Renee Fillette*

Executive Director

She/Her – [email protected] // ext. 3248

Renee Fillette is an executive bringing over 16 years of experience in child welfare, domestic violence, peer support, autism, behavioral health, homelessness, food insecurity, care management, substance abuse, Head Start, and education. At an early age, Renee found her passion while volunteering in soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters for the homeless. In 2003, she founded the first new foster care agency to be licensed in New York state in over 30 years. It was there at St. John Bosco that she learned about leadership and management of a non-profit and grew the agency from its original budget of $300k to nearly $2m serving high-risk children in community-based group homes. Several years later she served as the executive director at Grace Smith House, a Dutchess County-based agency for survivors of domestic violence. It was under her tenure that the agency expanded its services to offer a teen dating violence prevention program in all 13 school districts throughout the county. In 2014 Renee earned her doctorate in Public Service: Leadership and Management of Non-Profits and moved into a newly created position of Chief Operating Officer at Astor Services for Children and Families. During her time at Astor Renee led the restructuring of a $65m agency, major service expansions in the Bronx, and performance improvements to enhance the quality of care provided and the fiscal health of the agency.

Renee’s career has always focused on providing much-needed services to people in the most respectful, effective, and efficient way possible. Her work and travels have informed her about the devastating impacts of poverty, housing, and food insecurity, and the many systemic challenges that prevent people from achieving their greatest potential for health and happiness. It is her mission to connect with people, institutions, and social systems in a meaningful, compassionate, and transformative way. She feels deeply aligned with our mission at Dutchess Outreach and is looking forward to building on our strong legacy while supporting our staff to further their unique talents and honor their remarkable dedication.

Tara Whalen*

Associate Executive Director

She/Her – [email protected] // ext. 3249

Tara grew up in Dutchess County, attended local schools, and has lived in the area all her life. She remembers as a young girl always wanting to help people less fortunate than her and felt a strong desire to make a difference. In 1997 Tara saw an ad in the Poughkeepsie Journal for a position at Dutchess Outreach. She was aware of the services they provided and was eager to apply. Tara started in the back office as an Administrative Assistant but has always had her feet up front, excited to help the people served by Dutchess Outreach. While working administration, Tara learned many necessary skills from former Executive Director, Brian Riddell who had been her mentor.  In her position as Associate Director, Tara feels a great deal of pride, but mostly gratitude to Brian Riddell for always believing in her and teaching her. As of 2022, Tara has been with the organization for 25 years! Tara considers the clients she serves as her greatest teachers, however, as they have taught her more than any classroom ever could.

Evelina Knodel

Director of Operations

She/[email protected]// ext. 3242

Evelina is an urban designer and food justice activist. She recently transitioned from working as an designer at MASS Design Group to the Director of Operations at Dutchess Outreach where she is excited to be able to more directly address community needs. She has worked and lived in Poughkeepsie since 2017, working on a variety of projects with a strong focus on food systems and sustainability while getting to know the Hudson Valley and its plethora of incredible communities and organizations. Evelina is also heavily involved in other local initiatives and non-profits, including the Poughkeepsie Farm Project, the Regional Sustainability Coalition, and the Dutchess County Climate Smart Communities Task Force.

Samantha Vacchio

Director of Finance & HR

She/Her – [email protected] // 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

Director of Community Engagement

She/Her – [email protected] // 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).

Jeanne Traugot**

Director of Development & Communications

She/Her – [email protected] // ext. 3246

As the Director of Development & Communications at Dutchess Outreach, Jeanne manages our existing grant and donor portfolio while increasing funding to support the growing needs of our programs. Jeanne also focuses on ensuring the organization’s communication efforts coincide with the organization’s mission and best represents Dutchess Outreach to the community.

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

Jeanne was selected as a 2020 Hudson Valley Pattern For Progress Fellow working with a group of community leaders on pressing issues and solutions facing the region. Jeanne has a Juris Doctor from Western New England University School of Law with a concentration in Public Interest Law and a B.A. from the University at Albany.

Jeanne grew up in the Hudson Valley and returned several years ago to raise her son in the same community she grew up in. Her young son keeps her very busy and she enjoys a wide-variety of outdoor activities with him.

Micah Watts

Finance & HR Coordinator

She/Her – [email protected] // ext. 3247

Micah, a Poughkeepsie native, comes to Dutchess Outreach with a background in administration, case management, and billing from her previous role as an Administrative Assistant for a local non-profit daycare center.

Micah received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Buffalo State University and is excited about expanding her knowledge in all things finance and HR. She is grateful to be a part of an organization that is having such a positive and lasting impact on the community she grew up in.

Deanna Jacobs

Food Systems Coordinator

She/[email protected]

Deanna brings experience in project management, the food system, community health coordination, and health education. She earned her Master of Public Health Degree and Graduate Certificate in Maternal and Child Health from the University at Albany. She also holds her certification as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) from the National Commision for Health Education Credentialing.

Prior to working at Dutchess Outreach, Deanna worked as a New York State Public Health Corps Graduate Fellow alongside great leaders in the New York Capital Region to fight food insecurity through policy, advocacy, and research. She currently coordinates the Dutchess County Emergency Food Providers Coalition and Farm Stands (monthly food distributions throughout the County She is working on updating food insecurity data for Dutchess County. Her goal is to create a strong food network that is more accessible to all.

Chris Rydell

Executive Chef

He/[email protected] // ext. 3096

Chris is a long-time volunteer at Dutchess Outreach in both the Pantry and our Lunch Box. We are absolutely thrilled he is joining our staff officially!

Chris has over 30 years of experience as an executive chef and sous chef in high end restaurants throughout Connecticut.  He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America where he focused on gaining the wide array of skills needed to run a restaurant.  Chris has an even-tempered approach, desire to ‘have fun’ in the kitchen, and a deep sensitivity toward our guests.

Dave Dunn

Sous Chef

He/[email protected]

Dave has 20 years of experience as a Food Service Director, working with our local school districts. He’s joined Dutchess Outreach because “it is an honor to serve the underserved.” You can find him in our Lunch Box during dinner service.

Thomas McKinney

Assistant Sous Chef

He/[email protected]

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.

Wally Gary

Pantry Manager

He/[email protected]// ext. 3240

Wally comes to DO from New York’s Department of Homeless Services, with almost a decade of experience working with the unhoused and in need. Wally assisted clients with finding the services they need with the dignity, respect, professionalism that Dutchess Outreach values most.

Justin Embry

Retail Recovery Coordinator

He/[email protected]

Teresa Brennan*

Administrative Assistant

She/Her – [email protected] // 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.

Rich Oszip

Lunch Box Dishwasher

He/Him – [email protected]