Meet Our Team
The Community Harvest Team
Our Staff
Tori Buerschaper
Executive Director
TORI BUERSCHAPER
Fresh produce is both a joy to eat and a vital component of a healthy diet, and I want it to be a part of every meal, for every person. CHP makes produce available to so many, but also serves as a vital community resource – a place for all to connect, work together, learn, and appreciate the wonder of plants. It is my great joy to work with those that make this possible.
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Wayne McAuliffe
Manager of Volunteer Programs
Wayne McAuliffe
CHP offers the entire community a place to come together in order to help others, from the first day I volunteered here I knew that it was powerful work. When the opportunity came to join the staff and change career paths I jumped in and did not look back. To sum it up having the ability to connect with the community in such a powerful way makes every day on the farm a good one.
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Meghan Person
Development Manager
Meghan Person
I’ve worked at food banks, food pantries, and homeless shelters, and I loved being a part of the vital work of providing food to the community. We often are far removed from where our food is grown and the farmers who grow it, and many people have no green spaces, little time, are living paycheck to paycheck, or are residing in food apartheids and cannot garden. By extending invitations to children and adults from diverse backgrounds to participate in the cultivation of acres of fruits and vegetables, CHP fosters an inclusive environment that encourages everyone to experience the joy of working in the soil and coming together as a community to nurture and grow produce that will help our neighbors. Everyone deserves healthy food, and I’m glad to be a part of an organization working to make it happen.
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Dave Johnson
Manager of Farm Operations
Dave Johnson
The farm draws us into the natural cycle of things. It is a place of growth and consistent change as seeds sprout and seasons shift. These transformations are an every day part of our work and are reflected internally. I am incredibly grateful to work and grow alongside such a dedicated community of volunteers to alleviate hunger through agriculture. (Photo Credit: Penny Johnson Photogrpahy)
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Edith Marie Gillespie
Assistant Farmer
Edith Marie Gillespie
Farming is the love of my life and being able to do what I love every day while also fighting for hunger relief alongside Community Harvest Project is pretty amazing. Food is everywhere, all around us, and yet too many people don’t know where their next meal is coming from. CHP does a spectacular job at helping to feed their community while engaging and educating their community. It’s quite magical if you ask me.
Michael Graves
Orchard Coordinator
Michael Graves
I love being part of the CHP team and working with the community to create a positive and meaningful impact towards hunger relief. It’s a great feeling to come to work everyday and share in the joy of farming together. Through community farming we learn from each other and grow in our experiences together. The CHP is a very special place and I’m grateful to work with such an amazing team and community.
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Evan Owen
Equipment Operator
Evan Owen
I’ve always been bothered by the amount of wastage in the apple industry. Whether the lack of labor and the crop goes to the ground or having picked it and have it wasting in the cooler for lack of a “home.” It’s reassuring to know that the fruit of our labor is consumed.
Sandi Wilichowski
Administrative Assistant
Sandi Wilichowski
There is a reason why “Community” is in the name of the farm. The mission to provide healthy food to as many people as possible is so important to Central Massachusetts and beyond. Eating healthy is not always possible on limited budgets. It is rewarding to see the food we grow benefit so many people that otherwise may not get the nutrition they need. Being a part of this organization first as a volunteer and now as an employee, the dedication of the employees and volunteers is purely selfless. I am happy to be a part of this mission!
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Alicia Cianciola
Grant Writer
Alicia Cianciola
As a grant writer, I use the numbers our farmers report and the stories our volunteers share to tell our story and make a case for this model to dozens of funders – including some who have never been to our farm before. Thanks to the work of this top-notch team and all of our volunteers for the work they do, which helps us all envision a connected community where everyone has enough healthy food!
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Kelly Johnson
Community Engagement Assistant
Kelly Johnson
Volunteers make the world go ’round! Engaging with the community to grow fresh foods for our neighbors provides a sense of pride and accomplishment. Together, the fruits of our labors not only nourish those most in need of fresh and healthy foods, but enhance a community of togetherness. I look forward to seeing you at our farm and orchard!
Brad Millar
Volunteer Coordinator
Brad Millar
I’ve always wanted to see how I can make a difference around me through food. There are countless homes that are underserved in MA, and CHP has been a fantastic avenue to bring more healthy food into the community! Hundreds of people coming together with a likeminded goal is really spectacular.
Our Volunteers
would you like to join our team?
See All Open Positions Here
The Community Harvest Team
Our Board of Directors
Kristin Bafaro
President
Worcester Adult Learning Center Career Navigator
Evan Soderstrom
Past President
Clinical Financial Resources, Inc. Physician Advisor, Partner
Laura Coughlin
Vice President
Change Healthcare VP
InterQual Clinical Development and Strategy
Jeannie Hebert
Second Vice President
Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce President/CEO
Bob Paulsen
SVP, Commercial Lending Center Manager
Rockland Trust Bank
Neil F. Petersen Jr. Esq.
Clerk
Petersen and Ryan LLC
Melanie Gnazzo MD
Family Health Center of Worcester Family Physician, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School Assistant Professor
Kate LaChapelle
TJX Companies, Inc. Community Relations Program Manager
Scott Rogers
Senior Product Owner
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Bill McCullough
CPA Principal
CPA Principal, McCullough & Associates
leadership opportunities
CHP welcomes you to learn more about Board, Leadership Council, and Committee opportunities.
Board, Leadership Council & Committee Posting
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