Who We Are

 


 

The Independent Health Foundation was established in 1992 by the Independent Health Association as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization to create community programs that engage Western New York residents in healthy lifestyle behaviors.  For more information about our parent company, including products and services, please visit independenthealth.com.

Independent Health Foundation has focused on meeting the needs of the community through the implementation of seven signature programs: First Night Buffalo, Good for the Neighborhood, Healthy Options, Soccer for Success, Fitness for Kids Challenge, Kids Run and Growing Up Strong. All of these programs foster the development of healthy habits and allow individuals to take control of their health. 

The Foundation team has developed a broad base of partnerships with local community organizations, corporate partners and health care providers to broaden their reach and further enforce health education across the entire Western New York community.  

Areas of focus include underserved and at-risk populations whose access to health care and social services are limited. Each year, IHF impacts over 200,000 Western New Yorkers through its signature programs. 

Meet the Foundation Team

carrie Carrie Meyer

Foundation Executive Director

Carrie has over 25 years’ experience in developing and implementing successful health education initiatives for the Foundation. She began her career as an intern and worked her way up to her role as the Foundation’s Executive Director, where her mission is to enhance the public’s knowledge of important health matters through community collaborations and partnerships.

Carrie earned her associate degree at Trocaire College and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Hilbert College. She is also a certified nutrition and wellness consultant through American Fitness Professionals and Associates. She received the Business First’s “Forty Under 40” award in 2004 and the Community Leadership Award in Business from the National Federation for Just Communities of WNY in 2009. In 2017 she also received Business First’s Women of Influence Award and the Community Service Award through the Amherst Chamber of Commerce.

She is a Board Member of Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network (BPPN) and WNY United Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Meyer is also a dedicated member of the Buffalo Public School’s Whole Child Wellness Committee, where she helped facilitate the implementation of health and wellness teams throughout the entire district.  

Anastasia Royal

Grants and Development Manager

Ana leads the Foundation’s development team in securing grants and sponsorships to support the Foundation’s signature programs. She oversees the research and writing of all grant proposals, reporting requirements, and the Growing Up Strong program. She loves to explore new partnerships to help foster the Foundation’s growth, while working closely with all Foundation team member to make sure each program is having a meaningful impact on the Western New York Community.

Ana has a Health Sciences degree from The College at Brockport, and a Master of Medical Anthropology from the University at Buffalo. She joined the Foundation team in 2017 and specializes in sustainable capacity building, a set of skills she gained while serving in the United States Peace Corps.

Outside of work Ana can be found playing with her kids and checking out all of the best coffee spots in Buffalo with her husband. She loves a good breakfast sandwich, camping, and live sporting events.

Ana enjoys connecting all the different pieces together to help the team be successful and contribute to systems that support health equity in our region.

April Gampp

Director of Operations

April heads up the Foundation’s public relations, advertising, marketing and social media efforts, as well as the department’s workflow, processes, staffing and general logistics. She oversees Foundation projects, including Healthy Options, Fitness for Kids Challenge, Kids Run and First Night Buffalo.

One of her favorite parts of her job is establishing new relationships and collaborating with other community organizations to expand the reach of programming.

April graduated from the University at Buffalo and has many years of prior experience in marketing and special events. Since joining the Foundation in 2002 she has implemented nearly every program at one point in time.

Outside of work, she and her husband have their own business building and renovating houses. She is passionate about historic preservation and likes to read, kayak and travel. She is still inspired to go to work every day because she has seen the Foundation’s impact over time and knows this team is making a difference in our community!  

Brianna Bartholomew

Healthy Options Registered Dietitian

Brianna works on the Healthy Options program and collaborates with all other Foundation programs to provide nutrition education and resources. Through the Foundation, she prides herself on helping others in the community discover the many ways good nutrition can be delicious, fun and accessible.

Brianna appreciates connecting with the community to promote positive, healthy changes and behaviors that can improve quality of life. Her passion for her job is fueled through building relationships with families throughout the community and seeing the positive changes she has inspired in others. Prior to joining the Foundation team in 2017, she graduated with a Master of Science from D’Youville College.

Outside of work, Brianna enjoys running and spending time with her family and fluffy dog.  

Carri Nutty

Good for the Neighborhood Project Specialist

Carri works primarily on the Good for the Neighborhood program, and she also leads the recruitment of volunteers for all Foundation programs.

One of her favorite parts of her job is being able to meet new people and make connections with other organizations. Carri is inspired to go to work every day because she knows that the Foundation is making a difference in our community and loves being a part of that!

Carri graduated from Daemen College and has prior experience in customer service. She has worked with the Foundation since 2019 and has loved learning and helping with all the programs that are offered to the community.

In addition to her love for the Buffalo Bills, outside of work, she and her husband love to travel to various college football towns. She enjoys reading, going on hikes and bike riding.

