As the Associate Director of Downstate Programs and Partnerships, Elizabette provides strategic leadership and helps shape and implement the vision for Food and Nutrition Education in Communities (FNEC) under the direction of the FNEC Director. In this role, she advances the mission of promoting nutrition and well-being across New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County. Representing the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) at local, state, and national levels, Elizabette plays a critical role in program development and oversight. She builds and strengthens partnerships with organizations and agencies, supports staff growth and professional development, and collaborates closely with nutrition team leaders in CUCE-NYC, other Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) programs, and campus faculty, staff, and students. Additionally, she oversees evaluation and quality assurance efforts, increases the impact and visibility of community nutrition initiatives, and works to foster healthier, more equitable communities throughout the NYC and Downstate Region. Her portfolio spans curriculum and program development, strategic planning, and cross-sector collaboration, with a particular focus on improving food security and health outcomes for communities with limited resources.
Food Justice; Food Systems; Culturally Responsive Pedagogy and Practice in Nutrition Education; Foodways; Culinary Medicine; Social Determinants of Health (SDOH); Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) approaches.