Who We Are (Draft)

Jessi has a passion in food access and sustainable agriculture and believes the two go hand in hand to create an equitable food system. Since 2018, Jessi has grown the Brighton Farmers Market to one of the largest in the city. She also manages ABHC’s farm share program and supports member organizations and community residents to develop and sustain affordable and accessible food access options in the neighborhood.

Jessi earned her BA at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in 2010. She also received a Certification in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Policy from the Friedman School of Nutrition and Science and Policy at Tufts University.

Jessi lives in Newton with her partner and their pooch, Cooper. Many moons ago she played competitive ice hockey and really enjoys keeping the skating passion alive by searching for beautiful ponds to skate on during the winter.

Trained in both urban planning and public health, Jonathan is passionate about designing healthy neighborhoods. He first joined ABHC as a Transportation and Mobility Committee (TMC) member, then as a Mobility Advocate. Now, as a part-time manager for the committee, he helps support fellow advocates in all things transportation and mobility in Allston-Brighton. He is a proud resident of Allston and shares the vision of the TMC in creating an equitable, sustainable, and healthy transportation and mobility system for all residents of the neighborhood.

Nikhil is a musician, former food entrepreneur, and former software developer. Across a wide breadth of industries, his work has always been driven by a passion for building community and connection.

After a years-long struggle with chronic illness, he learned profound lessons about the meaning of health, the importance of food access, and the power of community, and now, having recovered, seeks to apply his community building efforts toward enriching his new neighborhood of Allston-Brighton. He is deeply motivated to build a more resilient and abundant local food system, and to revitalize a sense of in-person community among all neighborhood residents.

His weekday distractions of choice are playing his upright piano, taking a walk with a podcast, and extending his NYT Connections streak.

Bianca is passionate about building community power, leadership, and resilience. She is excited to do her part to support community resilience and sustainability through bringing fresh, locally sourced food to the Brighton/Allston community. Bianca previously worked at the Environmental Justice organization GreenRoots in Chelsea, MA for four years where she led community-based climate resilience projects, increasing urban tree canopy and access to flood-resilient green spaces for community members. She absolutely loves getting to know people and getting deeply involved on a local level—and therefore is thrilled to do so where she lives in Allston/Brighton.

Bianca speaks Spanish, and loves when people teach her phrases in Brazilian Portuguese. She is originally from the Washington, DC area and graduated from the College of William & Mary in Virginia. She studied Environmental Science & Policy and English Literature, and also has a background in community-based citizen science research, environmental field work and forest fire management work. Bianca loves taking trips to the mountains to hike and camp, and is also a volunteer with The Venture Out Project, helping lead outdoor trips for queer folks in New England. She loves eating (particularly spicy and Southeast Asian food), reading fantasy and science fiction, and attending music and arts events throughout the Boston area. Bianca is also very interested in farming and growing food and plants, so would welcome any tips from seasoned growers!

Elaine McCauley Meehan has worked in Healthcare Management in Boston and is an Education Advocate for Special Education, reflecting her commitment to improving the well-being of individuals in need. Elaine’s areas of expertise span a wide range including pediatrics, women’s health, geriatrics, cancer, and support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

With a background as a district manager for Weight Watchers and Peet’s Coffee, Elaine has gained valuable skills in community engagement and leadership. She fondly recalls facilitating many meetings for Weight Watchers across the business community in the city of Boston, fostering a supportive and motivating environment for individuals on their wellness journeys. During that time Elaine was awarded the coveted Diamond Leader Award multiple times and was named Leader of the year twice. Growing up in a large family in Rockland, MA, Elaine learned the value of inclusivity, care, and motivation from a young age.

Married into Oak Square 29 years ago, Elaine has made a lasting impact on her community, raising two daughters and fostering children with love and dedication. Her values center around making people feel included, cared for, well-informed, and motivated to succeed. In addition to her professional endeavors, Elaine is actively involved in the community, serving on the Board of Friends of the Mary Lyon School and the Board of Spark a Life with Art.