Emma Hartman

Grant Writer

As Development Coordinator, Emma advocates on behalf of the Foundation to research and secure external funding in support of the Foundation’s programs and mission.

She joined the Foundation in 2019 as the Foundation’s first AmeriCorps VISTA member to collaborate with turnkey Good for the Neighborhood partners in bringing relevant and engaging programming to unique communities across Western New York.

Emma graduated from The College at Brockport in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and a minor in Business Administration. This background supports Emma in her efforts to promote the importance of community-based programs that address a community’s unique needs.

During her downtime, she enjoys exploring nature, trying new local cafes and restaurants, cross stitching, as well as spending time with her friends and family.

Having been born and raised in Buffalo, Emma is passionate about the Foundation’s mission of improving the health and well-being of Western New York and is honored to play a role in connecting community members with the resources they deserve to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.  

Kiara Barlow

Project Coordinator

Fitness for Kids Program Administrator

Kiara joined the Foundation team in 2023. She is the project coordinator for the Foundation programs, First Night Buffalo and Kids Run.

Kiara began her academic journey at SUNY Erie college, where she explored various subjects to discover her passion. Kiara then transferred to the University at Buffalo and dedicated herself to earning a bachelor’s degree in communication while simultaneously immersing herself as a mentor and tutor. Here, she found fulfillment in guiding high school students through the college application process and offering valuable advice.

Recognizing the importance of community outreach, she transitioned to a role as an outreach assistant in the charter school sector, where she had a role in introducing a new school to the community and promoting its mission and goals.

In her free time, Kiara loves to spend time with family. She loves watching tv, bonding over sports, and indulging in self-care.

Jen Mitri

Manager, Community Initiatives

Jen oversees Foundation programs and teams for Good for the Neighborhood, Student Peer Advocate and Soccer for Success. She provides ongoing support and guidance while working closely with the leaders from these projects to help determine their overall strategic plan, partnerships and grant reporting. In addition, Jen also assists with department financials and legal processes.

Joining the Foundation in 2003 as an intern for First Night Buffalo, Jen has grown with the company, touching nearly every program. She has helped develop many of our signature programs, including Good for the Neighborhood and Fitness for Kids Challenge, and has had the pleasure of watching these programs help so many members of our community.

In her spare time, Jen enjoys spending time with her daughter, relaxing at home with her dogs and guinea pigs and tackling a DIY project. Having seen the impact we have made in the lives of the people we serve, Jen feels fortunate to be able to make a difference in the health of her community, and this drives her continued passion for our work.   

Kelsi Maciejewski

Soccer for Success Supervisor

Kelsi manages the Soccer for Success program, overseeing site managers, coordinating sites, planning family engagement events, as well as data collection and reporting. In addition, Kelsi leads United for Girls, an all-girls focused soccer and mentoring initiative.

Kelsi joined the Independent Health Foundation in 2012 as an intern researching grants. She assisted in writing a grant to bring the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Soccer for Success program to Buffalo and has continued working with the program since its inception. In addition to holding many positions within Soccer for Success, such as coaching, site managing, training and overseeing coach-mentors, Kelsi has also coordinated First Night Buffalo.

Kelsi graduated from Daemen College with a bachelor’s degree in Health Care Studies with a specialty in Health and Fitness where she was a four-year member of the women’s varsity soccer team.

Outside of work you can catch her walking and playing with her dog, camping, discovering unique stays (favorite so far has been a treehouse!), traveling anywhere and everywhere, baking, attending performances at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre and rooting on the Buffalo Bills. Kelsi enjoys creating relationships and friendships with the families she works with, seeing kids having fun and learning new skills and watching them grow into amazing people.

Kelsey Garvelli

Fitness for Kids Program Administrator

Kelsey is the Project Manager of the Foundation’s Fitness for Kids Challenge program, working closely with teachers and students to help spread the Foundation’s mission of teaching healthy habits at a young age.

Kelsey started off as an intern with the Independent Health Foundation in 2015 while in school at Canisius College. When she first joined the team, Kelsey oversaw the Healthy Options program and coordinated the Foundation’s annual Fall Fundraiser, Taps and Apps, for 4 years.

She has since shifted roles to the Fitness for Kids Challenge program and now works closely with elementary school teachers and students to implement a monthly curriculum that focuses on healthy habits such as daily physical activity, healthy eating and beverage choices, proper sleep and rest, limiting screen time and even mental health and social emotional learning.

She enjoys collaborating with her team on new ideas, creating social media content for Foundation events and finding ways to think outside of the box! Being out in the community and watching the impact all these programs have on its participants, makes Kelsey’s job not even feel like one. Outside of work, she enjoys doing house projects, crafting and hiking with her husband and dog, Gunnar.  

