Amherst Survival Center Staff:
Allison (she/her), Pantry Specialist
allison@amherstsurvival.org
Allison joined the Amherst Survival Center in June 2024 with a background in food security, leading volunteers, warehouse work, and customer service. She loves working with volunteers and making a difference in her community. She also has a love for all things soccer and England.
Autumn (she/her), Campus Pantry Specialist
autumn@amherstsurvival.org
Born and raised in Massachusetts, I am passionate about helping others and am honored to be part of the Food Pantry’s mission to support our community. My background includes service in the U.S. Air Force and experience working in a hospital, which deepened my commitment to service and care. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with animals and exploring the outdoors and all things nature.
Ben (he/him), Pantry Specialist
ben@amherstsurvival.org
Ben joined the ASC in 2023 as an intern, and then as staff in 2024. Originally from Iowa, Ben brings passion for the Center’s mission and enthusiasm to care for and participate in the local community, complementing his background in retail and food service.
Caitlin (they/them), Director of Programs
caitlin@amherstsurvival.org, x 107
Caitlin joined ASC in July 2026 with more than 12 years of experience in non-profit human services. Caitlin believes strongly in the power of connection and community and strives to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed and appreciated. Outside of work, they enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and nature photography!
Carleen (she/her), Executive Director
carleen@amherstsurvival.org, x 102
Carleen joined the Amherst Survival Center team as Volunteer Coordinator in October 2015. Her background is in education, organizing for social change, and she has had many happy years of volunteer service. Carleen speaks English, Spanish, and a little Mandarin.
Chris (he/him), Pantry Associate
chris@amherstsurvival.org
Chris joined The Amherst Survival Center staff in January 2021, after being a part of our COVID Response team for 6 months. Originally from Western Mass, he returned for family and to continue the community and environmental work he’d been doing in the Peruvian Andes. Excited to now work as a local, he’s found the Center’s mission, commitment, and vibe to be an exciting fit. He comes from a background of film, warehouse management, food service, finance, and organizing, but mainly wanderlust. Chris speaks English, conversational Spanish, and some tidbits of Quechua and German.
Elizabeth (she/her), Food Pantry Manager
elizabeth@amherstsurvival.org, x 104
Elizabeth joined the Center’s staff in June 2021 after 2 years as a volunteer and substitute coordinator. She is deeply committed to helping our community as a part of the ASC team. Her background includes experience in education and administration.
Emma (she/her), Executive Associate
emma@amherstsurvival.org
Emma joined the ASC staff in 2023. Having formerly worked as an intern at the Center, she was very excited to join the team in a greater capacity. Emma believes deeply in the ASC’s mission to provide service for all who walk through its doors. Outside of work, Emma has a passion for reading, writing, and the arts.
Jake (he/him), Campus Pantry Manager jake@amherstsurvival.org
Jake joined the Amherst Survival Center in April 2025. He has spent over a decade working in nonprofits, focusing on food access and youth mentorship. Jake has extensive experience in community engagement, program management, fundraising, and teaching. Originally from the Philadelphia area, Jake started his career in food justice working for Philubandance, the leading hunger relief organization for Southeast Pennsylvania. He believes strongly in the ability for food to bring people together and is excited to be a part of the Center’s mission and work.
Jo (she/her), HR & Admin Manager
jo@amherstsurvival.org, X 120
Jo joined the Amherst Survival Center in January 2025. With 17 years of experience in Human Resources across major corporations like Yankee Candle, she is delighted to find the perfect place to leverage her strengths as a good listener, active questioner, and empathetic spirit while contributing to a more compassionate and vibrant society. Driven by a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of positivity, she is committed to empowering individuals and organizations to cultivate flourishing environments where authenticity and mutual respect thrive. Jo cherishes simple joys like fresh flowers, cooking, and being near the water.
Karolyne (she/her), Community Meals Coordinator karolyne@amherstsurvival.org, x 103
Karolyne first joined the ASC staff in June 2022 after volunteering at the center for a year. After two years in her role as Kitchen Specialist, she is honored to continue building community and fostering connections through food as the Community Meals Coordinator since June of 2024. She has a background in food service, community engagement, and events in the non-profit arts. She loves all things food, culture, and being in nature. Karolyne speaks English, Spanish, and a little Portuguese.
Kim (she/her), Pantry Specialist
kim@amherstsurvival.org
Kim joined the Amherst Survival Center in 2024 as a volunteer and intern then in 2025 as staff. As a UMass Amherst alumna with a deep-rooted passion for distributive and social justice, she was very excited to join the Pantry team and address community needs from a different angle. Kim speaks English, Spanish and some Portuguese.
