New York State Urban and Rural Food Procurement Advisory Group. Her wide range of experience with local and regional issues related to environment, economy, science, and human health are now united toward the goal of creating a more sustainable and equitable local food system.

Bob grew up in Western Suffolk County in Lake Grove, NY where he attended Centereach High School. Bob holds a B.A. Drama degree (with a minor in Religious Studies) from Ithaca College. After short stints living in Nantucket, New York City, South America, and the Catskills, Bob lived in Portland, Oregon for 10 years. While in Portland he earned a Masters degree through the Leadership in Ecology, Culture, and Learning program at Portland State University and worked with the Portland Fruit Tree Project for 7 years as the Program Manager. In 2018, Bob joined East End Food Institute as Operations Manager and was promoted to Associate Director in 2020. He lives in Hampton Bays with his wife and two sons.

Chef Jay Lippin’s background includes tenures as Executive Chef at The Odeon and Cafe Luxembourg in New York City, Executive Chef at Crabtree’s Kittle House Restaurant in Chappaqua, NY, and most recently as Executive Chef at Baron's Cove in Sag Harbor, NY. He was also a winner of the TV show "Chopped" and WFAN’s “Tailgating Essentials & Barbecue Contest.” As East End Food Institute’s Executive Chef, Jay is certified as a Food Manager and has completed Better Process Control School coursework for production of shelf-stable goods.

Miranda Capriotti grew up in California, where she received a B.S. in Clinical Nutrition from the University of California, Davis. Wanting to learn more about the intersection between health and food systems, Miranda spent years farming in Northern California and Italy, and later, diving into the work of community nutrition. As East End Food Institute's Outreach & Education Manager, she also serves as the Farm to School Coordinator for five East End school districts. Miranda moved to the North Fork in 2020 with her husband and son, where they enjoy beach days, hiking, and visiting the local libraries.

Hailing from northern Virginia, Zachary has been working in restaurants for the past twelve years spanning from the multi Ramy Award winning Clarity in Vienna, VA, to Holy Ground in Tribeca, NY. He’s a musician, artist, avid gardener and supreme home body. In 2022, Zachary moved to Riverhead to be with his long-time girlfriend, Devin. Live music is a huge part of who he is, so if Umphrey’s McGee is in town, he’s there. Zachary prides himself on cooking with positivity and building positive kitchen culture.

Kristina was born and raised in Lithuania on her family's farm. She was very lucky to be the last generation to experience old fashioned organic farming, inheriting old European traditions of producing and naturally preserving fruits, vegetables, meats and wine. In 2012, she moved to the beautiful North Fork and has felt at home ever since, surrounded by beautiful East End farms. She is a firm believer that the goal of life is a real sense of community and connection to nature.

Kayla grew up on Long Island and is proud to call the North Fork her new home. In search of wilder places, she moved north towards the Adirondacks to receive a B.S in Conservation Biology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Her love for plants and nature led her to study permaculture, regenerative farming and herbalism in New York, Oregon, Italy and Hawaii. Eventually finding her way back home in 2016 and putting down roots in Cutchogue while working with Sang Lee Farms and giving back as a community Herbalist. Kayla is very excited to join East End Food and to support this unique local food system.

As Operations Coordinator, Kaysha spends her time in the production kitchen, maintaining inventory and developing our product ingredient labels. After being raised upstate near Albany, she graduated from Binghamton University and stayed in the area while working for Wegman's Food Markets and then for the certification agency, NOFA-NY Certified Organic. Kaysha is a member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, an artist and self-taught baker. She also brings experience from her other hobbies related to growing, foraging and food.

Eric Adelmann graduated Eastern Suffolk Boces in 2012 with training in food preparation and attended Skills Unlimited, which is a free education program that enables youth to perform academically, socially, and professionally at the highest levels within the parameters of their capabilities. He has worked in food service with Hyatt East End in Riverhead, Lobster Roll, Pulaski Street Grille, Joe's Crab Shack, and For Goodness Cakes. In the summer of 2011, Eric also served as a field hand at Fowler Farms, Inc. He joined the East End Food Institute team in 2020 as a Food Production Assistant, where he supports the kitchen team in processing local farm produce and ensuring a clean facility.

Rachel grew up in Nassau County and made her way to the east end working with horses. She has a Chemistry degree from Mary Washington College and a background working in laboratories in the environmental and pharmaceutical fields. After taking time to raise her two children, she joined East End Food Institute. Her responsibilities at EEFI are both in the kitchen and on the road which allows her to participate in the whole process as fresh, local produce arrives in the kitchen to be processed into a meal or shelf stable product and is then delivered to the local community. Rachel enjoys community theater, live music, and walking on the beach.

Debra Halpert is the president and CEO of Monroe East Consulting, a marketing and branding activation company that creates, plans, and facilitates programs and initiatives with companies people, products and services. Prior to launching her company 5 years ago, she was the group publisher of Niche Media leading Hamptons Magazine for over 13 years. During her tenure at Hamptons Magazine, she spearheaded the magazine’s growth in all aspects of its business functions including print and digital sales as well as its marketing platforms. Halpert lives in East Quogue, New York with her husband David Greenberg. She is the mother of three grown children Brittany, Chelsea and Julian Dankner and son in law Lee Jones and step mother of Jason and Melissa Greenberg and grandmother to Ellah and Eli Greenberg.

Peter Treiber, Sr. was a longtime summer resident of Orient, New York, moving there permanently with his wife, Irene, in 2023. As Chief Operating Officer of his family’s third generation Property & Casualty Insurance Group, Peter oversaw the success of the company until its sale in 2009. Today, Peter owns Treiber Farms in Peconic, New York, with his wife and son, Peter Treiber, Jr. The 60-acre farm boasts a variety of organically farmed fruits, vegetables, and livestock, supplying to restaurants and individuals across the East End. As a Co-Chair of East End Food’s Board of Directors, Peter brings a depth of professional experience enhanced by years in the field at his family’s farm.

