• Liz

    Assistant Director

    Liz became part of the Food Bank leadership team in 2022 after seven years of dedicated volunteer service. She has a remarkable talent for connecting with people, and her genuine care shines through in every interaction. Our customers love working with Liz, and her passion for building relationships is evident. Each week, Liz works directly with our customers, supporting our food truck, outreach, and nutrition education programs. In addition to her role at the Food Bank, Liz is a full-time student pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Human Services. With a strong desire to build a career in the nonprofit sector and serve her community, we're thrilled that Liz has chosen to begin her journey with us at the Food Bank.

  • Amani

    Food Access

    Programs

    Coming Soon

  • Edrees

    Food Access

    Operations

    Edrees began his journey with Lynnwood Food Bank as an intern and quickly became an invaluable part of the team. His strong work ethic, kind and friendly attitude, and diverse skill set led to his hire as a full-time employee. Originally from Afghanistan, Edrees is fluent in Dari and plays a key role in communicating with and supporting our Middle Eastern community while helping staff better understand cultural traditions and needs.

    With a background in construction and vehicle maintenance, Edrees brings practical expertise to the food bank’s daily operations. He maintains our trucks, keeps the warehouse organized and running smoothly, and approaches every task with care and positivity. You can always spot Edrees by his welcoming smile—he’s the kind of teammate who brightens everyone’s day. 

Executive Director

With over 25 years of experience in social services, Alissa joined the Lynnwood Food Bank after realizing her passion for serving people in her own community. She enjoys connecting directly with both the families who visit the Food Bank and the volunteers who help it run so smoothly. Alissa leads with flexibility, thoughtfulness, and kindness, ensuring that everyone feels valued when they leave the Food Bank. During the last ten years under her leadership, the Food Bank has made significant strides in increasing equity by offering a wider variety of cultural foods, engaging diverse volunteers who speak multiple languages, and adding nutrition education programming. Alissa has also prioritized providing more nutritious food options and accommodating various dietary needs, reflecting her commitment to inclusivity and well-being for all.

Our Volunteers

Volunteers at the Lynnwood Food Bank are the backbone of everything we do. Volunteers are involved in every aspect of our organization from collecting food, to data entry, to board members, to sweeping the floor. Everyone pitches in and everything is done each week with amazing efficiency and dedication to the Food Bank’s purpose, ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry.


Our team is diverse, and we have great fun working together each week to show our community that Food Is Love.


To learn more about volunteering, click here.


Photograph: Filming a cooking demonstration of making tamales Oaxacan style.

Board of Directors, Executive Committee

mike miller

president

Michael Miller is a seasoned marine insurance professional currently serving on the board for the Lynnwood Food Bank in the position of President.


Originally from Oklahoma, he later lived and worked in Alaska, where he developed deep expertise in the marine insurance field—protecting maritime assets across challenging seascapes and commercial ports.


A proud veteran, Michael’s discipline, leadership, and strategic thinking were honed through his military service before he embarked on his insurance career.


Now based in Lynnwood, Washington, Michael brings a unique perspective drawn from his diverse life experiences—from Oklahoma roots to Alaska’s frontlines of marine risk, and finally to Washington’s shores. His strengths include:


Risk management & underwriting acumen, earned through years in marine insurance.


Strategic financial oversight, powered by a blend of industry insight and military precision.


Community-driven leadership, with demonstrated dedication to improving food security and local well-being.


Outside of board service, Michael enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest—especially its waterways and coastline—while staying active in veteran and community support initiatives.


alissa jones

vice president

As the Executive Director of the Lynnwood Food Bank, Alissa brings over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and a deep commitment to serving the community through a lens of justice and equity, particularly in the areas of food and health access.

Her background spans both large and small nonprofits, giving her a broad perspective on organizational operations. Alissa has worked with diverse populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, youth, and families from various backgrounds. This experience has shaped her flexible and compassionate approach to community service.

Alissa's dedication to the well-being of the community is evident in her leadership of the Food Bank, where her compassion and love for those she serves shine through in every aspect of her work.

matt appel

treasurer

Matt has been a resident of Lynnwood for over 20 years and has raised his two children just down the street from the Lynnwood Food Bank. 


In this time, he has seen the need for the Food Bank go up and down with the economy and the pandemic. He believes that it is important to serve all the people of our community and to make sure that we all have access to the basics of life, starting with nutritious food.


Matt has his MBA from the University of Washington and has served as Treasurer or board member of several other nonprofits, including two churches, the Presbytery of the Northwest Coast, and Bats Northwest. He also serves on the Finance Committee of the Grand Lodge of Washington and as Secretary of his Masonic Lodge.

secretary

Position to be filled.

Board of Director Members

Julieta

Altamirano- Crosby

Dr. Julieta Altamirano-Crosby, Vice President of the Lynnwood City Council, is a trailblazing leader, educator, and advocate for social justice and cultural preservation. Originally from Guerrero, Mexico, and now a proud U.S. citizen, Julieta made history as the first Latina elected to the Lynnwood City Council in Washington. With a Ph.D. in Social


Communications, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Seattle Pacific University, and a Certificate in Race, Equity, and Leadership from Harvard University, her academic and professional journey reflects her unwavering commitment to education, equity, and community empowerment.

