Staff Bios
Rebecca Gallo, Executive Director
Rebecca has worked in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector for more than 20 years. She has experience in program design and evaluation, administration and management, grant writing and program management in small nonprofit organizations in New York City, Washington DC and the Metro Boston area. She also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa. Her approach to the work starts with community engagement and building strong relationships with community partners.
Prior to taking on her current role, she led community innovation, health equity and food access initiatives at the MetroWest Health Foundation. She brings her passion for equitable food access and food systems work to A Place To Turn. She has served on multiple nonprofit boards and volunteered in multiple capacities at a wide range of organizations throughout her career.
Rebecca holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from American University and master’s degrees in public health and social work from Columbia University. When not at work, you can find her tending to her garden, baking bread or riding on the bike path.
Sharon Buenaventura, Director of Finances and Operations
Sharon brings over 15 years of dedicated service to the fight against food insecurity. She has contributed as a volunteer, board member, and staff member for A Place To Turn, supporting families in need and helping guide the organization’s growth and operations. She also brings 10 years of professional experience in inventory management, ensuring efficient, accurate tracking and distribution of resources. In addition, she served for 3 years as Chair of the Special Olympics program at Weston High School, fostering inclusion, leadership, and community engagement for student-athletes of all abilities. Sharon is a proud mother of two sons who played competitive golf and one son who competed in sabre fencing at the national level, further sharpening her time management, multitasking, and team support skills. Together, these experiences highlight her dedication to service, organization, and making a meaningful impact.
Zeneida Rodriguez, Director of Logistics and Purchasing
Zeneida has always been attracted to helping people. Originally from the Dominican Republic, she worked for 20 years in a sales role at a family company dedicated to planting, packing and distributing vegetables all over the country. This work helped her to gain a wide range of skills and expertise. She brings a strong commitment to the community and skills in inventory management to her role at A Place To Turn, where she has worked since 2023. She also brings strong communication skills and is trilingual.
Zeneida holds a bachelor's degree from Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra, one of the most prestigious universities in the Dominican Republic, in Industrial Engineering. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Universidad Abierta para Adultos.
Haley Jeansonne, Community Food Program Director
Haley believes food is one of the most powerful ways to bring people together. Originally from Houston, TX, she began her career as a trained chef before transitioning to the nonprofit sector in 2023 as an AmeriCorps VISTA . She brings compassion, understanding, and kindness to her work as Community Food Program Coordinator. Haley holds a bachelor’s in Applied Food Studies and is pursuing a master’s in Sustainable Food Systems at Clark University in Worcester, MA. When she’s not at work, Haley can often be found experimenting in her kitchen or exploring a local trail.
Yiraika Vega, Food Pantry and Operations Coordinator
Yiraika has always been driven by a deep desire to help others. She values community and personal relationships and is trilingual. She brings her passion for improving her community to her work at A Place To Turn. Yiraika worked in logistics before joining the team at A Place To Turn in 2024. She brings strong organizational skills and creativity to solving every logistical challenge that comes her way at the pantry.
Fern Arroyo, Food Pantry and Marketing Coordinator
Fern approaches his works with compassion, creativity, and a deep commitment to community. Born in Guatemala and trilingual, Fern has called MetroWest home for 20 years. He worked in youth development before joining the team at A Place To Turn in 2024. When he's not at the pantry, you can find him sewing, swimming, or exploring the outdoors with his beloved dog, Birkin.
Christopher Carreras, Development and Communications Associate
Christopher developed his love for serving others during his time volunteering with non-profits
and his recent tenure as a teacher at Xavier High School Micronesia. Growing up in a large
family who bonded over communal meals, he is passionate about how improving access to
healthy food engenders stronger relationships and social circumstances. He first became involved
in hunger relief efforts in high school while volunteering with Community Harvest Project where
he spent three years as a volunteer team leader and intern. Christopher holds a bachelor's degree
from Boston College where he majored in political science and philosophy and minored in faith,
peace, and justice. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, reading, and playing the drums.
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