photo credit above, Jane Messinger
Our Staff and Advisory board
Toni Elka
Founder and Executive Director
Toni Elka founded Future Chefs in 2008. With 20 years of experience in the youth development field, she is a serial innovator and committed social change agent. She received national recognition for her innovative leadership (Mass. Statewide Peer Leadership Institute) and founded the Circle of Girls program prior to Future Chefs. As the granddaughter of a union organizer and farmer and holding jobs as a cook and caterer, her passion for the culinary arts fueled her sense of excitement about directing a career program that addresses the needs of youth who might find fulfillment in this creative, hands-on field. In 2013 she received a Boston Neighborhood Fellows Award from the Philanthropic Institute and serves on the boards of Boston Day and Evening Academy and The Boston Private Industry Council. In May of 2015, Ms. Elka received an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Newbury College.
Contact Toni at toni@futurechefs.net
julius johnson
CULINARY Operations Manager
Raised in a Caribbean family, food has always been the centerpiece of love and community for Julius. His love for cooking and baking comes from years under his grandmother, mother, and uncle’s care.
Julius’ culinary training began as a student at Madison Park High, Boston’s technical vocational school. He learned about the former Spinazzola Foundation there and later enrolled. After graduating from Bunker Hill Community College, he was a pastry cook at Boston’s World Trade Center and a pastry chef at Ester. As pastry chef at Boston Common Coffee, Julius mentored young people from Build Boston, helping them structure and build their cookie business “Cookie Boss.” This experience launched him into serving the underserved, similar to those who benefited from the Spinazzola Foundation. Later, at Flour Bakery he gleaned experience from Joanne Chang in business management and the playing with flavors in the kitchen.
When not at Future Chefs, Julius can be found making custom cakes for his home-based business, Sifted Cakes Boston.
Contact Julius at julius@futurechefs.net
audley mills
CULINARY instructor
Chef Mills was born and raised in the vibrant city of Montego Bay, Jamaica. He’s a culinary maestro with a passion for creating delectable dishes that combine his Caribbean heritage with diverse culinary influences.
Today, Chef Mills incorporates these culinary values, traditional Jamaican recipes, and a new school flare, to produce award-winning dishes that have been the subject of newspaper articles and word-of-mouth praise. His vegetarian background has led Mills on a journey to elevate the view of the vegetable as more than just a side dish.
Contact Mills at mills@futurechefs.net
Kanicha Roman
Culinary Instructor
Kanicha is a Future Chefs alum, graduating in 2015. She spent many of her elementary school years in Puerto Rico and credits this experience to bringing her culture into her cooking, and encourages young people to do the same. After graduating from Madison Park High School, Kanicha attended Cambridge School of Culinary Arts through a Future Chefs scholarship, and received a certificate in pastry. She worked in many restaurants and kitchens in the Boston area, including for Chef Michael Mina’s private kitchen for the residents of the Millennium Tower and The Inn at Hastings Park in Lexington. In addition to her expansive culinary experiences, Kanicha brings a passion for making sure young people have a safe haven and a place to keep them engaged.
Contact Kanicha at kanicha@futurechefs.net
kalista williams
culinary instructor
A Future Chefs alum, Kalista’s passion for cooking and baking was influenced by her family, especially her mother. Gatherings meant exploring all kinds of foods, which seeded Kalista’s interest in culinary and pastry. Seeking an opportunity to learn more, Kalista joined Future Chefs in high school and after graduating she completed an apprenticeship at a restaurant in Boston. Culinary school at Bunker Hill Community College followed, where Kalista earned an associate’s degree and she is now a full-time student at Simmons University studying Nutrition and Dietetics. At Future Chefs, Kalista has enthusiasm for teaching students not only how to cook but also about nutrition.
Contact Kalista at kalista@futurechefs.net
Mario Hines
Youth Development and outcomes Manager
Mr. Hines graduated from Robert Morris University with a Bachelor of Communications. Prior to joining Future Chefs, Mr. Hines worked as an educator and group care supervisor specializing in youth development and special education at several organizations including High Rock School, Eliot Community Human Services, Aspire Expanded Learning Program and Autism Services Association. Mr. Hines also has professional experience with several NFL teams and played professional football with the German Football League.
Contact Mario at mario@futurechefs.net
tawanna fulton
director of programs and partnerships
Ms. Fulton brings 20 years of experience to her role as Student Services Manager, nourished by a deep commitment to serving the needs of youth and families. During her time at Codman Academy and Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, she developed a host of skills including conflict resolution, problem-solving and program development. Ms. Fulton demonstrates success in supporting first-generation college students, youth and families in crisis and high school students building a post-secondary plan, working within her positions to advocate for equity and inclusion. Ms. Fulton received her B.A. degree from Simmons College and is currently pursuing her MBA degree at Fitchburg State University.