As the co-founder of the WAGRO Foundation in Lynnwood, Julieta has dedicated herself to promoting human rights and cultural awareness, particularly for marginalized communities. Her impactful leadership extends to roles on the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs, Humanities Washington Board of Trustees, the League of Women Voters in Snohomish County, and the Center for Washington Cultural Traditions Advisory Board. She has also contributed her expertise to the Snohomish County 911 Board, the Lynnwood Food Bank, and the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants.


Julieta’s outstanding contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Snohomish County Human Rights Award, the Seattle Pacific University Medallion Award, and recognition as an "unsung hero" by SPIRIT 105.3. She has served as a keynote speaker at international conferences such as the Information, Medium & Society Conference at Sorbonne University in Paris and the International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities at Sapienza University in Rome.


A passionate researcher and lifelong learner, Julieta focuses on multicultural education and Indigenous cultural preservation, ensuring marginalized voices are heard and valued. Her work enriches the fabric of society and contributes to building a more inclusive and culturally aware world, both locally and globally.

Phong

Nguyen

Phong Nguyen, an engineering graduate from the University of Washington and the Owner of Anna’s Home Furnishings in Lynnwood, WA, has been an active member of the City of Lynnwood since 2005. 


He participates in regular business meetings with city officials throughout the year. He has served in a variety of community service roles, including being on the board for the Lynnwood Police Citizen's Patrol, the Lynnwood Police Chief’s Advisory Committee, the Lynnwood City Center & Regional Growth Center Advisory Committee, Advisory Board Member for the Asian Service Center, and a business sponsor for the Lynnwood Adopt-A-Street program. 


Mr. Nguyen is a board member of the Lynnwood Food Bank because he believes in bringing agencies and partnerships together to build a better community and improve the lives of those around him.

Anthony

Angel

Biography coming soon.

Keith

Sessions

Keith Sessions currently serves as a Battalion Chief with South Snohomish

County Fire & Rescue (South County Fire). His tenure with South County Fire began in October 2018 when he joined as a Fire Captain. Prior to this, he held the position of Fire Captain with the City of Lynnwood starting in July 2003. His

career in fire and rescue operations also includes serving as a Firefighter in the United States Air Force and a Firefighter for The Boeing Fire Department.


Beyond his professional responsibilities, Battalion Chief Sessions exemplifies a

servant’s heart through extensive community involvement. He has volunteered

with several organizations, including the Rotary Club of Lynnwood, the Veterans

of Foreign Wars (VFW), Heroes’ Cafe, the Lynnwood Police Department, Support

7, local schools, and community outreach programs for South County Fire and

Lynnwood Fire.


He is often asked to sing our National Anthem for a variety of local events.

For instance, in June 2018, he sang the National Anthem at the Edmonds Fireworks Show, showcasing his passion for singing at various other community events as well. His commitment to service also extends to his church and the Lynnwood Food Bank.


A long-time resident of Lynnwood, Keith is married to Shannon Sessions, with

whom he has raised five children who have attended local schools. In his free time, he enjoys spending quality moments with his family, singing, and is an avid outdoorsman.


Jason Worthington

For eight years, I had the privilege to work for Apple Retail as a trainer and manager in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa, OK. 


This was an exciting and educational time in my life that transitioned well into my passion and calling as a pastor at West Valley Church in Yakima, WA. For over nine years, I served on staff as Pastor of Discipleship where my role included challenging and encouraging our people to reach out and help their community. 


As the newly elected Lead Pastor of Silver Creek Family Church, I am looking forward to partnering with the food bank to serve the Lynnwood community in such a tangible way.

Rey

Suarez

Biography coming soon.

Marines Scaramazza


Marines Scaramazza is a bilingual (Spanish/English) news executive producer, media entrepreneur, and social media strategist with a degree in Communications specializing in Audiovisual Media. She brings a deep understanding of media production and a passion for elevating underrepresented voices.


As an executive producer, Marines expertly oversees the end-to-end news production process—including content planning, resource coordination, editorial supervision, and enforcement of ethical standards. Simultaneously, she excels as a social media manager, creating data-driven content strategies, engaging diverse audiences across platforms, and leading impactful digital campaigns under pressure.


She currently serves as CEO and Partner at 76 Media, a bilingual media production company dedicated to high-quality, culturally resonant storytelling. In this role, she is also the owner and partner of the Latino Herald, a Spanish-language digital news outlet amplifying the voices of Latino communities through local journalism, cultural reporting, and civic engagement.


Marines’ media career spans television, print, radio, and digital platforms. She has contributed to Univision, Telemundo, Mundo Fox, and Estrella TV, helping inform and connect Spanish-speaking audiences through television news coverage. She has also worked in radio—both behind the scenes and on the microphone—strengthening her versatility and connection with audiences. Her combined experience in broadcast, print, and audio journalism reinforces her ability to lead across diverse media landscapes.


Beyond media, Marines is actively involved in social impact work. She is part of Homage Senior Services as a Spanish-language liaison for the Aging and Disability Resource Network (ADRN), helping older adults and individuals with disabilities in Snohomish County access essential services in their native language.


Her leadership and community impact have been widely recognized. In 2024, the City of Lynnwood honored her during its Women’s History Month proclamation, celebrating her as a local changemaker in media and public service.


Previously, Marines served as the registered agent for Majorca & One Communications LLC, a communications-focused enterprise active from 2019 to 2023, further reflecting her entrepreneurial and creative pursuits.


Through her professional work and public engagement, Marines Scaramazza exemplifies a deep commitment to community empowerment, cross-cultural communication, and social uplift—values she brings wholeheartedly to her role as a board member.


Open


This position is open.