Laurel (she/her), Campus Pantry Specialist
laurel@amherstsurvival.org
Laurel joined the ASC staff in July 2025 after previously interning at the center. With a background varying from education and research, to farming and food service – all her work is rooted in her passion to collaborate and connect with those around her – whether plants, animals, or people. Not being from Massachusetts originally, the ASC has allowed her to find a sense of community – one which she hopes to sustain and tend to as her role within it grows in turn. Laurel speaks English and conversational Spanish.
Lisa (she/her), Volunteer & Outreach Manager lisa@amherstsurvival.org, x 111 or 413-238-1376
Lisa enjoyed volunteering in the food pantry at the ASC for six years and co-coordinating the Neighborhood Food Project. She was thrilled to join the staff as the Volunteer and Outreach Manager. Lisa speaks English and a little Spanish.
Marcus (he/him), Food Pantry Coordinator
marcus@amherstsurvival.org
Marcus joined the Amherst Survival Center in May 2022. He has a background in Education, Omni Operations, Management, and Program Coordination. He is also a certified instructor of Martial Arts, which he studied in Taiwan. While there he taught English, Math and Science to non-native English speakers. He is excited to be able to bring his abilities to be a force for growth in the community. Marcus speaks English and conversational Mandarin.
Miranda (she/her), Resource Coordinator
miranda@amherstsurvival.org, x 110
Miranda joined the Amherst Survival Center team in March 2021. She brings experience in social justice organizing and program coordination. Miranda finds great joy in building community, and is thrilled to work alongside everyone at the Center to ensure all our neighbors feel supported and have their basic needs met. Miranda speaks English and a tidbit of Spanish.
Nate (he/him), Communications and Media Associate
nate@amherstsurvival.org, x 101
Nate joined the ASC in 2026, bringing a decade of experience in community-centered storytelling. Previously an advertising creative director in Boston, NYC, and LA, his career has spanned organizations ranging from Major League Baseball to The New Yorker to Special Olympics. Nate is honored to support the ASC’s mission of expanding access to essential resources for our neighbors in need. Outside of work, you’ll find Nate adventuring with his family, playing music, riding bikes, or diving into the nearest body of water.
Sam (he/him), Director of Finance & Operations
sam@amherstsurvival.org, x 106
Sam joined the Amherst Survival Center in September 2020. He has a background in the non-profit arts community, where he has worked as staff and as an educator. He is driven by a deep belief in the efficacy of communal aid and support.
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
James Mallet (he/him), President
A graduate of UMass Amherst, James recently retired from the university after a 25-year career as a development officer raising funds to support students, faculty and university initiatives. Before transitioning into fundraising, he spent many years in printing and marketing in the San Francisco area and Boston. In retirement, James remains passionate about giving back, with a particular focus on addressing food insecurity and supporting community-based initiatives that help those in need.
Nel Grebler (she/her), Vice President
Nel brings technical perspective and spatial data expertise to leadership, backed by a foundation in cell and molecular biology and an M.S. in Geographic Information Science. She has a long history of volunteering extensively in food justice initiatives, wetland preservation, marine science, and animal welfare. Committees: Finance, Investment
Risha Hess (she/her), Treasurer
Risha was raised in Amherst. She spent 20 years working on sexual and reproductive health programs throughout the world, including living in India, Kenya, Papua New Guinea and Ethiopia. She is currently a consultant with Propelevate LLC working on the intersection of social impact and business approaches to better center clients/consumers. She returned to Amherst in 2020 with her daughter and is excited to be back! She is also a board member of the Amherst Affordable Housing Trust. Committees: Finance Committee Chair
Mary Custard (she/her), Clerk
Mary earned both her Bachelors and Masters of Education degrees at UMass Amherst. She has worked at Amherst Regional High School for 27 years. Along with serving on the ASC Board of Directors, Mary currently serves on District Attorney David Sullivan’s Citizen Advisory Board, the Amherst Community Emergency Response Team, and as an event volunteer for WGBY and the UMass Alumni Association. Mary very much enjoys hanging out with friends and family, traveling and exploring the world, being a sports fan, hiking and crafting. Commitees: Governance.
Mariela McAllister (she/her)
Mariela McAllister has extensive experience in audit, risk management, and financial governance. She brings a strong commitment to accountability and stewardship to her role on the Amherst Survival Center Finance Committee. Having lived in Amherst since 2007, Mariela is deeply connected to the local community. She enjoys spending time with her husband and four boys and tending her garden. Mariela is motivated by the Center’s mission to ensure dignity, food security, and care for the local community.
