School Nutrition Association of Vermont
Meet the Board
PRESIDENT 2025 — Executive Director Abbey Food Service Group— Southwest VT SU and Village School North Bennington
Maureen O'Neil, SNS
Before child nutrition became Maureen’s passion, she earned a degree in Children’s Drama from Keene State College. Her love of cooking led her to become the chef/owner of Catered Affairs in VT and Alldays & Onions, a Bennington favorite for over 20 years. After selling the restaurant, Maureen managed Spiral Press Cafe before joining Abbey Food Service.
A member of SNA-VT since 2009, she earned her School Nutrition Specialist credentials in 2016 and built a strong Farm to School Program for 12 schools. Outside of work, Maureen enjoys paddle boarding, hiking, fishing, gardening, and watching sunsets by the lake.
PRESIDENT ELECT 2025 — Director of Child Nutrition for the Essex Westford School District
Scott Fay, SNS
Scott has worked with the Essex Westford School District since 2007 and joined the School Nutrition Association in 2018. Before school nutrition, he spent 10 years as Sous Chef at Café Shelburne and 5 years as Head Dinner Chef at Isabel's on the Waterfront. He holds an associate degree in hotel and restaurant management from Champlain College and became a School Nutrition Specialist in 2022. Scott collaborates with his nutrition team, school staff, and community to highlight the importance of school nutrition in education. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, boating, and hiking with his wife, Caitlin, and their two children.
PAST PRESIDENT 2025 — School Nutrition Director— Windham Northeast SU
Harley Sterling, SNS
Harley is the director of the WNESU Farm to School Café, serving six schools in Windham County with a focus on nutrient-dense, scratch-made meals. His team balances gourmet flavors with approachable dishes, sourcing the best local ingredients to create nourishing and accessible food experiences. A chef and food activist, Harley’s work is inspired by his time on organic farms in Oregon and as Galley Coordinator for the Schooner Adventuress in Puget Sound, where he expanded access to quality local and organic food for kids. He holds a B.S. in psychology with a biology minor from the University of Vermont and lives in Keene, NH.
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DIRECTOR — Farm to School Manager for Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT)
Kayla Strom
Kayla brings a diverse background in child nutrition, education, and agriculture to her role as Farm to School Manager at NOFA-VT. Before returning to Vermont in 2018, she managed a K-8 school’s nutrition and farm-to-school program in Hawaii, breaking down barriers to nutritious, affordable food through scratch-made meals, nutrition education, and partnerships with local farmers. Kayla has also taught art classes in ceramics, fiber arts, and mixed media, and led gardening workshops for the Vermont Community Garden Network. Outside of her work with NOFA-VT and Vermont FEED, she enjoys spending time with friends, cooking, creating, and exploring new crafts.
DIRECTOR — Director of Food Services for Bennington Rutland Supervisory Union
Stephanie Gates, SNS
Stephanie has worked in school food service since 2007, starting as a kitchen prep when her oldest son entered kindergarten. Over the years, she took on various roles and earned her School Nutrition Specialist Certification in 2016. Her passion is ensuring students are excited about school meals, finding joy in their smiles and introducing them to new dishes through scratch cooking.
Stephanie and her husband, Larry, have two sons, Tanner and Tucker. The family enjoys spending time together boating on Harriman Reservoir in the summer and snowmobiling or ice fishing in the winter.
TREASURER — School Nutrition Director for Mount Mansfield Union School District
Karyl Kent, SNS
With over 30 years of experience as a Chef and Pastry Chef, Karyl found her passion for child nutrition in 2008 as Food Service Manager and Head Chef at Richmond Elementary in Vermont. After 8 years, she became Production Supervisor for South Burlington School District and, in 2018, brought her love for local food and nutrition education to Lamoille North School District. Karyl holds a School Nutrition Specialist Certification and has served as SNA-VT President.
Karyl lives in Huntington, VT, with her husband. She has two daughters, a son, and two granddaughters. She enjoys traveling, camping, and kayaking.
DIRECTOR — Harwood Unified Union School District Food & Nutrition Co-Director, Pre-K-12
Erika Dolan
Erika Dolan prioritizes student health by providing fresh, nutritious whole foods daily and ensuring equitable food access for all. With creativity and passion, she integrates local products into menus, building a strong Farm to School Program for her district, overseeing seven schools as District Co-Director.
She is active in the HUUSD School Health Advisory Council, Vermont Farm to School Network, and is a past president and board advisor of the School Nutrition Association of Vermont. Erika holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Urban Planning and has worked with renowned architects and as a Food Service Director.
Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Erika now lives off the grid in Vermont with her husband and daughter.
