Rachel Brand, EdD, Program Manager, develops content and programs that provide engaging learning experiences for TK–12 students on food systems and the natural world. With over 20 years of experience in education, her work bridges academic learning with real-world impacts. Her research has been published in several academic journals. Most recently, she contributed a chapter to Partnering for Transformation in Schools and Beyond: Community-Engaged Learning in Peace, Social Justice, and Human Rights Education (2026, Teachers College Press). She was a lecturer at Santa Clara University specializing in child studies, community-based learning, and sustainable food systems. While teaching environmental studies at the University of San Francisco, Rachel earned her Doctorate of Education, focusing her research on her students' experiences with food insecurity.
Staff
Vince Caguin, MBA, Director of Strategy and Innovation, leads the development and execution of strategic initiatives that advance the mission of the Center for Ecoliteracy. In this role, he combines his experience in business, education, leadership development, farm to school, and culinary arts. He was formerly the Executive Director of Nutrition Services and Warehousing at Natomas Unified School District, Academic Department Chair at Le Cordon Bleu Los Angeles, and a chef. He currently serves as a Training Consultant for the Institute of Child Nutrition and as an item writer for the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation.
Liz Carlton, Program Manager, California Food for California Kids®, cultivates relationships with school districts and allied organizations throughout California to lead the California Food for California Kids initiative. She engages the California Food for California Kids Network of school nutrition professionals with outreach, support, and training to transform school food. She started her professional career in advertising and post-production before following her passion to support healthy, equitable food systems. Prior to joining the Center, she worked on community-focused agriculture projects. She holds a B.S. in Conservation and Resource Studies from UC Berkeley, where she designed her own course of study focused on sustainable food systems and environmental justice. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, studying home herbalism, and printing zines with friends.
Abby Halperin, MSc, Senior Policy and Evaluation Manager, advocates for policies that transform how students eat, learn, and grow. She uses the power of data to amplify the voices of school nutrition professionals, provide strategic insights to policymakers, and celebrate the collective impact of the organization’s California Food for California Kids® initiative. Her background is in research, environmental policy, and environmental education. A passion for climate change and translating science, data, and research into real world decisions led her to complete a Master of Science in Environmental Change and Management at the University of Oxford. In her free time, she can be found gardening, knitting, and hiking with friends and family.
Cindy Hu, MEd, Education Program Manager, manages the organization’s programming for TK–12 educators. She brings 10 years of experience in environmental education and holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies from San José State University and a Master of Education from the University of Arizona. Her love of travel and community grassroots efforts led her to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania, Africa. Cindy is a first-generation Latina from the Central Valley with a passion for connecting culturally diverse youth to nature. She speaks English, Spanish, and conversational Swahili. In her free time, you can find her hiking a trail, reading, and spending time outdoors with friends and family.
Jim Koulias, Deputy Director of Finance and Operations, manages finances and oversees the administration team, project management, and assessment, for the range of activities at the organization. He manages the Center for Ecoliteracy’s use of technology and website properties. He began his professional life as an educator, then moved into project management in the fields of animation, documentary filmmaking, web communications, and global operations before joining the Center for Ecoliteracy. He has lived abroad in Mexico, Japan, and France, becoming fluent in each language, and indulging thoroughly in the food and culture of each country.
Kat Mah, Projects and Grants Manager, manages all major projects and grants across the organization. She brings 10 years of experience in environmental nonprofit operations and was an AmeriCorps Vista member with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadianas Summer Feeding program. Her travels and experience witnessing animal ecosystems led her to become an environmental advocate and obtain a B.S. in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara. In her free time, she runs half-marathons; spends time with her menagerie of pets; and exercises her creativity through arts, crafts, and cooking.
Anne Moertel, Director of Outreach and Communications, creates strategic communications, cultivates partnerships, and seeks new opportunities for the organization. She brings 15 years of experience in school food advocacy and communications, including serving on the school nutrition staff at a California school district, and is passionate about the power of effective communications to transform school food and education. She holds a BFA in visual communications from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and enjoys exploring California with her family.
Alexa Norstad, Executive Director, directs the Center for Ecoliteracy’s strategies, mission, and vision. She previously served as the organization's Director of Programs where she oversaw all program efforts across the organization, designing, developing, and directing some of the most successful programs in the Center for Ecoliteracy’s history. Her insight and compassion have nurtured our relationships with staff and partners to advance education for the sustainability of people and the planet. A Vassar graduate with a background in publications, she served in the corporate offices of Condé Nast Publications in New York, experience that lends editorial excellence to the organization’s publications and communications work. A farming apprenticeship in Vermont left her with a deep appreciation of one’s food system and the importance of connecting to place.
Jennifer Weir, Engagement Coordinator, supports the Center for Ecoliteracy’s Executive Director and leadership team, contributing to development, communications, finance, and operations. With more than two decades of experience in executive administrative support, she brings a strong foundation in organizational management and a deep commitment to mission-driven work. She is passionate about fostering relationships and supporting initiatives that strengthen communities. Outside of work, she stays active through volunteer service and is always looking for new ways to give back.