With roots in California and Texas, Hesper has resided in Massachusetts for nearly a decade and holds a deep fondness for the seasonal changes the Northeast has to offer. As a first generation, low-income student who double majored in American Studies and Biological Sciences, their time at Wellesley College profoundly shaped how they engage with the world. Unbeknownst to her, cultivating spaces for marginalized students and basking in the campus’s gorgeous foliage laid the foundation for their future aspirations.

After graduation, Hesper pivoted from biomedical research to patient support to technology; they have since found immense joy in community-centered initiatives and rekindled their love for nature by working at an urban farm in Chelsea and outdoor education nonprofit in Cambridge. Prior to becoming ABHC’s RAY Community Organizing Fellow, Hesper attended many of ABHC’s initiatives including CAMP, Intro-to-Bluebikes group rides, and various workshops. They are a native Vietnamese speaker and care deeply about language accessibility; as she continues to practice Spanish and American Sign Language, she is eager to connect with and learn even more from neighbors who speak other languages in Allston-Brighton!

When she’s not tending to plants or taking a stroll around the neighborhood, she can be found immersed in a book, crafting away her day, hanging out with friends, or tinkering with a recipe.

Sandra Aronson is the Partnerships & Community Engagement Manager with the City of Boston’s Office of Food Justice, where she strengthens local food systems and improves community access to healthy, sustainable nutrition.

She previously managed the Network Leadership Institute at Food Solutions New England, researched food systems with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT in Colombia, and supported Massachusetts local health departments during the pandemic with Partners In Health. Sandra serves on the Allston Brighton Health Collaborative’s Food Access Committee and advises on renewable energy and health initiatives with Develop CHI.

A Colombian-American public health professional, Sandra holds dual master’s degrees in Science and Public Health Nutrition from Tufts University and a BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She is a Brighton resident who enjoys tending to her indoor and outdoor gardens, experimenting in the kitchen, and exploring all New England has to offer.

Ms. Barbour is a Licensed, Independent, Clinical, Social Worker (LICSW) with over 30 years of casework, supervisory, administrative, and program development experience in the field of human services. She has worked in a number of community-based nonprofit and public sector organizations specializing in community-based services for diverse populations.

For the last 25 years, Ms. Barbour has worked in the field of affordable/mixed income housing, as both a staff member of national nonprofits and a consultant/trainer to regional and national real estate management firms and service providers interested in developing and implementing resident service programs. Her experience includes multifamily, senior, special needs, affordable, HOPE VI, and mixed income housing. She has extensive experience as a senior level resident service director overseeing the development, financing and implementation of integrated resident service, self-sufficiency and supported housing programs.

Ms. Barbour earned a Masters degree in Social work at Boston University School of Social Work and has a B.S. degree from Utica College of Syracuse University, Utica, New York.

Ruby is an Epidemiology PhD Candidate at Boston University School of Public Health. Her research focuses on the health of birthing people and conducting meaningful research to improve risk communication for those planning on giving birth. Ruby is the communications co-chair of the Student and PostDoc Committee for the Society for Epidemiologic Research. She is a member of the Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research, the American Public Health Association, and the Association of Teachers of Maternal and Child Health. She has been an Allston-Brighton resident for 5 years as a renter and is very passionate about improving the safety and health of this community. Ruby is a year-round bike commuter and (when Boston weather fails her plans) an MBTA rider.

Ruby grew up in Vermont, where she was surrounded by a strong community that helped get her to where she is today. She holds a Masters in Public Health in Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Maternal & Child Health and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grinnell College in Mathematics & Statistics and Anthropology. In her free time, Ruby enjoys biking, running, sewing, and playing soccer!