DIRECTOR — Child Nutrition & Program Data Manager, Hunger Free Vermont
Tim Morgan
As Child Nutrition & Program Data Manager, Tim works with schools, community organizations, and state partners to expand access to healthy, affordable food for Vermont’s children. He supports schools in utilizing federal nutrition programs, leading efforts to grow universal meal provisions, breakfast, and after-school meal programs. Tim also develops data tools to deepen the understanding of hunger in Vermont.
With a background in food service and a passion for food systems, Tim channels his activism into ending hunger. He graduated from Oberlin College, focusing on political theory and labor politics. Tim enjoys cooking, gardening, and outdoor activities. He lives in Williston with his partner, Barbara.
DIRECTOR — Director of the MAUSD and ANWSD School Nutrition Cooperative
Kathy Alexander, SNS
Kathy Alexander is the Director of the MAUSD and ANWSD School Nutrition Cooperative, managing nine school nutrition programs. She began her career as program manager at Ferrisburgh Central School and has 23 years of experience in program management, finances, and administration. A dedicated member of SNA and SNA-VT, Kathy has served on the Executive Board and co-authored Vermont’s New School Cuisine Cookbook. She also developed a Seasonal 6-week Cycle Menu for Vermont's Child Nutrition Office.
Kathy enjoys recipe development and menu planning, using them to connect schools and communities through local purchasing. She lives in Monkton, VT, with her husband and their pug, and enjoys knitting, cooking, and visiting her three adult children.
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DIRECTOR — Executive Director Abbey Food Service Group
Jaca Hughes
Jaca Hughes has been with The Abbey Group for 14 years, beginning her food service career at Jamaica Elementary School, where she focused on scratch-made meals and local foods. In 2015, she received the Outstanding Achievement in Child Nutrition Award from SNA-VT. Now an Executive Director, Jaca oversees districts in Vermont and New Hampshire. In 2018, she earned the NHDOE Certificate of Excellence for outstanding breakfast participation and has secured over $65,000 in grants for Summer and Emergency Meals. Jaca’s leadership has benefited school districts and nonprofits, and she remains dedicated to providing fresh, local food to children and families in Southeastern Vermont and the Connecticut River Valley. She lives in Vermont with her husband, children, and grandchildren.
DIRECTOR — Essex Westford School District
Lead Cafeteria Coordinator K-8
Kelly White
Kelly White is the Lead Coordinator for the Essex Westford School District, starting her school nutrition career with The Abbey Group at Rice High School, where she was cross-trained in all aspects of child nutrition. After four years at Rice, she joined EWSD in 2018, managing the kitchen at Essex Elementary School before advancing to Lead Coordinator for all K-8 schools. In her current role, Kelly trains new coordinators and mentors existing ones. With over 20 years in the hospitality industry, she graduated from Champlain College with a degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management. Kelly is passionate about feeding children and is committed to creating standards and driving change in the School Nutrition field.
DIRECTOR — Windham Southeast Supervisory Union in Brattleboro
Susan Grabowski
Susan Grabowski is the food program coordinator for Windham Southeast Supervisory Union in Brattleboro, Vermont. Although new to school nutrition, she is driven by her passion for food and supporting young people. Most of her career has been spent as a project manager in secondary and higher education. Susan's attention to detail and collaborative nature enable her to build and implement efficient administrative systems. A resident of southern Vermont for 14 years, she enjoys gardening, cooking, traveling, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her elderly mother in her free time.
DIRECTOR — School Nutrition Director for Lamoille North SU
Kelly Shortsleeve
As the Director of School Nutrition for Lamoille North, I bring over 18 years of culinary experience to the district. My passion for nutrition started early, teaching classmates about cafeteria food, and culinary arts became a regular lesson during my homeschooling. I have over five years of restaurant management experience and more than ten years in school nutrition. I attended the Culinary Arts program at the Center for Technology, Essex, and served as a Kitchen Manager Correctional Officer, teaching culinary skills to inmates. In 2022, I earned my Associate's Degree in Administrative Management. I have run multiple Jr. Iron Chef Programs at Cambridge Elementary School and aim to expand these initiatives, sharing knowledge through professional development for both adults and youth.
DIRECTOR — Manager of School Nutrition Services for Barre Unified Union SD
Jennifer Hutchinson
Jennifer Hutchinson, a 2000 graduate of the New England Culinary Institute, is committed to ensuring all children have access to healthy food, regardless of income. She served as the Youth Programs Manager for the Vermont Foodbank, implementing the National Feeding America BackPack Program and the VeggieVanGo School Food Pantry Program. Jennifer also worked as a consultant for the State of Vermont's Child Nutrition team, conducting administrative reviews of School Nutrition Programs and focusing on the Provision 2 and Community Eligibility Provision. Currently, she is the Manager of School Nutrition Services for the Barre Unified Union School District, where she lives and her children attend school. Jennifer is grateful to serve her community through her work.