VEAP’s Associate Board is an engaged team of early to mid career professionals who bring a diversity of ideas to our organization, provide input to the board of directors, support fundraising events and raise awareness of VEAP in younger generations.
Gabrielle (Gabby) Japke is currently the Senior Brand and Content Specialist at a manufacturing company. She has volunteered at a variety of organizations her entire life and participating on a board has been a long-time goal of hers. Gabby first connected with VEAP from her current employer and feels deeply committed to our mission in the community. As a member of our Associate Board, she enjoys impacting many people in her community directly. Gabby says she feels truly honored to be a part of network of people that want to improve the quality of food that people have access to.
Gabby finds the most joy in spending time with her family and friends. When she needs some time to herself, she looks forward to doing some kind of art, reading, playing with her puppy and going on hikes.
If she could only eat one kind of food for the rest of her life, Gabby says: “I would choose salmon!”
Peace Madimutsa is a Zimbabwean visionary, currently working as a Senior Associate for Avant Energy. When he worked in affordable housing, Peace encountered multiple circumstances where VEAP’s assistance stepped in and saved countless families from consequences of poverty. He has since trusted VEAP to walk the talk; hence his keenness to be a part of running this engine and making it even better. He enjoys driving effective and tangible shifts in local community housing inequity through a humble organizational hand during his term.
Community lights this gentleman’s world in joy. Community through music, dance and sport. Peace is a gifted choreographer and performer, as well as volleyball player. He likes using these gifts to make impact and inspiration beyond space and time.
If he were stuck on an island Peace would choose a Zimbabwean chicken pie. “This delicacy comes as a juicy palm-sized pastry, stuffed with chicken and veggies. This means that I can constantly take it apart and remake it into any dish I feel like at any given point, versatility!”
Shannon McCormick is a Principal Marketing Associate with Medtronic, and works to develop and commercialize minimally invasive solutions for people with mitral valve disease. Shannon is a member of VEAP’s Board of Directors and serves as the liaison to the Associate Board. She felt compelled to join VEAP’s board because of her personal alignment to the mission and inclusivity of our organization. She is excited to be a part of an organization that has the infrastructure and resources to provide access to food, housing and supportive services to all.
Shannon enjoys spending time with her friends and family, including her baby daughter. She loves spending time out in nature, especially in environments where her two dogs can be off leash and roam.
If stuck on a desert island with unlimited access to one food, Shannon says: “I would choose ice cream – not only is it delicious, but it’ll provide me the necessary fats to survive in such a barren environment!”
Qi Meng works as a Senior Operations Development Manager at Digi-Key Electronics. Qi considers himself a global citizen: American by choice, Chinese by birth. He enjoys pioneering new ideas, and learning and creating with others. He was initially drawn to VEAP because of our value and mission and has volunteered in the pantry in the past. He likes working and engaging with VEAP’s various teams and adding value where he can.
When not working, Qi enjoys spending time with his family and friends, especially outside in nature. He loves food, cooking and travel. His favorite American travel and food show is Parts Unknown.
Tyler Othen is a destination planning consultant for Conventions, Sports and Leisure International. As part of his career, Tyler has assisted communities and developers on more than 120 projects related to convention center, hotel, tourism and sports facility development. He is a member of VEAP’s Associate Board to provide his expertise with strategic planning and marketing, and looks forward to broadening the reach of the organization’s volunteer base and visibility.
Tyler enjoys writing and performing music with his band, No Countries, and loves to work out and travel with his free time.
If he were stuck on a deserted island with access to only one food, Tyler would choose the Crispy Chicken Burger from My Burger as his forever meal.
