Board of Directors

Born in NYC, but raised in the western southern Rockies: Phoenix and El Paso. I have three grown “kids” – one in law school, one in grad school, and another is a sophomore at University of Arizona. I was formerly a professor of international and humanitarian law at the University of New Brunswick in Canada. Have practiced immigration, asylum and human rights law for 20+ years. Was heavily involved in reuniting and fighting for release of Central Americans during family separation crisis in the last Trump administration. Currently work as external lawyer for the Alliance of Idaho. Love to travel and engage with all things analog: vinyl and film cameras.

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Carter Cox moved to Hailey in 2019 after living in Jackson, Wyoming for seven years and is excited to be making her home in the Wood River Valley with her two daughters. During her time in Jackson, Carter served Slow Food in the Tetons as Director of Operations and as a board member, also serving in staff roles at the National Museum of Wildlife Art and the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance. With a background in nonprofit management, philanthropy and leadership development, Carter brings expertise in strategic planning, fundraising strategy, and project management. Carter is a Senior Associate with Pathfinder Philanthropy Advisors and enjoys anything active outdoors when not working or volunteering. As a regular volunteer with her family at Bloom Farm and Hope Garden, Carter is excited to add board service to her roles with The Hunger Coalition!

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Jeff Emerick is a longtime local and committed to making the community he grew up in a better place for all people. To that end, he’s worked as a firefighter, for the Blaine County Elections Office, and Sun Valley Company to name a few. He first connected with The Hunger Coalition after a string of medical emergencies drove him into debt. After seeing the impact of good food on the people around him, he knew he wanted to join the efforts of the organization. He’s since helped as a member of their Advisory Council, joined their COVID Response Team, and is now a member of their Board of Directors. He continues to serve the community as an Elections Chief Judge and through Advocacy work with The Hunger Coalition while working towards a degree in Political Science from the College of Southern Idaho.

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Mariela was born in Huancayo, Perú, and moved to the US with her family when she was nine years old. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Idaho where she studied Operations Management. Mariela has been working since she was 14, and maintained her CNA certificate throughout college to graduate debt-free.

Mariela has served the people of Blaine County through positions at Wood River St. Luke’s, Blaine Manor, Rico’s Pizza, and Pasta, and The Hunger Coalition. Mariela currently works as the Philanthropy Associate at The Community Library, and at her dad’s company; Eagle Roofing LLC. She is an advocate for Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity in our community.

Mariela and her son spend time with their family as much as possible and enjoy adventures.

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Deb is an emergency physician and medical director of the Emergency Department at St. Luke’s Wood River. She moved to the valley eight years ago with her husband and young children from Portland, Oregon. She loves being a member of this vibrant valley, participating in the children’s activities, practicing medicine, and relaxing on a peaceful hike or backcountry ski in the mountains. She’s excited to join The Hunger Coalition Board to work with our incredibly dedicated staff and board who provide invaluable resources to the community.

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Charlotte has been a resident of the Wood River Valley since moving here with her family in 1993. From the birth of her first child in 1979, she has been fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom and community volunteer. Work experience prior to that was as the bookkeeper for her family’s manufacturing business.

She has volunteered for and served on the board of The Advocates, including a couple of years as chair, and chaired and worked with the Grants Committee for the Wood River Women’s Foundation. Her personal mission is to help in whatever way she can to build an inclusive community, one which supports and empowers every one of its members. Providing good, nutritious food is at the foundation of that strong community. Thanks to The Hunger Coalition for focusing its energy on this vital task.

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Deb is originally from El Paso, TX and was raised in Twin Falls, ID. She first moved to the Wood River Valley in 1992, and graduated from Boise State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Bilingual Education. She went on to get her Master of Arts in Curriculum Instruction and Education, also at Boise State University. She’s taught every elementary grade except for first, and is currently a reading specialist at Alturas Elementary. Deb enjoys hiking, camping, exploring new places with her husband Tucker and three children, and playing the violin with Wood River Orchestra. “I believe strongly in every member of our community having food security and am grateful to be a small part of making that happen through The Hunger Coalition’s work.

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Patti moved to the Wood River Valley full-time in 2017 with her husband Roland from Oregon where they raised their three daughters. After a corporate career in marketing and strategy consulting and volunteer board service for organizations focused on education, Patti wanted to get involved with a dynamic group making a real difference in her new community. Patti is excited to join the Board to further The Hunger Coalition’s mission and reach in the community.