The Center for Food Systems, Nutrition Security, and Health Integration's leadership team brings together expertise in public health, nutrition security, community and stakeholder engagement, digital education, and food systems to tackle current issues in these areas with research, innovation, and practical solutions.
Leadership
Center Staff
Jennifer McCaffrey
Assistant Dean, Health and Community Wellness; Executive Director, Center for Food Systems, Nutrition Security, and Health Integration
Keywords
Nutrition
Health
Leadership
Community Health
Wellness
217-300-1799
Trinity Allison
Senior Program Lead, Education and Strategic Initiatives & Assistant Director, Center for Food Systems, Nutrition Security, and Health Integration
(217) 300-8609
Caitlin Kownacki
Senior Program Lead, Research & Evaluation and Assistant Director, Center for Food Systems, Nutrition Security, & Health Integration
Keywords
Chronic Diseases
Community Health
EFNEP
Emergency Food
Faculty
Food Access
Health
Health Care
Healthy Eating
INEP
Nutrition
Nutrition Education
Obesity Prevention
217-300-5283
Beth Peralta
Senior Program Lead, Digital Education Strategy and Assistant Director, Center for Food Systems, Nutrition Security, and Health Integration
(217) 244-7405
Kaitlyn Streitmatter
Senior Program Lead, Community and Stakeholder Engagement & Assistant Director, Center for Food Systems, Nutrition Security, and Health Integration
Keywords
Nutrition
INEP
Nutrition Education
Professional Development CEU CPDU
(217) 300-0781
Chelsey Byers
Extension Specialist
Keywords
Administration
Aging
Brain Health
Caregiving
Chronic Diseases
Communication
Dementia Alzheimer’s
Elder Care
Family Life
Health
Health Care
Leadership Development
Managing Stress
Marketing
Mental Health
Mindfulness
Physical Activity
Professional Development CEU CPDU
Real Colors
Relationships
Resilience
Social-Emotional Health
Team Building
Trauma-Informed Adverse Childhood Experiences
Wellness
Workforce Development
Workplace Wellness
217-300-3930
Makala Bach
Outreach Associate
Keywords
Agriculture
Urban Agriculture
Community Development
Food Access
(217) 244-4439
Board of Directors
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Center for Food Systems, Nutrition Security, and Health Integration Board of Directors at Grand Opening, Sept. 24, 2026
Pictured, left to right:
- Shaan Trotter, Aetna Better Health Illinois
- Sean Park, Western Illinois University
- Jennifer Paulson, Food Works
- Kathryn Bernstein, Illinois Public Health Institute
- Raghela Scavuzzo, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Specialty Growers
- Dr. Amy Christison, University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, OSF Healthcare
- Steve Ericson, Feeding Illinois
- Tal Vanek, City of Chicago Public Health
- Amy Funk, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center; Jackie Joyner-Kersee Food, Agriculture, and Nutrition Innovation Center
Not pictured:
- Rodger Cooley, Chicago Food Policy Action Council
- Beth Knight, Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies
- Tracey Smith, Illinois Public Health Association