Seacoast Eat Local’s Board of Directors diversify and strengthen our ability to serve a wide range of constituents across Rockingham, Strafford, and York counties. Board members guide the strategic direction of Seacoast Eat Local and ensure staff and programs are accomplishing goals in our strategic plan.
Current Board Members
Dawn Barker
Old Brown Dog Veterinary Partners (she/her)
SEL Board Vice Chair
A favorite food or farm memory is… my Mom grew up on a farm in Minnesota and I loved going to visit and canning with my grandmother and enjoying the amazing goodness. Today I love gardening with my husband and enjoying the fruits of our labor.
A recipe I’m famous for is… my needhams and caramel brownies.
When I’m not working you can find me… exploring outside in the woods, hiking, on my paddle board or on my yoga mat. So many hobbies, so little time.
In my professional life… I help support and encourage people to be their best self so that we can have high employee retention and engagement.
Contact me if you want to know more about… I am on the governance committee which is involved with board recruitment and also with the JEDI committee.
Dawn joined SEL’s Board in 2019
Nick Barretto
New Hampshire Coffee Roasting Company (he/him)
A favorite food or farming memory is… eating snow peas off the vine from the garden we had in our yard as a kid, closely followed by munching on rhubarb stalks after picking it and giving it a quick rinse with the hose.
A dish I’m famous for is… I make a pretty good pasta, but a lot of people really like the surf clam pizzas I make.
When I’m not working you can find me… with my family, on an adventure ,or cooking a meal.
In my professional life… I enjoy discovering and sharing new coffees with people, and being a part of a family run business in the community I grew up in.
Nick joined SEL’s Board in 2023
Anton Bekkerman
New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station – UNH (he/him)
A favorite food or farming memory is… I love being in professional roles that support the food and agricultural industries, but ag isn’t something with which I grew up. This was made particularly evident during an experience when I lived in Montana and was invited to visit barley harvest at my colleague’s family farm. During the day, I tried running the combine, only to realize how much practice and expertise it takes to run farm machinery. While my combined rows looked just about as squiggly as a seismograph read-out during an earthquake, the experience definitely solidified my appreciation for the skillset of food producers.
A dish I’m famous for is… Boston cream pie pie (the well-known dessert, but in pie form).
When I’m not working you can find me… hanging out with our 6 and 1 year olds, walking or hiking with our two spaniels, and at the rink playing what (at least in my mind) passes for hockey.
In my professional life… I’m the director of the NH Agricultural Experiment Station, which is the state’s oldest public research and development organization focusing on improving New Hampshire’s agricultural, food, environmental, and natural resource fields through science and innovation.
Contact me if you want to know more about… SEL’s finance committee or governance committee.
Anton joined SEL’s Board in 2019
Kristen Deshaies
KLD Strategy (she/her)
A favorite food or farm memory is… in the early 80s, my dad’s employer allocated a small plot next to the office for an employee garden. I have such fond memories of family picnics there on summer evenings while we tended our veggies. I have particularly vivid memories of the feel and smell of digging in the soil for potatoes.
A recipe I like is… I love to cook, mostly simple everyday food loaded with veggies.
When I’m not working you can find me… cooking, listening to audiobooks, spending time with my family, volunteering, and trying to keep my Duolingo streak going.
In my professional life… I am a marketing and strategy consultant, focused on helping purpose-driven brands (and the teams behind them) grow and thrive.
Contact me if you want to know more about… I am on the strategic planning committee, JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) committee, and finance committee.
Kristen joined SEL’s Board in 2020
Krysta Gingue
University of New Hampshire Career and Professional Success (she/her)
A favorite food or farm memory is… picking cucumbers in my grandmother’s garden every summer and eating fresh cucumber sandwiches on the porch.
A recipe I’m famous for is… the perfect banana bread or if I am feeling particularly dedicated boeuf bourguignon.
When I’m not working you can find me… kayaking, biking, at the movies, or trying a new cafe.
In my professional life… I work with students and employers to offer on-campus and virtual recruitment opportunities for Wildcats to find their professional fit after graduating!
Contact me if you want to know more about… the Strategic Initiatives committee.
Krysta joined SEL’s Board in 2023
Eleanor Kane
Brasen Hill Farm (she/her)
SEL Board Chair
A favorite food or farm memory is… waiting for the first lamb to arrive each spring.
A recipe I’m famous for is… homemade smoked bacon from our own pork belly.
When I’m not working you can find me… hiking or playing ice hockey.
In my professional life… I hold a PhD in Education from UNH. I own Brasen Hill Farm in Barrington, where we offer a CSA through our online store.
Contact me if you want to know more about… I’m on the governance committee and the strategic planning committee.
Eleanor joined SEL’s Board in 2018
Abby Lamothe
Leone, McDonnell, Roberts (she/her)
SEL Board Treasurer
A favorite food or farm memory is…baking with my cat, Scamper.
A recipe I like is… any recipe with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.
When I’m not working you can find me… knitting.
In my professional life… I’m a CPA! I love to help individuals and organizations navigate their financial data with confidence.
Contact me if you want to know more about… nonprofit auditing, accounting, fiscal responsibility, budgeting.
Abby joined SEL’s Board in 2021
Parker Philbrick
Papa Wheelies Bike Shop (he/him)
SEL Board Secretary
A favorite food or farm memory is… helping host and cook for community dinners following MUB Farmer’s Markets at UNH.
A recipe I like is… veggie enchiladas with my homemade roasted tomatillo and poblano enchilada sauce. SO good!
When I’m not working you can find me… biking, skiing, hiking, and spending time outdoors!
In my professional life… I work as the Service Advisor at Papa Wheelies Bike Shop. This job is a combination of my passions of bicycles and helping others! I also aspire to work in the field of sustainability.
Parker joined SEL’s Board in 2023
Leslie Stevens
Owner of Sturgeon Creek Farm (she/hers)
A favorite food or farm memory is… my favorite fresh farm foods are sugar snap peas and fresh picked strawberries warmed by the sun.
A recipe I like is… I make several recipes from my grandmother during the holidays but my favorite is date nut bread.
When I’m not working you can find me… sitting with my sheep in the pen.
In my professional life… I used to be a social worker in another life and now I grow food and run a farm.
Contact me if you want to know more about… the finance committee, board governance committee, and board recruitment. I also like to volunteer and have helped with projects and attending markets.
Leslie joined SEL’s Board in 2019
Mike Vandercook
Owner/Operator of Picaro Farms (he/him)
A favorite food or farm memory is… eating fried oyster poboys. I’m from about an hour south of New Orleans. The poboys were always my favorite and make think of home.
A recipe I like is… gumbo.
When I’m not working you can find me… in my wood shop or with my dogs.
In my professional life… I cultivate gourmet and medicinal mushrooms.
Mike joined SEL’s Board in 2023