Caleb grew up with an urban farm as a part of everyday life, and has been a social and environmental activist since he was young. He left New Haven for college, and was excited to return home and become a part of the thriving environmental justice community in New Haven.

Giulia has helped small businesses and nonprofits develop strong and results-oriented brand and communications through planning, implementation, consulting, and workshops since June 2009. Projects include many well-known area organizations such as Natureworks Garden Center, KNOWN Coworking, Innovation to Impact at Yale, KNOWNpreneurs and Aropa Consulting.

Since 2010, Giulia has co-facilitated Digital Media Sync, a weekly free learning networking event for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profits with workshops and guided discussions. In the past year alone, Giulia has livestreamed and archived more than 60 episodes through the KNOWN live streaming channel. In 2021, Giulia was Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the New Haven Free Public Library, for 10 months, and a team member, instructor and coach of the Make to Sell Cohort Program. Giulia has also led seminars for SCORE Fairfield County and CEDF (Community Economic Development Fund). Giulia continues to serve as one of 12 expert instructors for the TechXel Stamford cohort at the Ferguson Library.

Through the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, Giulia developed and ran Non-profit Online Fundraising Workshops and served as Keynote Speaker for the 2019 Great Give kickoff. In her spare time, Giulia maintains three gardens, including a historic herb garden, dances, creates botanical illustrations, and raises two rescue dogs, Halford and Lemmy, with her partner. In October 2023, Giulia received her Master Gardener Credentials through the University of Connecticut Extension.

“One thing I always say I love is the intersection between environmental rights and food as aright. I love how the food-to table-to-elsewhere cycle does not mean a direct hit to the trash bin.”

Catherine comes to the Haven’s Harvest board as many do—with years of experience rescuing food for the organization around New Haven and a deep desire to do more. Having earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Smith College, Catherine received her M.Phil from Yale University in Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry before settling in Fair Haven heights in New Haven. She is currently laboratory manager for the Reilly lab in the genetics department, supervising inventory, as well as safety and organizational issues.

A dedicated community activist, Catherine helped organize and grow the New Haven Buy Nothing Group, an online free marketplace where members can give and receive secondhand items. She is also chair of the Quinnipiac East Management team, a neighborhood association that works to create a stronger neighborhood community and connect neighbors with their elected officials to effect change. worked with diverse groups of people to support several communities and organizations. Whether it’s developing operating procedures, outreach, or organizing events for up to 100 people, she has collaborated with board and community members to achieve shared goals.

The mission of Haven’s Harvest is critical to her. “It pains me to think of how much food is wasted while so many people go hungry and our planet warms. Everybody needs to eat, and so food is a great way to bring people together and build community. I’m excited for the opportunity to become more involved with the organization, helping it sustainably expand its mission.”

Charlize is currently a sophomore at Yale University, where she is pursuing a double major in the History of Science Medicine and Public Health and Ethnicity Race and Migration (ER&M). Her interest in public health began in high school when she participated in the New Jersey Health Initiative Emerging Leaders program. In the summer of 2023, she worked tirelessly as a summer intern for Haven’s Harvest, helping to launch our Summer Supper Series, and she hopes to return for more. This past fall is partnering with Matthew Kirschner to collaborate with students at the The Yale Hunger Action Project to expand the volunteer base and raise awareness among Yale students about food waste within the Yale campus and the surrounding areas.

Charlize’s personal experience growing up in a low-income, primarily Latino community provides her with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the populations Haven’s Harvest aims to serve. As a current undergraduate student, she has a unique perspective on engaging and mobilizing young volunteers and supporters. Passionate about education and public awareness, Charlize will assist in developing campaigns and strategies to raise awareness about food waste and food insecurity, encouraging more individuals and businesses to get involved.

“Engaging in service has been a transformative experience that has broadened my perspective on the issues my peers and I face. It has educated me about the larger societal, social, and political factors that exacerbate these difficulties. Service has become my chosen avenue for change, motivating me to take proactive steps to address the very challenges that affect my community and me.”