Cindi Crain is a freelance journalist with extensive media and travel experience. She served on the board of directors of her family’s business-media empire, Crain Communications, for many years; founded the glossy Golf & Travel magazine; and earned a master’s degree from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism. She lived in Kenya for 6 years where in 2001 she founded VirginBush Safaris, a conservation-minded safari company in East Africa which she continues to manage from the East End. Cindi also proudly serves on the Transgender and Gender Non-Binary Patient and Family Advisory Council at NYU Langone Health in New York City and serves as a board member of Goat on a Boat puppet theatre in Sag Harbor.

George Olsen is the managing principal of New York City Regional Center LLC, a real estate and infrastructure financing company that he co-founded in 2007, and was a commercial and residential real estate developer and attorney for more than 25 years. Before graduating from Fordham Law School, he was a minority business representative at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. George served with the United States Marine Corps from 1967 to 1970, including a tour of duty as an infantry platoon and company commander in Vietnam; he was honorably discharged at the rank of captain. George has drawn on his development experience to help guide the development of EEFI’s Riverhead location.

Evan Mason is founder of Deco Works/Evan Mason Designs, a sustainable interior design firm that performs a range of design and energy services. Her background in historic preservation, energy efficiency, green building and landscaping informs her unique interior design perspective. In addition to running her design firm, Evan consults for a woman-owned engineering firm, conducting energy audits, green physical needs assessments and inspections of NYC buildings. These projects include ice rinks, nursing homes, affordable housing residential projects, brownstone renovations and apartments.

Michael Braverman has lived in East Hampton for most of his life and has deep roots in the community having started and built a real estate brokerage business with three offices, now part of Sotheby’s. As a journalist he has written a wine column for the East Hampton Star, hosted the TV broadcasts of Bridgehampton Polo, and until 2019 was senior editor-at-large of Hamptons Magazine. He has held board and officer positions on a number of local nonprofit organizations.

Anthony Cappa has been providing executive-level management consulting services for more than 20 years. He has wide-ranging experience working with Fortune 500 corporations, nonprofits, and start-up companies. After a corporate career at IBM and Credit Suisse, he worked with several entrepreneurial ventures and served in numerous leadership positions, including CEO and CIO. He has helped organizations with strategic planning, business development, marketing, and raising investment capital. Anthony lives in Sag Harbor and is an advocate for EEFI’s important programs here on the East End. As a member of the Outreach Committee, he has used his skills to help improve marketability for EEFI products.

Amy Dorn Kopelan is Executive Producer, President and Founder of Bedlam Productions Inc., a leading media training, presentation coaching, and conference strategy company that has been training CEOs and senior leaders for over 25 years. Having launched her company in 1999, Amy’s clients range from leaders of Fortune 500 companies, universities, and entrepreneurial ventures to leaders in medicine, technology, and government. Over the last several months, Amy has worked with EEFI as a volunteer in the kitchen and has begun to provide branding and marketing advice, as well as executive coaching.

Claudia Pilato is the founder and president of Pilato PR + Marketing Consultants, a firm that brings strategic thinking and smart marketing skills to a diverse group of businesses and nonprofit organizations. Her background includes founding the firm Goebel Kirk & Pilato PR in Philadelphia, and after moving to the East End, serving as VP, Director Marketing for BNB Bank, developing brand strategy for its significant growth , which included three acquisitions. A community activist, Claudia has been involved in many non-profit organizations on the East End. She serves as Co-Chair of the Board of The Retreat, a domestic violence prevention agency and shelter, and is a founding member of All For The East End. AFTEE is currently focused on understanding and quantifying food insecurity across the five east end towns.

Sheri Sandler has a deep passion for food that originates from her family’s history in the business of sourcing and selling fish. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards to promote the arts, as well as ensuring safety and empowerment for women and girls of all backgrounds. As a member of East End Food Institute's Board of Directors, Sheri lends her wide array of talents and interests to provide healthy local food to those in need, support local farms and food producers, and grow a network of supporters to help create a better local food system.

A native of the New York metropolitan area, Mark Smith is the managing partner of Honest Man Company based in East Hampton. The restaurant management company operates five unique concepts in the Hamptons including one of the most eponymous restaurants in the Hamptons, Nick & Toni’s, who pioneered the farm to table movement utilizing local bounty. Additional restaurants include: Rowdy Hall, a pub/bistro venture in East Hampton, La Fondita, a Mexican taqueria in Amagansett, Townline BBQ, an authentic BBQ joint in Sagaponack and Coche Comedor, a regional Mexican cuisine restaurant in Amagansett. Honest Man also operates Honest Catering producing memorable events in the Hamptons.

Mark-Antonio Smith is a former educator who has taught in the elementary education setting for the past 20 years in Los Angeles, CA, and Brooklyn, NY. During this period, he was given the opportunity to integrate his experiences in agriculture to the school’s existing curriculum. Having taught in both traditional and progressive settings, his experiences have shaped his conviction that children learn more deeply through their own experiences. In 2014, he created The Nurtury For Kids, a nonprofit that strives to create an atmosphere that affords children the opportunity to choose how they interact with regenerative and sustainable agriculture while demonstrating that growing food is possible in many spaces.

Deborah Van Zijl currently works as a wealth management advisor. She had a lengthy career in banking in New York City and was a partner of a private consulting firm. Deborah earned an MBA from Wake Forest University School of Business and a BA in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Originally from North Carolina, her relatives still own an over 100-year-old farm where she experienced farm to table food production firsthand with her grandparents. She currently lives in Southampton, NY with her husband Rick and has two children.