Staff

Chief Executive Officer:

Eva Matthews, MPH (she/her)

Eva has dedicated her career to caring for and advancing community health. She brings over 25 years of public health, non-profit development, and research experience to Mama’s Kitchen. Prior to joining Mama’s Kitchen, Eva served as Director of Grants Management at one of the country’s largest federally qualified health centers (FQHC), Family Health Centers of San Diego. During this time, she also supported the establishment of an embedded research unit – the Laura Rodriguez Research Institute and served as its Executive Director. Eva draws upon her prior experience and training in public health and medical research within academic settings at Yale University and the University of Arizona, with a special focus on community support for positive health behavior change. Eva’s earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Connecticut and her Master of Public Health at the University of Arizona. In Eva’s role as CEO, she builds and leverages key community, governmental, university, health plan, foundation, and donor partnerships to support the mission of Mama’s Kitchen and drives our vision for the future. She currently serves as a member of the San Diego State University School of Public Health Advisory Board and the San Diego HIV Planning Committee’s Priority Settings and Resource Allocations Committee (PRSAC).

Chief Programs Officer:

Sandra D'Alonzo, LCSW, CCM (she/her)

Sandra is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Case Manager who has worked serving San Diego’s most vulnerable populations since 2012, including those living with HIV/AIDS, End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Severe Mental Illness (SMI) and San Diegans experiencing homelessness. Sandra’s recent work includes implementation and oversight of CalAIM programs, including Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports (CS) for a local federally qualified health center (FQHC). She has significant leadership experience in various healthcare settings by designing and managing programs, as well as providing clinical oversight and training for community health workers and social workers. Sandra earned a Bachelor of Science in International Studies from SUNY Fredonia and a Master of Social Work from USC.

Director of Nutrition Services:

Lexi Eisele (she/her)

As a Registered Dietitian, Lexi oversees the Nutrition Department to ensure clients are receiving medically appropriate meals following the most up-do-date nutrition guidelines. Prior to her work at Mama’s Kitchen, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Nutrition at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA and completed her Dietetic Internship at Simmons University in Boston, MA.

Director of Client Services:

Noemi Huerta (she/her)

With over six years of program management experience, Noemi Huerta leads the logistics of Mama’s Kitchen’s Medically Tailored Meal Service. She holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Science-Communications from San Diego State University. Noemi is passionate about serving her community here in San Diego. She loves being able to help and be a part of an organization that provides nutritious meals and education as a way of showing support and love to individuals.

Director of Volunteer Engagement:

Marie Landeros Coxon (she/they)

With over a decade of administrative experience, Marie Landeros oversees Mama’s Kitchen’s volunteer network of over 1200 active volunteers, supporting the work of all departments as volunteers are central to our work. They joined Mama’s Kitchen as an Executive Assistant and immediately fell in love with the “food is medicine” mission. Marie is a native San Diegan and holds a B.A. in Women’s Studies from the University of Redlands.

Chief Development Officer:

Jenna Novotny (she/her)

jenna@mamaskitchen.org

With over 10 years of experience in nonprofit development and marketing, Jenna has previously led development for nonprofits including San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum and Challenged Athletes Foundation. Jenna oversees development initiatives including annual giving campaigns, institutional giving, the Bread & Butter Club, and fundraising events.

Chief Financial Officer:

Kelly Sherlock (she/her)

With over 25 years of experience, Kelly oversees the financial, human resource, and IT functions of the organization. She joined Mama’s Kitchen in 2005 as a volunteer and as a staff member in 2013. Kelly holds a Master of Arts in Non-Profit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego and is a current member of the Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego and Google Alumni Network.  Additionally, she has served as Board Treasurer of Climate Action Campaign and on the Finance Committee of The Association of Fundraising Professionals – San Diego Chapter.