Melanie Goehle

Manager, Community Initiatives

Melanie oversees the team that operates the Foundation’s food access projects, large-scale events (First Night and Kids Run) and programs connected with the Foundation’s parent organization, Independent Health. She also manages the Foundation’s evaluation strategy and social media plans.

Melanie has been with the company since 2009, and has worked on several other programs, including Good for the Neighborhood. She enjoys creating new partnership connections in the community to make resources more accessible to the people who need them most.

After earning her bachelor’s degree from Furman University, she made a slow but steady move up the east coast, working with several other not-for-profit organizations before finding a home with the Independent Health Foundation.

A native Floridian, Melanie enjoys the creative outlet of music, whether through choral ensembles or keeping up on Debussy compositions at home. She and her husband own a small business and keep busy with their kids and continually starting (and occasionally finishing) new projects around the house.   

Megan Rusczcyk

Project Coordinator

As Project Coordinator, Megan handles the Foundation’s sponsorships for their many programs, including First Night Buffalo and Kids Run. She joined the Foundation in 2021 as a temporary employee and recently joined the team as an associate.

Megan spent several years in California, where she received a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach. During her time there, she interned at the Orange County Ronald McDonald House, a Non-profit organization that provides housing for sick children and their families while receiving treatments at local hospitals.

Megan eventually came back to Western New York, and was excited for an opportunity to get back into non-profit work with the Foundation. She knew the Foundation’s mission of improving the health and well-being of Western New York was a perfect fit for her.

Outside of work, Megan loves to spend time with her husband and 4 children. Their two favorite family activities are bike riding and cooking.

Veronica Twumasi

Office and Financial Assistant

Veronica joined the Independent Health Foundation in 2023, and works as an Office and Financial Assistant, keeping track of the organization’s finance and supporting other employees throughout any accounting processes.

Veronica holds a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from SUNY Brockport. Prior to joining the foundation, she worked as a Covid 19 contact tracer and conducted surveillance to help scientists gather data about infections and how they can be spread.

Outside of work, she has a passion for exploration and entertainment, and can be found travel around the world, immersing herself in new cultures and experiences.

Raby Ba

Good for the Neighborhood Project Specialist Senior

Raby is our Good for the Neighborhood Health and Wellness Program Coordinator, helping to empower families in underserved neighborhoods to eat right, be active, see their doctor and live a smoke-free lifestyle by connecting them with the tools and resources needed to be healthy.

He works to coordinate with vendors in helping participants get and stay healthy through health screenings, healthy goal setting, eating of fresh fruits and veggies and more. His favorite part of the job is knowing our program participants are creating good habits and improving their health and wellness.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Raby was a client service supervisor, working closely with families and clients who have underlying health conditions and need assistance with home care. He was responsible for managing the day-to-day scheduling for patients and field staff as ordered by the physician, ensuring that patients were supported by appropriately-matched caregivers.

Raby graduated from The State University of New York at Buffalo State College with a bachelor’s degree in Health & Wellness and a minor in Coaching. The work of the Foundation, the team behind it and the lives that are changed, inspires Raby to go to work each day.

Outside of the office, in addition to spending time with family and friends, he enjoys working on cars and bringing them back to life.

Tahmina Haider

Office Coordinator and Financial Coordinator

Tahmina handles the Foundation’s administrative duties and manages the Foundation’s financials, ensuring all program and administrative expenses are properly tracked and remain within budget. Additionally, Tahmina is the point person for the Foundation team’s technology needs and communication with the Board of Directors.

She enjoys working closely with the Executive Director to ensure all policies and procedures are up-to-date and new process improvements are put in place. Before joining the Foundation in 2019, Tahmina worked in the financial industry for eight years, gaining experience that ranged from banking to residential mortgages.

Born and raised in New York City, Tahmina earned her master’s degree from NYU in Organizational Behavior. She moved to Buffalo in 2013, and to Florida in 2021.

Tahmina loves to travel and has been to approximately 10 countries. One of her goals is to travel to all 50 states – and so far, she has visited 18 of them! With the Foundation, she sees firsthand a mission that impacts the community. It’s something she greatly believes in and feels honored to be a part of.  

Mission and Values

The Independent Health Foundation’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of the Western New York community through awareness, prevention and education programs focused on community health priorities. By collaborating with others and coordinating the support and resources people need to lead healthier lives, we:

  • Promote positive, health changes and behaviors in our community.

  • Provide health education and wellness screenings to underserved populations.

  • Empower individuals to become educated health care consumers.

  • Partner with local schools, community groups and businesses.

Join our Team

Find your fit in a culture and a career that helps shape the Independent Health difference. As a RedShirt® you’re part of something special, in your work and in a community we all strive to make healthier.