Our Team

Jeffrey Bank

President

Jeff Bank is an attorney with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he specializes in antitrust and commercial litigation while also acting as Pro Bono Coordinator for his office.   A graduate of NYC public schools (PS 26, MS 216), he also earned a BS and JD from Cornell University.  In his free time, Jeff enjoys organizing dinners for family and friends and traveling extensively, often planning his trips around food or music.
 

Katherine Gage Boulud

Vice President

Katherine Boulud is a global brand ambassador for Boulud restaurants, assisting with special projects and community outreach for the group.  A graduate of Trinity College, Hartford, Katherine worked in political fundraising before following her passion for cooking and travel to culinary school, then Michelin starred kitchens in France, Bali, Spain, and New York. Specialized in the healthful cuisine of Provence, Katherine created a food and travel website, Miel et Lavande (Honey & Lavender), and pursued studies in nutrition education.  Spoons’ mission was a natural fit for Katherine’s desire to change the culinary landscape for children and she has been an integral part of the organization since 2017.
 

Audrey Bellovin

Treasurer

For the last 34 years, Audrey has served in multiple capacities in education.  Starting out as a classroom teacher in the NYC schools, she quickly became passionate about integrating content areas to provide a rich opportunity for students to learn in an engaging way.  This led her to pursue a Masters of Science in Mathematical Leadership from Bank Street College.  A fond memory as a math coach:  teaching children how to measure ingredients to make pizza dough!  Audrey continued to work across several districts on Long Island, quickly becoming a principal in Garden City Public Schools.   Collaborating with teachers and parents, she developed a thriving vegetable garden.  This gave the students the opportunity to plant, care for, harvest, taste, and eat the vegetables they grew.  After 16 years as an administrator, Audrey retired to come back to her passion:  coaching teachers in mathematics education.  Working with Metamorphosis Teaching Learning Communities, she continues to share her passion for education with others.  She is founder of Growing Mathematical Thinkers.
 

Lynda Dias

Secretary

Lynda Dias is a professor of Hospitality Management at New York City College of Technology, CUNY and a hospitality consultant to several internationally recognized luxury lodging brands. She earned her master’s degree in Labor and Policy Studies from Empire State College SUNY.  In her free time, she is the Faculty Adviser for the Spoons Across America Club at City Tech and enjoys traveling and discovering  new culinary delights with her foodie friends.
 

Lauren Amanda Adler

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Marisa Clemens Colaneri

Senior Vice President, Consumer & Small Business, Bank of America
 

David Curtis

Owner and Founding Partner, Curtis+Perry Branding Plus
 

David Finkel

VP of Business Development - Skipp Technologies
 

Suzanne Mendes

Brand & Marketing Consultant 

​Suzanne Mendes is a Marketing and Communications Executive who has held leadership positions at some of the world’s most successful brands within the highly competitive industries of Beauty, Apparel and Tech. After helping steer the public-facing ships of Estée Lauder, Kiehl’s and Uniqlo, Suzanne went on to oversee Marketing at certified B-Corp, Inspire Clean Energy, where she supported the brand’s rapid acceleration in consumer awareness and growth. Suzanne now consults for brands to bring their purpose, mission and values to life via strategies that balance positive societal impact with business results.

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Evan Merlis

Senior Vice President of Sales, Wheels Up
 

Rachelle G. Parker

Rachelle G. Parker was an elementary school principal in both private and public schools for 25 years, following several years of teaching. She received her doctorate in curriculum and teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University in 1986. After retiring in July 2012, she decided to focus on her passion: Kids and Nature. This passion is still evolving and now includes healthy eating and nutrition education. She is active in several programs that help children and families learn to love nature in order to save and sustain our Earth. A belief in progressive, child-centered education that started when her children attended Bank Street School for Children in the 80’s and 90’s continues to motivate her activities. Rachelle was excited to join Spoons Across America as a Trustee in 2014.
 

Salvatore Rizzo

Owner, DeGustibus Cooking School

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Julia V. Jordan & Reuel M. Jordan

Founders and Trustees Emeritus