Contact Tawanna at tawanna@futurechefs.net
zabdi fuentes
youth work specialist
Zabdi recently moved to Boston from the mountains of Colorado. Growing up in a rural area with few resources in youth development and empowerment, she’s a passionate advocate for empowering youth and their families. She brings a diverse background to the program with experience working as a Program Youth Coordinator, Family Liaison for her local school district, Mental Health Advocate for The Youth Recovery Center, and community work for a plethora of local organizations. Zabdi made the move to Boston for a new challenge to pursue a Master’s in Social Work at Boston College.
Contact Zabdi at zabdi@futurechefs.net
clarence joseph
youth work specialist
Clarence grew up in the neighborhood of Mattapan and lives there today. He loves working with youth, and supporting them in finding their pathway, whatever that may be. Teaching the sky’s the limit comes naturally to Clarence, as he set out to pursue flying and has his pilot’s license. In addition to working at Future Chefs, Clarence attends Bridgewater State University, working towards an aviation science degree. He has an appreciation for food and cooking, and enjoys helping youth in this setting.
Contact Clarence at clarence@futurechefs.net
stephanie cogen
Director of Development and Finance
Stephanie comes to Future Chefs with a long-standing passion for food and building communities. Since 2015 she has been the Board President of the Newton Community Farm, leading the organization and its fundraising process and strategy. She also served as Administrative Director of the Newton Family Singers, and was a founding board member. She is a former attorney, having spent twenty years representing employees and labor unions in various industries. Stephanie holds a B.A. from Amherst College, a J.D. from Northeastern School of Law, and a Certificate from the Institute of Nonprofit Management.
Contact Stephanie at stephanie@futurechefs.net
Connie forbes
DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCE ASSOCIATE
Following nearly 21 years working on staff at America's Test Kitchen, Ms. Forbes now dedicates her time and talent to giving back to her community. In addition to working part-time at Future Chefs supporting the development and finance teams, her roles in the community include being on the board of the Garrison-Trotter Neighborhood Association and ABCD Roxbury N. Dorchester; a member of the Grove Hall Alliance; a Network Coordinator with Union Capital Boston; and as a community volunteer with Project RIGHT, Greater Grove Hall Main Streets, and the Jeremiah E. Burke High School. Ms. Forbes is an alumna of Boston University.
Contact Connie at connie@futurechefs.net
clove bullitt
grants and development specialist
Clove comes to Future Chefs after a year of service with FoodCorps, teaching elementary school students about gardening and nutrition. They have always been passionate about food justice and have enjoyed volunteering at small, local farms in the past. They are happy to start their journey in non-profit development and even happier to be working for an organization like Future Chefs. Clove graduated from Wellesley College with a degree in political science and was involved in on-campus activism regarding transgender and disabled students.
Contact Clove at clove@futurechefs.net
Michelle Callahan
senior Communications manager
Drawing from a varied background of studio art and business, Michelle handles communications and brand marketing for Future Chefs. Prior to joining Future Chefs, Michelle worked in corporate community relations with schools and non-profit organizations, which sparked an interest to move towards the non-profit field. She holds a B.A. in Studio Art from University of New Hampshire and a M.S. in Communications Management from Simmons College as well as a certificate in Community Relations from Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship.
Contact Michelle at michelle@futurechefs.net
Interested in joining the Future Chefs team? Visit our career page.
Advisory board
The Future Chefs Advisory Board includes 16 highly successful industry professionals, restauranteurs, and educators. The Board is chaired by Mike Omenazu and Erin Griffith, proprietor of Middle House Events, is the Secretary. The Advisory Board was formed in 2010 and benefits from active Governance, Finance, Marketing, and Fund Development committees.
Luis Colon, Project Manager, Oracle Health, Community Relationships and Youth Mentoring
Alanna Barton, General Counsel at BOX Exchange
Toni Elka, Executive Director and Founder, Future Chefs
Erin Griffith, MiddleHouse Events; Secretary, Fundraising Committee
Patricia M. Keegan, Ed.D, Executive Coach; Former Advisory Board Chair, Executive Committee
Travis Keltner, State Street Corporation; Fundraising and Marketing Committee Chair
Aquila Kentish, Food Business Consultant; Future Chefs Alumni
Thomas F. Muldoon, Partner, AAFCPAs; Finance Committee Chair
Mike Omenazu, Semi-retired Community Member and Neighbor; Advisory Board Chair
Jerell Perez, Human Resource Business Partner at HubSpot
Luther Pinckney, The Pearl at South Bay, Director of Operations
Biplaw Rai, Managing Partner, Comfort Kitchen
Elle Simone, Founder and CEO of SheChef, Inc.
Kay Snowden, Retired Nonprofit Professional; Executive Committee; Finance Committee
Natalia Urtubey, Eastern Bank Foundation Fellow
Beatriz Zapater, Retired; Educator, Executive Committee