top of page

team

Meet The Individuals Behind MFFC

MFFC is a grassroots organization devoted to community empowerment. We strive to make our team representative of the Mattapan community, so a majority of our board and staff are Mattapan residents! At our heart, we are a Mattapan organization run by Mattapan residents. Our dedication to community empowerment and development is reflected in our team. Our leadership team members are also deeply involved in the community and are active in their respective neighborhood associations and participate in meetings around housing, transportation, and other issues affecting the community. Hover over their images to learn more about them!

staff

Headshot of MFFC Executive Director Shavel'le Olivier
Shavel'le Olivier, MS
Executive Director
Shavel'le Olivier, MS

Executive Director

Shavel'le has been a Mattapan resident for 15 years and is MFFC's first Executive Director.  She currently holds a MS. in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University. Among administrative duties she helps to support the Vigorous Youth in their bike related work.

Shavel'le has been a Mattapan resident for 15 years and is MFFC's first Executive Director of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition.

Headshot of MFFC Active Living and Environment Coordinator Kay Savage
Shavel'le Olivier, MS
Executive Director
Karleena "Kay" Savage

Active Living + Environment Coordinator

Karleena has a BS in Healthcare Management. She has worked in the medical field for about 10yrs and  is currently transitioning into personal fitness/training. Her passion is to educate and help women live a more healthier lifestyle, after she herself had a health scare. She is a native of Mattapan and resides in Dorchester with her 2 children.

Shavel'le has been a Mattapan resident for 15 years and is MFFC's first Executive Director of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition.

Headshot of MFFC Food Access Manager Vickey Siggers
Vickey Siggers
Food Access Manager

Vickey Siggers first became involved in Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition 14 years ago as the Community Leader for Healthy on the Block Initiative. She now runs the Mattapan Square Farmers Market and the Summer Eats meal sites at the market and Mattapan Branch Library. Vickey also works at the Family Engagement Network.

22F04528-9178-4EF3-B5BD-7C355A4B5D9F_1_201_a.jpeg
Shavel'le Olivier, MS
Executive Director
Shawntell Usher-Thames

Youth Development + Transportation Advocacy Program Manager

Hi my name is Shawntell Usher-Thames and I am 29 years old. I have worked with youth since I was 14 at my first youth summer job through ABCD. That has blossomed into a love for education, teaching and learning with young people of all ages. Growing up (and still to this day) I spent most of my time watching anime, reading books, writing poetry and being active. My love of school was not always shared with my peers at school or work. So once I grew up I dedicated my time to making education fun and understandable for learners of all types. I cannot wait to help build a healthier, happier and funner Mattapan!

Shavel'le has been a Mattapan resident for 15 years and is MFFC's first Executive Director of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition.

F83E4D9B-2B79-4F83-BBC5-6C210C8C1694.jpeg
Shavel'le Olivier, MS
Executive Director
Lesly Adame

Food Access Coordinator

Lesly is MFFC's food access coordinator. She works closely with Vickey to manage and organize the annual Mattapan Square Farmers Market. Additionally, Lesly in involved in volunteer outreach, tabling, and fostering community partnerships.

Shavel'le has been a Mattapan resident for 15 years and is MFFC's first Executive Director of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition.

518DE03E-69FE-4DB2-AE60-CA13E7BEE7FE_1_201_a.heic
Samantha Otridge

Samantha is a marketing student with an interest in public health communication and sustainability. She works with staff and interns to organize external and internal communication.

Marketing

Communications

Coordinator

​

9342A4B4-E85D-4E9B-9924-119D0FAAC97A.jpeg
Shavel'le Olivier, MS
Executive Director
Zani'ah "Zee" Brown

Zani'ah has a Bachelor's degree in Biology with minors in Economics and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She also holds an Associate's Degree in General Health Sciences. Zani'ah started working with MFFC as an intern in 2023, creating our first annual report and was excited to continue working with the MFFC family. Zani'ah is passionate about increasing healthcare access, healthy lifestyles, and wellness education for intergenerational African American diasporic communities.

Program Manager

Shavel'le has been a Mattapan resident for 15 years and is MFFC's first Executive Director of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition.

Board Members

Headshot of MFFC founder and board chair Vivien Morris
Shavel'le Olivier, MS
Executive Director
Vivien Morris, MS, RD, MPH, LDN

Board Chair

Vivien is a founder of the Boston Organization of Nutritionists and Dietitians of Color, a professional organization devoted to increasing African American and Afro Caribbean nutritionists and dietitians and providing nutrition education in the community. She also founded MFFC.

Shavel'le has been a Mattapan resident for 15 years and is MFFC's first Executive Director of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition.

Headshot of MFFC board member Sonia Carter
Shavel'le Olivier, MS
Executive Director
Sonia Carter, MS, LDN

Board Member

Sonia Carter, MS, LDN, has been a part of MFFC since 2007. She is currently the Nutrition and Wellness Program Manager at the Boston Public Health Commission and provides leadership and management for the Division of Chronic Disease Prevention. At MFFC she co-chairs the annual Mattapan Moving for Life event and cooking classes.

