A native of Honduras, Mariela has provided executive assistant support to C-Suite level executives in both the healthcare and retail industries of Fortune 500 Companies. She has specialized in business development and project management in the retail industries, in leadership roles for the planning and implementation of strategic corporate sponsor presence at events including the US Open Golf Tournament, the James Beard Taste America event, and at various annual corporate shareholder meetings. Mariela enjoys helping others both through her career and via her dedicated commitment to volunteering with local organizations such as the YWCA, United Way, and Seattle Backpack Brigade. Being able to problem solve and provide lasting solutions are strengths she provides to those with whom she collaborates. During her spare time, she is an avid cook and baker, and enjoys spending time with her young family in Seattle.

Mary Ellen joined Backpack Brigade in 2020. Mary Ellen’s husband Scott is a life-long educator and through his work, she feels an urgency to tackle the staggering food insecurity in our school communities, helping ensure every child is ready to learn. Through Backpack Brigade she found a tangible way to serve, from volunteering in the warehouse, to packing meals and serving as Board Secretary (2021-2024). Mary Ellen grew up in Seattle, has a BA in English from the University of Washington, and has over 20 years of leadership experience with home-town retailers Nordstrom and Eddie Bauer. In her free time, she’s busy enjoying Seattle with her family, listening to live music and exploring low tides.

Dre Gohlke is a marketing and communications consultant who has called the Pacific Northwest home for most of her life. She was introduced to Backpack Brigade through a simple invitation to the 2024 Winter Wonderland Gala and immediately knew she wanted to be part of the solution to end weekend hunger for children. With a strong background in fundraising, Dre has worked alongside Seattle-based organizations such as United Way of King County and Plymouth Housing, driven by her passion for community impact. A proud graduate of both Seattle University and the University of Washington, she's an avid Husky fan and a dedicated supporter of Seattle's sports teams. When she's not championing causes close to her heart, you can usually find Dre snacking her way through Seattle's many events, always on the hunt for the next great bite.

Nick is a dedicated advocate for children's education and well-being, recognizing the importance of nutrition. He's been involved in educational causes since high school, tutoring accounting students, volunteering in an ESL classroom, and founding two student organizations focused on professional skill development. In December 2020, Nick packed his first weekend hunger bag with Backpack Brigade. Since then, he has become an active volunteer and has organized multiple corporate group events with Backpack Brigade through his employer. Nick lives in Seattle and holds degrees in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Washington. He is a Certified Public Accountant.

Sara is a teacher in Seattle Public Schools and has been working with students from diverse backgrounds for over 20 years.

Marcy moved to Seattle in 2018. She received her BS in Nutrition from Central Washington University and has been an active member of multiple youth organizations. Although her education is in nutrition, she worked as a dental professional for 15 years before relocating to Seattle. Her interests are anything food and anything outdoors.

Aga was introduced to Nichelle and Backpack Brigade through her employer, Homestreet Bank, in 2014. Shortly after, inspired by the organization’s involvement in the local community, she and her colleagues started delivering bags of food to local schools. Aga was born in Poland and moved to Seattle in 2011. She received her MA in International Relations from Wroclaw University of Economics in Poland and has since worked in the marketing and banking fields. In her free time she enjoys taking long walks, traveling and reading.

Loretta was introduced to Backpack Brigade in 2023 through the Chef’s Fest event at Hot Stove Society. After interviewing Nichelle and Mariela for the Hot Stove Society Radio Show, which she co-hosts, her eyes were opened to the crisis of weekend hunger and she knew she had to get involved. Loretta is part-owner and general counsel of Tom Douglas and Company and has been involved in her family’s restaurant business for the majority of life. In her current role, she helps craft company policy, serves as Human Resources Director, and handles the variety of the company’s legal needs. She has a bachelor’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies and Comparative Religion from Colgate University and a law degree from the University of Washington. In her spare time, she can be found with her husband and three young children exploring a new playground or trying out a new recipe.

Matt is a father of two teenage boys, husband of 20+ years to his wife, and a partner with Seattle-based wealth management firm Brighton Jones. Matt is a past-President of Bellevue Rotary and has been involved in serving non-profits for most of his life. Matt lives by the quote “I don’t want to only live the length of my life – I want to live the width of it as well.” He looks forward to serving Backpack Brigade and the thousands of children who rely on it for weekend food security.

Lauren Schiltz first became involved in Backpack Brigade in 2021, initially volunteering with food packing and later handling weekly deliveries to schools. She brings her knowledge and experience with project and nonprofit management to the Board. Lauren lives in Seattle with her husband and 3 young children.