Christina Pirello
President

Robert Pirello
Executive Director

Michele Gambino
Secretary

Donald Young
Treasurer

Our Directors:

Mary Soboleski
Board Chairperson
With a Masters Degree in School Counseling from Villanova, Mary is highly qualified to lead the Board when it comes to our children and their health. Graduated Magna Cum Laude for her Masters with a specialty in instruction and specialized education, she has championed the welfare of our children for many years, presently as a school counselor at Springfield High School (since 1990).

Michele Gambino
Secretary
A graduate of Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Michele is a highly accomplished event planner currently serving as Executive Director of East Passyunk Avenue, a Main Street USA. Michele also manages and coordinates Christina’s events and appearances and is Unit Manager for the production of Christina Cooks TV series.

Donald Young
Treasurer
Donald joins the Board of Directors with over 40 years in the food service business having managed supermarket chains for Pathmark, Genuardi’s, Zagara’s and Safeway. He also managed stores for Walmart and currently is a store manager for Target. Don’s knowledge of the food industry on both the retail and food service level, and his financial expertise, will prove invaluable.

Bernardo Merizalde, MD

Dr. Merizalde believes in integrating the physical, mental and spiritual dimensions to reach a maximum of health and well being. To reach this goal he incorporates various therapeutic modalities such as homeopathy, counseling, relaxation and visualization techniques, traditional natural remedies, herbs, exercise, physical treatments, flower essences, counseling and conventional medicine. He has been in the practice of General Medicine since 1980 and is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Neurology. A writer and researcher, he has lectured to undergraduate, graduate, and medical students at the University of Pennsylvania, Jefferson University, the Medical College of Pennsylvania and consumer groups.

Susan Singer

With a special needs child of her own, Sue has become an expert in working with schools and school systems for our children, whether special needs or not. Her knowledge of alternative medicine and the impact of food on our children's day to day health and school performance and productivity has made her a most effective advocate for our children.

Our Advisors

Neal Barnard, MD

Founder and President of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Neal is a nutrition researcher, author, and health advocate. As an adjunct associate professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine, Dr. Barnard conducts studies on the role of nutrition in diabetes, obesity, and lipid management, among other health issues. His most recent clinical trial, funded by the National Institutes of Health, established the value of a novel dietary program for type 2 diabetes and set a new standard for dietary approaches to this increasingly common condition.

Tim Chapman, MD

Dr. Chapman is a long-tine advocate for the health of humanity. A board certified doctor of obstetrics and gynecology, Tim graduated from the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine.

William Klevos, DrPH, MPH

William Klevos is an International Consumer Advocate for Healthy Nutrition and Wellness. Will completed his Doctor of Public Health in Preventive Health Care and Masters of Public Health in Health Education and Nutrition at Loma Linda University’s Medical Center’s School of Public Health.

Larry Steir

Larry's commitment to our children began 30 years ago as a teacher of English and literature in the Philadelphia school system. As a member of the Green City Youth Council and an advisor to the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, Larry specializes in helping to create edible gardens in our schools.

David Steinman

David Steinman is an author. His major books include Diet for a Poisoned Planet (1990, 2007), The Safe Shopper’s Bible (1995), Living Healthy in a Toxic World (1996), and Safe Trip to Eden: Ten Steps to Save the Planet Earth from Global Warming Meltdown (2007).

Jennifer Young

Jennifer Young is an award winning creative director, and has worked in advertising, promotion and television production for many years. She has been responsible for creating Christina’s image and publicity materials and also works closely on the production of the broadcast media for The Initiative.

Lorenzo Krug

Twice the recipient of the President's Physical Fitness Award, Coach Lorenzo Krug (a former Marine) has over thirty years in fitness education. He is an AAFA certified personal trainer, a nationally ranked Masters triathlete and serves as a USA Triathlon official.

Success can only be achieved through education, understanding and action.