We are a statewide policy and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the health and well being of low income Californians by increasing their access to nutritious, affordable food.

Oakland Office

Los Angeles Office

CFPA Strategic Plan

In 2012, CFPA engaged in a strategic planning process to establish programmatic & organizational priorities for the next three years. You can learn more about CFPA's goals for 2013-16 by reading our strategic plan.

CFPA 2013-2016 Strategic Plan PDF

CFPA Staff

Yolanda Anguiano photo

Yolanda Anguiano, MPA, Nutrition Policy Advocate
Office 213.482.8200 ext. 202, yolanda@cfpa.net

Yolanda works to identify policy and advocacy strategies to increase CalFresh enrollment in Los Angeles, with a focus on strengthening linkages between CalFresh, health insurance and children under 5 years old. Previous to joining CFPA she worked as a Field Representative for Assembly Member Felipe Fuentes. She received her BA in Psychology and Sociology from California State University Northridge and a Master in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. Yolanda joined CFPA in April of 2012.
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Kerry Birnbach, MPAff, Nutrition Policy Advocate, Team Lead: CalFresh
Office 510.433.1122 ext. 110, Cell 510.506.5745, kerry@cfpa.net

Kerry works to develop and implement policies aimed at improving CalFresh access and participation. She previously worked as the Interfaith Voices Against Hunger Coordinator at the NYC Coalition Against Hunger. Originally from Berkeley, California, she received a BA from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon and a Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, Austin. She also served as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Austin. Kerry joined CFPA in January 2011.
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Steve Diputado, Finance and Administrative Assistant
510.433.1122 ext. 100, steve@cfpa.net

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Nicola Edwards photo

Nicola Edwards, MS, RD, Nutrition Policy Advocate
Office 213.482.8200 ext.204, Cell 310.625.2956, nicola@cfpa.net

Nicola's time with CFPA is largely dedicated to childcare nutrition, the BreakfastFirst Campaign, and Los Angeles-specific nutrition policy advocacy and implementation. She has served as the Public Policy Chair of the Los Angeles Dietetic Association and has worked on childhood obesity prevention research with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Nicola is a Registered Dietitian and received her BS and MS in nutritional science from the California State University, Los Angeles. She joined CFPA in July 2008.
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Alexis Fernández, MSW, Nutrition Policy Advocate, Team Lead: Legislation, Communications
Office 510.433.1122 ext. 111, Cell 510.368.0775, alexis@cfpa.net

Alexis works to develop and implement policies aimed at improving CalFresh access and participation through state and county-level initiatives. Prior to joining CFPA, Alexis was a kinship case manager and support group facilitator. She received her Master of Social Work with an emphasis on management and planning from UC Berkeley and a BA in Ethnic Studies from UC San Diego. She began with CFPA as a graduate student intern in 2009 and joined the staff in 2010.
Elyse Homel Vitale photo

Elyse Homel Vitale, MPH, CHES, Nutrition Policy Advocate, Team Lead: Child Care
Office 510.433.1122 ext. 206, Cell 858.449.3597, elyse@cfpa.net

Elyse works on policy adoption and implementation projects that aim to increase access to the Child and Adult Care Food Program and improve licensed child care nutrition environments. Prior to working with CFPA, she worked as a research associate studying health services for youth. Elyse obtained her Master of Public Health at UCLA from the Department of Community Health Sciences. Elyse started at CFPA in July 2010 as a graduate student intern, served as a consultant in 2011, and joined the CFPA staff in 2012.
Markell Lewis photo

Markell Lewis, MPH, Nutrition Policy Advocate, Team Lead: REAL School Food Initiative, After School
Office 510.433.1122 ext. 107, Cell 510.504.8180, markell@cfpa.net

Markell works on projects related to school nutrition and afterschool meals. She focuses on uncovering, highlighting, and sharing best practices that help improve program operation, participation, and support. A former chef, Markell is interested in making sure California kids have access to nutritious, affordable, and appealing food. She received her Master of Public Health at UC Berkeley through the Public Health Nutrition Program. Markell started at CFPA as a graduate student intern in 2010 and joined the staff in 2011.
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George Manalo-LeClair, MSW, Executive Director
Office 510.433.1122 ext. 103, Cell 415.794.6080, george@cfpa.net

George provides overall policy and administrative leadership for the organization. For many years, George directed CFPA's legislative efforts and led CFPA's CalFresh team, championing efforts to remove barriers to participation. Prior to joining CFPA, he was the Legislative Director for the Children's Alliance in Washington. George has a master's degree in social work and more than two decades of experience in advocacy dating back to his time with the Jesuit Volunteer Corp. He joined CFPA in 1999.
Ariana Oliva photo

Ariana Oliva, Nutrition Policy Advocate
Office 213.482.8200 ext.203, Cell 213.220.7920, ariana@cfpa.net

Ariana's primary focus is RENEW LA, a county-wide initiative funded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to improve nutrition, increase physical activity, and reduce obesity. Prior to CFPA, Ariana was a 2008-09 Executive Fellow at the California Department of Food and Agriculture. She received her BA in psychology and a certificate in health care administration from the California State University, Long Beach. Ariana joined CFPA in May 2010.
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Matthew Sharp, Senior Advocate, Team Lead: Los Angeles, Federal Advocacy
Office 213.482.8200 ext. 201, matt@cfpa.net

Matt works to develop and advance CFPA's advocacy agenda with local government and community partners in Los Angeles, while providing support to CFPA's federal and state policy work. He regularly provides testimony at school board, city council, and county board hearings. He also coordinates the Los Angeles office's nutrition policy campaigns with local coalitions, task forces, and agencies to reduce food insecurity and obesity among low-income Angelenos. Matt joined CFPA in 1997.
Tia Shimada photo

Tia Shimada, MPH, Managing Nutrition Policy Advocate, Team Lead: Breakfast, Summer, Research & Data
Office 510.433.1122 ext. 109, tia@cfpa.net

Tia's work focuses on issues of access, participation, and nutritional quality primarily in the school breakfast and summer nutrition programs. Tia co-coordinates the BreakfastFirst Campaign and contributes to CFPA's data analyses that examine impacts of the federal nutrition programs, particularly CalFresh. She received her Master of Public Health at UC Berkeley through the Public Health Nutrition Program. Tia began with CFPA as a graduate student intern in 2008 and joined the staff in 2009.