Our Team
Lisa McNaney – Founder
Lisa’s founding of Culinary Angels grew out of both personal and family members’ experiences with cancer. She has always been a passionate cook who wholeheartedly believes that organic, nutritious foods can fortify a person’s body, especially during a difficult health challenge. As a cancer survivor, Lisa became intimately aware of the value that proper nutrition plays in fighting cancer. She wholeheartedly believes that “food is medicine.”
“Culinary Angels was created to not only provide hope, health, and wellness but also the opportunity to exemplify nutritional education to its recipients. Our service visually represents a healthy, healing meal, as well as providing critical ingredients that promote fortification at a time in a person’s life where they can experience the benefits,“ she says.
Lisa has been a part of many community efforts involving health awareness, education, meals, and cooking practices for the past 15 years. As she has so beautifully stated, "Our community of volunteers and donors fuels the heart of Culinary Angels, and together we nourish our neighbors in need."
Mansoor Sakhiy – Executive Director
As Executive Director, Mansoor brings over 16 years of nonprofit leadership experience, strategic planning, innovative fundraising, and leading marketing teams for humanitarian causes with a commitment to social change and sustainable development to the leadership of the Culinary Angels organization.
He has been dedicated to the international relief nonprofit sector, most recently with Orphans In Need out of Dublin, CA an organization dedicated to providing long-term, consistent support to orphan children and their families in need.
“I am incredibly honored to lead Culinary Angels as the Executive Director. The mission of providing nourishing meals to those facing a cancer challenge deeply resonates with me. I’m excited to work alongside such a dedicated staff, volunteers, and board members who have been instrumental in driving this impactful mission forward.
Delivery Lead
Paula Orell
I believe passionately in our mission to provide meals to cancer patients at such a challenging time in their lives. I find it to be some of the most rewarding work I do.
Dietitian
Setal Desai
Being part of Culinary Angels has allowed me to demonstrate how food IS medicine through the lens of culinary nutrition.
Executive Assistant
Nancie Long
I truly believe nutritious food to be one of the most important factors in the healing process. We provide an invaluable service that I am proud to be a small part of.
Farmers Market Coordinator
Leslie Pickett
My ability to have purpose and provide value was key when I sought a place to volunteer. I found that and my heart is full of pride in all we do for cancer patients.
Grant Coordinator
Kathy Norman
Good nutrition is so important to health, wellness, and recovery from illness. I am passionate about people taking the best possible care of themselves especially during cancer treatment.
Grant Coordinator
Ronnie De Supinski
After retirement I joined Culinary Angels to put my fundraising skills and background to good use for a local organization with a compelling mission and dedicated, caring people.
Head Chef, Operations Manager
Bill Ziegler
After losing my father to cancer, Culinary Angels seemed like the perfect opportunity for a Chef to do something that could make a difference in people's lives.
Human Resources, Finance
Angela Zellmer
I quickly became devoted to Culinary Angel's mission and passionate leadership after being recruited by the Board Chair. It’s an honor to be a part of Culinary Angels.
Marketing Manager
Cindy Henderson
Nothing compares to the feeling of belonging to such an incredible group of generous people who come together each week to fulfill our mission and purpose as a nonprofit supporting cancer patients.
Outreach
Julia Emrich
I truly believe in the philosophy "Food is Medicine" and am happy to be part of an organization that supports that! It feels so good to help people with our meals!
Recipient Care
Zoe Russ
As the first point of contact for new recipients, I strive to inspire hope along their cancer healing journey, utilizing the power of nutrient-dense, delicious food that is always made with love.
Recipient Care
Nora Hart
I joined Culinary Angels as I believe a healthy diet is essential in a cancer patient’s journey to heal. The food we provides falls in line with this belief.
Volunteer Coordinator
Cathy Griggs
When I retired from teaching I was looking for a way to pay it forward. A friend invited me to join her in the kitchen and I was hooked.