Scott Green - President
With professional experience in the fields of hospitality and finance, Scott Green brings a unique perspective and skill set to the board of directors for the Fox Valley Food for Health organization. Scott has a deep understanding of the day to day kitchen operations and financials of running an operation at both the ground level and top-down perspective.
Scott is currently a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, where his fiduciary practice focuses on personal and small business finance. Prior to working in the finance industry, Scott spent nearly two decades as a Pastry Chef running high-level kitchens around the country where he achieved both national and international accolades for his work.
His desire to give back to the community and his own personal experiences with family illness led him to FVFFH. “Community and nourishment are so essential when you’re battling illness. They can be literal lifelines during the darkest time in someone’s life. The fact that I can be a part of that support for people in our community through FVFFH is what drives my passion and commitment to the organization.” Scott lives with his wife, Madeline, and their rescue cat, Fox, in Batavia.
Heather Houston - Vice President
Heather is currently the Brand Director for Guittard Chocolate Company. As a native Texan, she earned a BS in Psychology from Tarleton State University then later went on to earn a L’Art de la Patisserie certificate from The French Pastry School in Chicago, transplanting her to the Midwest. For the past 18 years she has put her passion for good food to work, specifically within the chocolate industry. Heather recently earned her Masters in Applied Psychology from the University of Southern California. Her areas of expertise include operations management, organizational strategy and brand development.
In 2013 Heather joined FVFFH as a volunteer mentor chef to work alongside the teens and found a passion for the mission. She makes sure the kitchen is stocked with dark chocolate and gives educational sessions for the teens and volunteers who refer to her as the “chocolate lady”. In recent years, she served on the Advisory Board for FVFFH before joining the Board of Directors in 2020. Previously, Heather served on the board for The Floured Apron, a pastry training program for underserved women in the Chicagoland area. Since 2015, Heather has called Elgin her home town where she enjoys baking, sharing food with friends and time spent with her two dogs Ella and Charlie.
Meera Atkins COMING SOON
Erik Enders
Erik Enders is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana who now calls Chicagoland home. With over 20 years’ experience in the non-profit sector, Erik has held roles creating impactful programming, educational opportunities, and community partnerships to meet the needs of the underserved in Indianapolis, Orlando, and now Chicagoland.
Erik graduated with a B.S. in Communications from the University of Indianapolis in 2000 and is currently completing his M. Ed. in Diversity in Equity In Education at the University of Illinois. After 2 decades of work in the faith-based non-profit sector, Erik pivoted and found his passion in Educational Services at Elgin Community College as a Student Life Coordinator for minoritized populations. His life work in diverse communities and his local work with youth in the Elgin Community brings a unique perspective and reach to FVFFH. Erik looks forward to helping diversify the volunteer base and improving community awareness and support for FVFFH initiatives. Erik enjoys traveling, watching football and basketball, cycling, and spending time with his wife, Jennifer, and their four children, Cameron, Erika, Corban, and Clayten.
Pat Engel
Pat Engel and her husband have lived in Geneva for 47 years. They are the parents of one son and have two grandchildren who all live in Geneva.
Pat’s career has always been in finance, first as a bookkeeper and culminating in starting and managing an accounting and tax practice for over 25 years. In 2017 she sold the practice and became a part-time tax specialist with Fox Valley Tax Solutions in St. Charles.
Over the years Pat has been involved as a volunteer in numerous community activities. She was a regular school volunteer when her son was a student and continued volunteering at her granddaughter’s grade school. She was active in her church community serving as church council moderator, chairing numerous committees, and leading a capital campaign that raised funds for a multi-million-dollar facility expansion. She has been an active volunteer for Mutual Ground, Kane County Court Watch, and is currently a University of Illinois Master Gardener.
Pat has served on the board of directors and been a volunteer for many community non-for-profits including Tri City Family Services, Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice (now Hands of Hope), League of Women Voters Central Kane County, Geneva Foundation for the Arts, Geneva History Museum, and Changing Children’s World Foundation. While on the board she shared her enthusiasm for strategic planning and fundraising as well as other leadership roles.
Sue Carey
Sue has always had a passion for nutrition and healthy eating. After a career of working in the field of Payroll, HR and Benefits, Sue was seeking an opportunity to give back to the community with an organization that aligns with her passion for healthy eating and the belief in the power of food to heal. She brings a broad level of management experience from over 30 years of working at ADP, in the areas of implementation/project services, client services and training. She is excited to be part of Food for Health and further its mission.
Sue has called Batavia her home since 1999, raising her 3 sons with her husband, John. Over the years Sue has been an active volunteer in the Batavia schools, sports organizations, and church community supporting her sons and all their activities, as well as volunteering for various other community organizations. She enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, biking, travelling and spending time with family.