photo credit above, Jane Messinger
Our Staff and Advisory board
Mark dacruz
executive director
Since 2008, Mark has committed himself to youth work in Boston. During his years at the West End House, Mark worked in direct service with young people, grew into a program director, and flourished in executive leadership as the Chief External Affairs Officer. He has an unparalleled commitment to young people, and is a natural collaborator, listener, and relationship-builder.
Contact Mark at mark@futurechefs.net
Toni Elka
Founder and senior advisor, ex officio
Toni Elka founded Future Chefs in 2008. With 20 years of experience in the youth development field, she is a serial innovator and committed social change agent. She received national recognition for her innovative leadership (Mass. Statewide Peer Leadership Institute) and founded the Circle of Girls program prior to Future Chefs. As the granddaughter of a union organizer and farmer and holding jobs as a cook and caterer, her passion for the culinary arts fueled her sense of excitement about directing a career program that addresses the needs of youth who might find fulfillment in this creative, hands-on field. In 2013 she received a Boston Neighborhood Fellows Award from the Philanthropic Institute and serves on the boards of Boston Day and Evening Academy and The Boston Private Industry Council. In May of 2015, Ms. Elka received an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Newbury College.
Contact Toni at toni@futurechefs.net
tawanna fulton
director of programs and partnerships
Ms. Fulton brings 20 years of experience to her role as Student Services Manager, nourished by a deep commitment to serving the needs of youth and families. During her time at Codman Academy and Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, she developed a host of skills including conflict resolution, problem-solving and program development. Ms. Fulton demonstrates success in supporting first-generation college students, youth and families in crisis and high school students building a post-secondary plan, working within her positions to advocate for equity and inclusion. Ms. Fulton received her B.A. degree from Simmons College and is currently pursuing her MBA degree at Fitchburg State University.
Contact Tawanna at tawanna@futurechefs.net
stephanie cogen
Director of Development and Finance
Stephanie comes to Future Chefs with a long-standing passion for food and building communities. Since 2015 she has been the Board President of the Newton Community Farm, leading the organization and its fundraising process and strategy. She also served as Administrative Director of the Newton Family Singers, and was a founding board member. She is a former attorney, having spent twenty years representing employees and labor unions in various industries. Stephanie holds a B.A. from Amherst College, a J.D. from Northeastern School of Law, and a Certificate from the Institute of Nonprofit Management.
Contact Stephanie at stephanie@futurechefs.net
Kristen Halbert
Director of Community engagement
Kristen is a seasoned community engagement and leadership development professional with over a decade of experience in civic advocacy and outreach. As a senior consultant, she worked with unions, nonprofits, and campaigns to connect movements at the neighborhood level. Kristen is an active community member, serving on the boards of Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, New Leaders Council Boston, and the Boston Comics in Color Festival. She holds an MS in Urban Planning and Community Development from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and resides in Roxbury.
Contact Kristen at kristen@futurechefs.net
Tiara andress
senior culinary manager
Tiara is a true Southern Belle from Amory, MS. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts, with a minor in Food Art and Journalism, from Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, MS. She then obtained her Master’s in food studies, concentrating in Communication, from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA. A dedicated academic, Tiara has taught at K-12 schools, community colleges, and technical colleges. She brings a wealth of experience from various sectors of the food industry, including food media and food manufacturing. Tiara is a lover of both food and fashion, with a deep passion for sustainable meat industry practices and agriculture. She aspires to own her own butcher shop one day. In the meantime, Tiara is excited to share her extensive knowledge with her team at Future Chef.
Contact Tiara at tiara@futurechefs.net
julius johnson
CULINARY Operations Manager
Raised in a Caribbean family, food has always been the centerpiece of love and community for Julius. His love for cooking and baking comes from years under his grandmother, mother, and uncle’s care.
Julius’ culinary training began as a student at Madison Park High, Boston’s technical vocational school. He learned about the former Spinazzola Foundation there and later enrolled. After graduating from Bunker Hill Community College, he was a pastry cook at Boston’s World Trade Center and a pastry chef at Ester. As pastry chef at Boston Common Coffee, Julius mentored young people from Build Boston, helping them structure and build their cookie business “Cookie Boss.” This experience launched him into serving the underserved, similar to those who benefited from the Spinazzola Foundation. Later, at Flour Bakery he gleaned experience from Joanne Chang in business management and the playing with flavors in the kitchen.
When not at Future Chefs, Julius can be found making custom cakes for his home-based business, Sifted Cakes Boston.
Contact Julius at julius@futurechefs.net
Mario Hines
Youth Development and outcomes Manager
Mr. Hines graduated from Robert Morris University with a Bachelor of Communications. Prior to joining Future Chefs, Mr. Hines worked as an educator and group care supervisor specializing in youth development and special education at several organizations including High Rock School, Eliot Community Human Services, Aspire Expanded Learning Program and Autism Services Association. Mr. Hines also has professional experience with several NFL teams and played professional football with the German Football League.
Contact Mario at mario@futurechefs.net
Kanicha Roman
Culinary Instructor
Kanicha is a Future Chefs alum, graduating in 2015. She spent many of her elementary school years in Puerto Rico and credits this experience to bringing her culture into her cooking, and encourages young people to do the same. After graduating from Madison Park High School, Kanicha attended Cambridge School of Culinary Arts through a Future Chefs scholarship, and received a certificate in pastry. She worked in many restaurants and kitchens in the Boston area, including for Chef Michael Mina’s private kitchen for the residents of the Millennium Tower and The Inn at Hastings Park in Lexington. In addition to her expansive culinary experiences, Kanicha brings a passion for making sure young people have a safe haven and a place to keep them engaged.
