About Us

As one of the founders of Full Plates Full Potential and Board President, John’s 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.

He draws on his skills from a lifetime of professional experiences to end childhood hunger in Maine. He’s made this his life’s work and volunteers 100% of his time in pursuit of this goal.

"Hungry kids can’t learn. They don’t do well in school. This leads to fewer chances for future employment. Then the cycle begins again. Full Plates, Full Potential is about ending student hunger. We are putting food directly into the hands of children."

Justin is a co-founder and co-director of Full Plates and ensures that operations, programming, development, and communications are meeting the Full Plates mission. Fueled by the belief that Maine can end child hunger, he is committed to making sure every Maine kid has access to three nutritious meals every day, year-round.

A graduate of Tulane University Business Administration, and Founder of Maine League of Young Voters, Justin served as a Maine State Senator and was President of the Maine Senate. He co-founded Bayside Bowl as well as many other Maine-based entrepreneurial ventures, among them, Atlantic Sea Farm, American Roots, ReVision Energy, and One Mighty Mill.

“Food is a basic need and it's important to me that we as a society do everything we can. Growing up in Maine I saw many of my classmates experiencing hunger. Nobody would talk about hunger back in the 1980s. Once elected to the Maine State Senate I introduced my first child hunger bill around summer food programs. At the time there were entire Maine counties without summer food sites. Today, every Maine county has multiple summer food sites, which is an improvement. Advocacy and changing laws have a big role in helping children and families access nutritious meals.”

JUSTIN’S FAVORITE SCHOOL LUNCH MENU ITEM:
“Turkey and gravy over mash potatoes with green beans!”

Ben is committed to addressing the problems of child hunger that are systemic throughout Maine. This dedication flavors his work at Maine General, where he currently works as the Culinary Coordinator and Chef Educator, developing the curriculum and programming. Ben attended the Culinary Institute of America and ran kitchens at several restaurants and catering companies before joining the Full Plates board.

BEN'S FAVORITE SCHOOL LUNCH MENU ITEM:
"American Chop Suey!"

A passionate leader, Michaela has 20+ years of operating experience with deep industry expertise in growth-oriented SaaS technology companies. She started her career with Arthur Andersen where she earned her CPA and then spent 5+ years on the transactional side of investing in privately-held businesses. With a goal of transitioning to a leadership role in an operating company, she earned an MBA at Harvard Business School. As CFO, Michaela has managed sales, global finance and operations, and HR. She has successfully led debt and equity fundraising efforts, and the sale of a SaaS business.

Michaela serves on the Board of Directors of Promoboxx, a SaaS and retailer based digital marketing platform in Boston. Outside of work, when she is not spending time with her husband chasing her young children around, Michaela is interested in both child advocacy and empowerment, and in creating a robust, diversified, sustainable economy in Maine that provides opportunity for economic and career growth for professionals.

Justin is thrilled to join the passionate Full Plates team as Full Plates’ first Executive Director, helping to set and execute organizational vision and strategy. He is a firm believer in the power and possibility that comes from combining potential with the spark of opportunity. He has spent his career working to dismantle broken systems and structures, in order to ensure that opportunity exists for all, and not just the privileged.

Growing up, Justin spent his summers in Maine, then returned to attend Bowdoin College, earning an AB in Government and Teaching. He began his career with Harlem Children’s Zone in New York City where he found a passion for college access and completion work. This passion led him to Boston and Bottom Line, a national organization focused on supporting students from low-income backgrounds to, and through, college. He remained at Bottom Line for more than 11 years, holding a variety of roles including a four-year stint as Executive Director of the flagship Boston region. While in Boston, Justin completed the Institute for Nonprofit Practice’s certificate program through Tufts University and earned an MS in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Northeastern University. In late 2020, Justin followed his heart back to Brunswick, where he now lives with his wife and two young boys.

He loves spending time in the outdoors, cooking, and cracking open a local craft beer while sitting around a firepit.

“Poverty and child hunger are societal failings, not those of any one individual or family. It is incumbent on all of us to work collectively to not only ensure children can access the food they need today but also to work towards a better, more perfect future. I believe Full Plates Full Potential can be the catalyst for this needed systemic change.”

JUSTIN’S FAVORITE SCHOOL LUNCH MENU ITEM:
“Pizza bagels and chocolate chip cookies! I miss my childhood metabolism!"

Rebecca has spent her career in business development, connecting Maine businesses with resources to help them thrive, and with causes that allow them to give back to their communities. Rebecca has worked in the child hunger space in Maine for more than twelve years — first as a volunteer, then officially joining the staff at Full Plates in 2017. As the FEED KIDS Director, she creates pathways that make it easy for Maine businesses to effect change for Maine children experiencing hunger.

“There are many monumental challenges in our society but I've never once doubted that child hunger is the most urgent and the most winnable.”

REBECCA’S FAVORITE SCHOOL LUNCH MENU ITEM:
“Like every kid who went through Gardiner schools — the homemade yeast rolls!!”

Anna’s position at Full Plates involves local, state, and federal advocacy and collaborative work with state and federal partners on projects and policies that remove barriers to food access for Maine kids.

Anna earned her Masters of Public Policy from the Muskie School of Public Service, where she focused her studies on poverty, food security, and education policy. She enjoys spending time outside with friends and family and loves all things food-related.

“Food is a basic human need, but it is also a great source of comfort, joy, and creativity. Children need food and deserve comfort, joy, and creativity in their lives! I am passionate about supporting and strengthening School Nutrition Programs across our state and believe that they are critical to ensuring a bright future for Maine children.”

ANNA’S FAVORITE SCHOOL LUNCH MENU ITEM:
“Pizza and mashed potatoes! Comfort food!”

Emily is a native Mainer who brings over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry to her work at Full Plates. 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. In addition to coordinating with nationally recognized and award-winning chefs, restaurants, and other partners, she executes live auction events, boasting "can’t-buy-experiences" to help support fundraising efforts. From concerts to galas, Emily oversees all event logistics and orchestration, from concept to conclusion.

EMILY’S FAVORITE SCHOOL LUNCH MENU ITEM:
“I LOVED the salad bar at school! It was a major deal when this became part of the program.”

Jenn is passionate about addressing issues of social and economic inequality through the food systems lens. Before returning home to Midcoast Maine, she spent a decade working in food education and access in New York City and New York’s Hudson Valley, where she was the Director of Programs for The Sylvia Center, a food education non-profit. Before joining the team at Full Plates, she worked with the Maine DOE to launch Maine’s Harvest of the Month program, a local food initiative for public schools.

She spends her time at Full Plates managing grant programs, fostering community & grantee relations, and working in tandem with partners to inform grant-making activities.

“I believe that everyone should have access to nutritious and high-quality food without stigma.”

Jenn is a graduate of Wesleyan University, where she received her BA in Film Studies and holds an MA in Food Studies from New York University. Naturally curious and perpetually in motion, Jenn loves traveling to new places, exploring Maine by bicycle, and hosting a good dinner party—but is most recharged whenever she can find a moment to sit still by the ocean.

JENN’S FAVORITE SCHOOL LUNCH MENU ITEM:
“American Chop Suey!"