PRESIDENT/FOUNDER
BOARD MEMBER

Chef Mohini Singh immigrated to this country at 12 years old. Cooking and sharing food has been the most consistent and vital driving force for her joy. She loves to cook for her family, friends, students and her community. She believes that food has the power to heal and bring people together from all walks of life.

Mohini has a BA in Psychology and a MA in Counselor Education. She is a Culinary Teacher at Pitman high School and a Chef at First & Main restaurant.

“‘Cooking and serving food is love. I hope there will be a day that no one goes to bed hungry. ‘

That was my grandmother's hope, passed on to me and now my son Elias vision.”

VICE PRESIDENT
BOARD MEMBER

Chef Leroy Walker was born and raised in Turlock CA. He brings over 40 years of Culinary/Hospitality experience to Kitchens For Chance. He is the Executive Chef and Owner of two local restaurants, Bistro 234 and First & Main. His restaurants provide the base for projects and training of volunteers. He has one daughter, two stepchildren and two grandchildren which keep him very busy.

"Food has always been my passion and at this point in my career I feel compelled to guide the younger generation in tackling food insecurity in my community."

FOUNDER
BOARD MEMBER

Elias Rabine is the founder and prior president of Kitchens For Change at the Turlock chapter. He is a student at UC Berkeley studying economics. At Berkeley, Elias is a part of The Berkeley Group, an organization that specializes in nonprofit consulting. Elias now brings his past experience as the president to the Board of Directors to help best manage club members and projects.

BOARD MEMBER

Audrey Smallwood is a co-founder of Kitchens for Change. She helped form and lead the organization’s Turlock High chapter for two years, first as vice president then as president. Audrey now studies Applied Psychology and Human Development at Boston College and intends on entering the field of child grief support following graduation. Audrey’s familial background in the restaurant industry inspired her involvement in founding the organization and shaped her passion for service. As a board member, she hopes to guide the chapters of Kitchens for Change towards growth while ensuring the organization’s founding values are built upon.

SECRETARY
BOARD MEMBER

Emily Cowdrey is a multi-faceted culinary professional who is dedicated to promoting healthy eating habits. She is currently the culinary teacher at Riverbank High School. She also teaches an after-school culinary class for college credit for students to earn units for Columbia Junior College. She also serves as the resident chef at Modesto Farmers Market. With a recently earned Master's degree in Public Health (emphasis in Nutrition) from UC Berkeley, Emily brings a wealth of knowledge experience, and passion to her work as a Kitchen For Change board member.

BOARD MEMBER

Keean Young is a co-founder of Kitchens for Change Turlock High School Chapter and current Board of Directors member. He was on the student board after the club was created at Turlock High. He is a student athlete at MJC and works at Bistro 234. His goal is to help expand the footprint of Kitchens for Change to other schools.

BOARD MEMBER

Jeremy Benjamin is a Senior Broker and Partner at Winton-Ireland, Strom & Green Insurance Agency. Jeremy works across all insurance types, from commercial insurance, to workers’ compensation, and employee benefits. He is a professional in the industry and is recognized in the business.

Jeremy brings his tenure and experience to Kitchens for Change to help grow awareness in the community where he grew up.

TREASURER
BOARD MEMBER

Gloria Smallwood immigrated to California from Michoacán, Mexico at the age of six years old. In 1972 her family opened La Morenita Restaurant in Turlock, CA.

Gloria graduated with a BA in English from Bethany College in Scotts Valley, CA. in 1981.

In 1995 Gloria and her husband Mark opened their own La Morenita Restaurant in Modesto. In 2011, two years after the untimely death of her husband, Gloria and her family

opened La Mo Cafe in Turlock, CA.

Kitchens For Change provides an opportunity for Gloria to apply years of experience in the food industry to further serve her community.

BOARD MEMBER
Noel Dickey is a local small business owner. She is a mother to three beautiful daughters.

She loves supporting the restaurant industry in Downtown Turlock. In her spare time she is actively finding resources for small businesses, and creating community events. Kitchens for change provides an opportunity for Noel to apply her knowledge with city grants and non-profit opportunities.

PROJECT CONSULTANT
KITCHENS FOR CHANGE

Born and raised in Turlock Ca, local Chef Nestor Jacobo used his experience in kitchens to help mentor and coordinate events with students and club members. Chef Jacobo’s intensive background in restaurant begins since childhood. Working in his families restaurants in Sonora & Sinaloa Mexico, and again in Jacobo’s youth participating and being the lead in Pitmans High Schools Culinary Arts Program. Currently Executive Sous Chef at Bistro 234 Restaurant and First & Main Restaurant, overseeing all operations.