Renee Fillette-Miccio, PhD

Executive Director

She/Her – Renee@dutchessoutreach.org // ext. 3248

Renee Fillette-Miccio, PhD is a seasoned nonprofit executive with over 25 years of leadership experience across human services, including child welfare, domestic violence, behavioral health, homelessness, food insecurity, and education. In 2003, she founded the first new foster care agency licensed in New York State in over 30 years to serve high-risk youth in community-based group homes. She later served as Executive Director of Grace Smith House, a Dutchess County agency providing safety and support to survivors of domestic violence. In 2014, after earning her doctorate in Public Service: Leadership and Management of Non-Profits, she became Chief Operating Officer at Astor Services for Children. Her career has been grounded in the belief that people deserve access to respectful, effective, and empowering services. Her work and lived experiences have deepened her understanding of how poverty, housing instability, and food insecurity intersect—and how systemic challenges often limit people’s ability to achieve long-term health, stability, and opportunity.

As Executive Director of Dutchess Outreach, Renee is a passionate advocate for food justice and is committed to transforming how food insecurity is addressed. She works to disrupt the long-standing belief that charity alone is the solution, instead championing innovation, collaboration, and community-driven strategies. She believes in hyper-local solutions and the development of local markets that better support both farmers and people who need reliable access to healthy, culturally relevant, and affordable food.

Renee’s leadership extends beyond her role at Dutchess Outreach. She is the Founder and Chair of the Dutchess County Food Security Council and the Founder of the Dutchess County Emergency Food Providers Coalition, where she has brought together partners across the region to strengthen coordination, expand access, and build a more resilient local food system. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Alliance for a Hunger Free New York, contributing to statewide efforts to advance food security and equitable policy solutions.

Tara Whalen

Assistant Executive Director, Community Care

She/Her – Tara@dutchessoutreach.org // ext. 3249

Tara grew up in Dutchess County and has lived in the area all her life. From a young age, she felt a strong desire to help those less fortunate and make a difference in her community. In 1997, she saw an ad in the Poughkeepsie Journal for a position at Dutchess Outreach and eagerly applied. She began as an Administrative Assistant, learning vital skills under the mentorship of former Executive Director Brian Riddell, while always remaining connected to the people the organization serves.

In Tara’s current role, she provides hands-on case management, ensuring guests receive the support and resources they need in emergency situations. She is deeply committed to keeping clients at the center of everything the organization does, guiding programs and services with their needs as the top priority.

Tara has been with Dutchess Outreach for over 25 years and considers the guests she serves her greatest teachers, having learned more from them than any classroom could offer.

Jeanne Traugot, JD

Assistant Executive Director, Mission Growth

She/Her – Jeanne@dutchessoutreach.org // ext. 3246

As Assistant Executive Director, Mission Growth, Jeanne leads the Development and Communications team and works closely with the Executive Director on organizational strategy and advocacy. She oversees the organization’s grant and donor portfolio while driving funding growth to meet the expanding needs of Dutchess Outreach’s programs. Jeanne also ensures that communications and programs align with the organization’s mission and effectively represent Dutchess Outreach to the broader community.

Before joining Dutchess Outreach, Jeanne served as Development and Volunteer Manager at Safe Harbors of the Hudson, where her development and communications efforts strengthened the organization’s housing, arts, and community programs. Previously, she was Development and Communications Director for the ALS Association–Greater New York Chapter, managing a million-dollar fundraising initiative along with communications and advocacy outreach. Earlier in her career, Jeanne was Senior Manager of Donor Relations at City Harvest, New York City’s largest food rescue organization, where she managed a portfolio of VIP donors and community partners and developed marketing strategies.

Jeanne was selected as a 2020 Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress Fellow, collaborating with community leaders on pressing regional challenges and solutions. She holds a Juris Doctor with a concentration in Public Interest Law from Western New England University School of Law and a B.A. from the University at Albany.

Jeanne grew up in the Hudson Valley and returned to the region to raise her son in the community she calls home. Outside of work, she enjoys a wide variety of outdoor activities with him.

Samantha Vacchio

Director of Finance & HR

She/Her – Samantha@dutchessoutreach.org // ext. 3247

Samantha comes to Dutchess Outreach with over ten years of fiscal management experience in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. She She has worked at Cornell Cooperative Extension, Grace Smith House, Hudson River Fruit Distributors, and in private practice. She is proficient in most areas of non-profit fiscal management, and the use of Quickbooks. She is the first administrator at Dutchess Outreach to use Quickbooks  – a major step forward for us.

Samantha has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and is a Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional.