Shavel'le has been a Mattapan resident for 15 years and is MFFC's first Executive Director of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition.

916C4274-08B9-4F2A-AE64-238FDE41CEF0_1_201_a.jpeg
Reann Gibson, MPH

Board Member

Theresa Jordan, 
MPA

Board Member

Theresa Jordan is Director of Children’s Facilities Finance for the Children’s Investment Fund, a state-wide technical assistance and finance organization serving early care and education and out-of-school time programs in Massachusetts. At MFFC she helps co-chair the annual Mattapan Moving For Life event.

When she's not serving on the leadership team, Reann can be found doing participatory action research related to gentrification at the Conservation Law Foundation, taking care of plants, or riding her bike around Boston. 

D438F6F5-527A-47A1-B282-1E5288C6A140_1_201_a.jpeg
Shavel'le Olivier, MS
Executive Director
Robyn Gibson

Board Member

Robyn Gibson has ten years of experience working with nonprofit organizations on development, fundraising, strategy, and equity and inclusion. She is currently working at YW Boston as the Program Manager for InclusionBoston. 

Robyn Gibson

Robyn Gibson has ten years of experience working with nonprofit organizations on development, fundraising, strategy, and equity and inclusion. She is currently working at YW Boston as the Program Manager for InclusionBoston

Shavel'le has been a Mattapan resident for 15 years and is MFFC's first Executive Director of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition.

FD7539B6-C641-45F8-83FD-D82DD6229705_1_201_a.jpeg
Shavel'le Olivier, MS
Executive Director
Shari Campbell

Board Member

Shari is certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, business owner, and former educator. She transitioned into wellness after a short stint working as a Guidance Counselor in a competency-based alternative education program for the Boston Public Schools. She has since spent time in various roles assessing social-emotional learning in pre-school age children to directing adult healthy living programs for the YMCA of Greater Boston. What is clear to her is that wellness is not just limited to one domain, and that achieving community wellness is a complicated problem that requires a 360 degree approach.

Shavel'le has been a Mattapan resident for 15 years and is MFFC's first Executive Director of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition.

Interns

Headshot of MFFC student intern Jessica Lane
Shavel'le Olivier, MS
Executive Director
Jessica Lane

Boston University

Jessica is a current BS/MPH student at Boston University. She is an undergraduate senior and has an interest in both global and environmental health. As a public health major she is excited to work with the MFFC and is excited to learn more about the Mattapan community!

Shavel'le has been a Mattapan resident for 15 years and is MFFC's first Executive Director of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition.

Jessica is a current BS/MPH student at Boston University. She is an undergraduate senior and has an interest in both global and environmental health. As a public health major she is excited to work with the MFFC and is excited to learn more about the Mattapan community!

1C139390-192D-4DC5-B9A5-5753B642F1DE.heic
Shavel'le Olivier, MS
Executive Director
Makda Tadess

Colby College

Makda Tadess is a rising junior at Colby College. She is currently pursuing a BA in Environmental Policy, and wants to explore all the potential pathways in the field. Having experience living in both the urban and suburban areas of Massachusetts, Tadess was exposed to environmental racism and injustice early on in her education. She is passionate about deepening her understanding of these important issues, and working with local organizations to combat some of the negative impacts on the Black and brown community. This summer she is excited to be volunteering for the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition (MFFC), and continuing the important work that has brought Mattapan residents together in past and coming years.

Shavel'le has been a Mattapan resident for 15 years and is MFFC's first Executive Director of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition.

9D8C4A56-79CF-491A-BA57-C5E91A8D0AE0.png
Shavel'le Olivier, MS
Executive Director
Abigail "Abby" Morgan

Abigail is a rising junior in the Carroll School of Management at Boston College studying Finance with a minor in Managing for Social Impact and the Public Good. She is originally from Shaker Heights, Ohio, and enjoys soccer, running, and volunteering. Abigail's favorite campus involvements include being a student job coach at the Boston College Supported Employment Program and Women in Business. She hopes to combine her passion for community engagement and a drive to help greater Boston families through accessible healthy food options and work towards creating solutions in the area.

Shavel'le has been a Mattapan resident for 15 years and is MFFC's first Executive Director of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition.

Boston College

E76B9B60-0AEE-41A1-9B90-2274AF51D1FD_4_5005_c.jpeg
Shavel'le Olivier, MS
Executive Director
Ishmael  Hazelwood

Ishmael Dolphy Hazelwood  is a Milton/Mattapan resident that has been greatly involved within his community since he was a child. He currently attends UMass Amherst, and is pursuing a Bachelor's degree for Operation & Informations Management. His involvement in the community will continue to grow and blossom as he now expands his reach to Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition

Shavel'le has been a Mattapan resident for 15 years and is MFFC's first Executive Director of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition.

UMass Amherst 

bottom of page