• Liz

    Program

    Assistant

    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.

  • Bailey

    Food Access

    Programs

    Bailey joins our team as the new Food Access Associate for Program. Originally from Lake Tahoe, California, she moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, where she earned a BA in International Environmental Studies. Bailey has always had a passion for sustainable agriculture and community-centered food systems, working in a variety of roles that connect people and food, from restaurants to farmers markets. She has volunteered at food banks for years and finds inspiration in the dedication of volunteers, staff, and communities working together to increase food access and reduce food waste. With experience living in New Zealand and working in Canada, Bailey is now excited to become part of the Lynnwood community and help connect people with vital resources. She loves being outdoors and meeting new people, and looks forward to fostering connections that support our shared mission.

  • Jerry

    Food Access

    Operations

    Jerry joined our team in 2024, bringing his passion for operations and community engagement. Originally from Alabama, Jerry relocated to Washington to be closer to family. He thrives in the physical aspects of the food bank's work and loves connecting with our diverse community. Fluent in Spanish, Jerry is always ready to assist customers, whether conducting intakes or loading cars, providing support in both English and Spanish. We look forward to working with Jerry for many years to come.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Makayla is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a passion for connecting the community with health and nutrition information. Originally from Denver, Colorado, she graduated with her Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Seattle Pacific University, where she also completed her Dietetic Internship. With experience practicing Medical Nutrition Therapy in both inpatient and outpatient settings, Makayla values the importance of evidence-based nutrition recommendations. Makayla is thrilled to be providing nutrition education and nutritious recipes with the Lynnwood Food Bank community.

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

Biography coming soon.

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.

Open

secretary

Biography coming soon.

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

Biography coming soon.


Selam

Habte

Biography coming soon.

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.

Open

This position is open.

open

This position is open.