Alex Cornacchini currently serves as the Executive Director of Allston Village Main Streets, a nonprofit working to promote, beautify, and economically develop Allston. He was born and raised in the Greater Boston area, and grew up hiking, skating, biking and traveling to visit family in Europe. Alex moved to Washington DC where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Law, Economics, and Government from American University, and worked at one of DC’s premier Business Improvement Districts. He then moved back up to Boston and got involved in Allston-Brighton community development work in his role with AVMS in 2019. He lives with his girlfriend and pet cats, Mo and Bobby, and when he’s not working hard to beautify Allston, you can find him biking around and exploring New England.

Aya has lived in Brighton since 2019 and absolutely loves being part of this vibrant community. Community health and wellbeing are super close to her heart – “I really care about making healthcare more accessible and advocating for better health resources for everyone in our neighborhood.” In her free time, Aya enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with families and community members.

Deepti Kumra is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and the Director of Behavioral Health at Charles River Community Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center with locations in Brighton and Waltham. In her role, she oversees behavioral health operations, including direct care, fiscal planning, and grants management, while actively expanding services to address gaps in care for underserved communities.

She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a clinical specialization in suicide prevention and trauma. Deepti’s career began on Nantucket Island, where she worked as a Mental Health Therapist at a community clinic. This role, where her clinic was often the sole provider of mental health services, deepened her commitment to community-centered care and highlighted the transformative impact of accessible, equitable services.

A steadfast advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), Deepti integrates these principles into all aspects of her work. She is currently enrolled in the Core Certificate Program at the Institute for Nonprofit Practice, a year-long initiative that equips leaders with the tools to make mission-driven, DEIB-centered decisions and create meaningful change within their organizations and communities.

An Allston-Brighton resident since 2019, Deepti brings a unique, holistic perspective to her work, bridging her professional expertise with a deep understanding of the community’s challenges and opportunities. Outside of work, she enjoys playing tennis, reading, and spending time with her family. Deepti’s passion for mental health, equitable care, and community well-being continues to inspire her mission to make a lasting difference in the lives of those she serves.

Nicolasa López is the Family Engagement Director at Gardner Pilot Academy, a community school in the heart of Allston, MA. Nicolasa has a Masters Degree in Education from Northeastern University. For over 20 years she has been working with underserved and immigrant families in the Boston area; connecting families with the most needed resources such as housing, health, food, etc. Studies have shown that when families don’t have to worry about these things, their children do better in school. More than a job she sees her job as a labor of love! She believes in humanity and the good of it, so amidst everything that is taking place in today’s world, She believes we are in a better place than we were 30-40 years ago. Yet, she knows that there still is a long road ahead of us to make things equitable for all!

Samilla has a passion for empowering immigrant communities and making sure all children have access to systems of support. As a result of her efforts, in 2014 she was recognized as the Parent Partner of the year by the Boston Family Engagement Network, in 2020 received the Allston-Brighton Community Leader Award by the Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation and most recently, has been the recipient of the 2021 Changemaker Awards by the Institute for Nonprofit Practices.
Her experience sits around non-profit agencies/organizations whose focus are families and children. Samilla is the founder of VA Consulting & Languages Solutions LLC where she applies her knowledge and expertise across different sectors through an open-minded vision and problem-solving approach to create better program flows and systems to better support their clients and data collection.

Samilla holds a certificate in community, medical and legal interpreting and translation from Boston University and a certificate in Advocacy and Leadership for child-centered communities from Urban College. In her free time, Samilla loves catching up with her friends, traveling with her family and trying new culinaries.

Jessica Zernitsky, a first-generation American, is deeply committed to advancing healthcare equity to individuals who lack access to care due to their lack of access to care. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health with a minor in Communications and is passionate about advocating for healthcare systems that serve all individuals, regardless of their race, background, and culture. Outside of her academic pursuits and advocacy, Jessica enjoys exploring new restaurants, staying active, and traveling to new destinations to discover the cultural diversity that is shared with her by locals.