Contact Kanicha at kanicha@futurechefs.net
clarence joseph
youth work specialist
Clarence grew up in the neighborhood of Mattapan and lives there today. He loves working with youth, and supporting them in finding their pathway, whatever that may be. Teaching the sky’s the limit comes naturally to Clarence, as he set out to pursue flying and has his pilot’s license. In addition to working at Future Chefs, Clarence attends Bridgewater State University, working towards an aviation science degree. He has an appreciation for food and cooking, and enjoys helping youth in this setting.
Contact Clarence at clarence@futurechefs.net
Matthew cho
youth work specialist
Matthew Cho grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. He moved to the Greater Boston Area for college where he earned his B.A. in Ethnic Studies and Sociology with a minor in Asian American Studies from Tufts University. Through his time in Boston, he became deeply grounded in the political Asian American community in Boston and has done youth work in Boston Chinatown and Dorchester. He is passionate about youth work and positive youth development!
Contact Matthew at matthew@futurechefs.net
Talia Rodriguez
youth work specialist
Hailing from Maryland, Talia grew up in a family where cooking and eating together was the language of love. She graduated from Wesleyan University with a BA in Sociology and Theater in May of 2024. Drawing on her diverse background of youth work experiences (theater, outdoor education), she believes in Future Chef’s mission of life skills and knife skills. In her free time, she loves to play basketball, write plays, listen to music and spend time with her friends & family.
Contact Talia at talia@futurechefs.net
Abby Cohen
youth work specialist
Abby was raised in New Jersey with a passion for travel and learning. She graduated from McGill University with a degree in International Development, and wanted her career to demonstrate how sustainable development practices can support neighborhoods and build communities. Abby has previously worked in Boston at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) and supported Digital Equity work, ensuring that people in the Boston metropolitan area have equitable access to devices, reliable internet service, and skills training through digital equity plans and projects. She is excited to be working with Future Chefs and build resources for young people. Abby has experience leading youth as a certified TEFL instructor and former McGill University Research Lab Manager.
Contact Abby at abby@futurechefs.net
clove bullitt
development Manager
Clove began at Future Chefs as a Development and Finance Coordinator in 2022. They graduated from Wellesley College with a degree in political science and was involved in on-campus activism regarding transgender and disabled students. Clove also holds a certificate in Community Leadership and Social Change from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. They serve as a member of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition’s steering committee. In their free time, they enjoy watching the Criterion Channel, reading, and collecting CDs.
Contact Clove at clove@futurechefs.net
Gabby Mackiewicz
Development and finance coordinator
Gabby grew up in northern New Jersey. They graduated from Wellesley College in May 2024, where they earned a B.A. in Political Science and Mathematics. Gabby is passionate about social justice, community development, and data analysis. In their spare time, they can be found reading a book, taking a tap dancing class, or looking at local birds.
Contact Gabby at gabby@futurechefs.net
Connie forbes
Finance and Operations Coordinator
Following nearly 21 years working on staff at America's Test Kitchen, Ms. Forbes now dedicates her time and talent to giving back to her community. In addition to working part-time at Future Chefs supporting the operations and finance teams, her roles in the community include being on the board of the Garrison-Trotter Neighborhood Association and ABCD Roxbury N. Dorchester; a member of the Grove Hall Alliance; a Network Coordinator with Union Capital Boston; and as a community volunteer with Project RIGHT, Greater Grove Hall Main Streets, and the Jeremiah E. Burke High School. Ms. Forbes is an alumna of Boston University.
Contact Connie at connie@futurechefs.net
Interested in joining the Future Chefs team? Visit our career page.
Advisory board
The Future Chefs Advisory Board includes 16 highly successful industry professionals, restauranteurs, and educators. The Board is chaired by Mike Omenazu and Erin Griffith, proprietor of Middle House Events, is the Secretary. The Advisory Board was formed in 2010 and benefits from active Governance, Finance, Marketing, and Fund Development committees.
Mark DaCruz, Executive Director, Future Chefs Luis Colon, Project Manager, Oracle Health, Community Relationships and Youth Mentoring
Alanna Barton, General Counsel at BOX Exchange
Toni Elka, Senior Advisor and Founder, ex officio, Future Chefs
Erin Griffith, MiddleHouse Events; Secretary, Fundraising Committee
Patricia M. Keegan, Ed.D, Executive Coach; Former Advisory Board Chair, Executive Committee
Travis Keltner, State Street Corporation; Fundraising and Marketing Committee Chair
Aquila Kentish, Food Business Consultant; Future Chefs Alumni
Thomas F. Muldoon, Partner, AAFCPAs; Finance Committee Chair
Mike Omenazu, Director of Community Engagement, Boston Unity Soccer Partners; Advisory Board Chair
Jerell Perez, Sr. HR Business Partner, Ellevation Education
Luther Pinckney, The Pearl at South Bay, Director of Operations
Elle Simone, Founder and CEO of SheChef, Inc.
Kay Snowden, Retired Nonprofit Professional; Executive Committee; Finance Committee
Natalia Urtubey, Eastern Bank Foundation Fellow
Beatriz Zapater, Retired; Educator, Executive Committee