Who We Are

As one of the founders of Full Plates Full Potential and Board President my responsibility is to lead and manage a planning committee and assist with the execution of Full Plates Full Potential’s capacity building and fundraising initiatives in Maine. Locally, Full Plates Full Potential funds the most effective child hunger organizations and builds partnerships that bring together policymakers, nonprofits, community groups, local governments and businesses to end childhood hunger, across the state.

I have chosen to use skills from my lifetime of professional experiences to end childhood hunger in Maine. For more information you can email me at jwoods@fullplates.org. I have made ending child hunger in Maine my life’s work and volunteer 100% of my time in pursuit of this goal.

In 2011, as Portland's State Senator I introduced my first child nutrition bill. The summer food program became law creating the urgency and awareness around child hunger in Maine. After submitting more child nutrition bills, a coalition of Maine non-profits focused on hunger, changed course and submitted a bill to create a Five year plan to end childhood hunger. That task force's work was adopted and cemented the work and need of Full Plates Full Potential.

Today, I'm FPFP secretary, treasurer and oversee our programming. Our programming oversees all our leadership coalition, technical assistance with schools, legislative priorities and grant programs. I'm committed to giving every child the opportunity to access nutritious food everyday so that they can learn and grow.

Emily Merrigan is a Native Mainer who brings over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry to her work at Full Plates Full Potential. Born in Washington County, Maine, Emily knows first hand what the challenges of life in a rural state can mean for kids. Her passion for people and commitment to excellence in customer service and guest relations lead her to work with The Ritz Carlton, Sarasota, The Olympia Companies and Fore Street, in Portland Maine and Primo in Rockland, Maine. Emily is a proud Mainer, Mother and "Creative Resolutionist". She is committed to ending child hunger in her home state by raising awareness and building community through extraordinary events.

Anna Korsen was born and raised in rural Maine. She received her Masters in Public Policy at the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine where she focused her studies on poverty, food security, and education policy. She is passionate about supporting and strengthening School Nutrition programs across our state, and believes that they are critical to ensuring a bright future for Maine children. Prior to her work with Full Plates Full Potential, Anna worked as a server for 16 years. She lives in Portland with her partner Brian and 9-year-old son Arlo, loves to be outside, and enjoys all things food-related.