Nyhisha T. Gibbs, MPA

Director of Community Engagement

She/Her – Nyhisha@dutchessoutreach.org // ext. 3250

Nyhisha T. Gibbs, brings a broad range of education, experience and enthusiasm to her position.  She was introduced to volunteerism at a young age and it has influenced and directed her path. It continues to be an integral part of her life.

Her role of managing the Dutchess Outreach “workforce” of over 1,000 volunteers each year is critical. Our vital and valuable volunteers are the heart of Dutchess Outreach and are managed with professionalism, timeliness, patience and charisma.

Nyhisha is a Brooklyn (East New York) native who resides in the Mid-Hudson Valley. Nyhisha received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina State University (Raleigh) and her Masters of Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice (NYC, the Excellence in Nonprofit Management Certification from Adelphi University (NY) and her certification in Fundraising Activation for Rising Executive Leaders of Color (Cause Effective Leadership (Cohort 4).

Lianne McElhone

Associate Director, Development & Communications

She/Her – Lianne@dutchessoutreach.org //

With nearly a decade of experience in strategic fund development, Lianne specializes in annual giving and mission-driven storytelling. Her work is grounded in equity, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to community-centered growth and expanding access to resources that affirm dignity and belonging.

She is also deeply committed to ethical philanthropy, transparency, and nonprofit best practices as essential foundations for building trust and lasting impact.

Before joining Dutchess Outreach, she led and supported successful fundraising efforts in the fields of mental health and youth development, helping organizations advance missions with authenticity and purpose.

Beverly Embry

Director of Programs

She/Her – Beverly@dutchessoutreach.org

Beverly brings a lifelong commitment to service, community, and care to her role as Director of Programs at Dutchess Outreach. After spending more than two decades in grocery retail operations—where she held a variety of roles and built deep expertise in customer service and team leadership.

In 2024, Beverly completed a six-month internship with Dutchess Outreach while earning her social work degree from Eastern Gateway Community College. During that time, she supported both the Pantry and the Lunch Box, building strong connections with neighbors and staff. When a position opened, stepping into a permanent role felt like a natural next chapter.

A dedicated volunteer throughout her life, Beverly has supported the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and her children’s Band Boosters program, where she also served in leadership roles. Her commitment to showing up for her community is evident in everything she does.

Outside of work, Beverly enjoys hiking, spending time with her family, and attending Broadway shows with her daughter.

Jean Michel

Pantry Manager

// jean@dutchessoutreach.org

Rebecca Echevarria

Community Food Systems Manager

Any – Rebecca@dutchessoutreach.org

As the Community Food Systems Manager at Dutchess Outreach, Rebecca Echevarria is guided by the notion of service, care for individuals and the natural environment, and the possibilities for transformation within our food system. She first became interested in food and agriculture while working on permaculture and organic farms abroad and returned to the United States to pursue a self-designed bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice through the CUNY Baccalaureate Program for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies. She also holds an Alternative MA in Food and Art through the Gramounce. At Dutchess Outreach, she coordinates the network of food pantries across Dutchess County, leads off-site food distributions, organizes a gleaning program, and builds relationships with local food partners.

Before arriving at Dutchess Outreach, she pursued a variety of positions including teaching English in Japan, caring for elders and children in the Hudson Valley, apprenticing at Sky High Farm, and working to support families of the disappeared at the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team.

Outside of work, Rebecca is passionate about all things food preservation, especially fermentation. She hosts a radio program called Meant to Ferment on WGXC 90.7 FM, teaches food preservation in local libraries, organizes gatherings focused on food and fermentation, and presents at festivals. She also loves to spend time outside and enjoy this beautiful region.

Thomas McKinney

Chef

He/Him – Thomas@dutchessoutreach.org

Thomas is a Dutchess County native and brings over 20 years of kitchen experience and positive energy to our Lunch Box. He joined Dutchess Outreach because he loves helping people, and giving back to the community he lives in.

Christina Pierantozzi

Chef

//  Christina@dutchessoutreach.org

Justin Embry

Retail Recovery Coordinator

He/Him – Justin@dutchessoutreach.org

Eric Matteo

Food Access Coordinator

He/Him – Eric@dutchessoutreach.org

Teresa Brennan

Volunteer Coordinator

She/Her – Teresa@dutchessoutreach.org // ext. 3243

Teresa was born and raised in Poughkeepsie, in which she still resides. Working at Dutchess Outreach has given her a certain sense of satisfaction. It has enabled her to combine her clerical skills with her natural desire to help people in need. Teresa is looking forward to being a member of the Dutchess Outreach team for many years to come.

Crystal Vargas

Finance Coordinator

Crystal@dutchessoutreach.org

Rich Oszip

Lunch Box Dishwasher

He/Him – Rich@dutchessoutreach.org