About Our Organization

Activate Food Arizona is a non-profit “Do Tank” that develops and deploys innovative solutions to food system challenges to help communities improve their access to healthy, affordable food.  

Our goal is work with community members to create an equitable food system that provides all communities access to healthy, affordable food to help everyone reach their highest potential.
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Farm Express Markets

Rural Food Access

Food Access Trainings

In The News

​For media inquiries, contact Elyse Guidas at elyse@activatefoodaz.org. 

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Meet Our Team

ELYSE GUIDAS

Executive Director

CASEY HOPKINS

Program Manager

ALISA LYONS

Administrative Consultant

Elyse Guidas' public health work experience includes urban planning and health policy development, program management and evaluation, and now, community and local food system development. As Executive Director of Activate Food Arizona, she provides strategic leadership for program staff and works alongside local and regional partners to create a vibrant, thriving food system in Arizona. Email her at elyse@activatefoodaz.org.

Casey Hopkins began working in food and food justice as a farm worker on several small-scale organic farms in California and Arizona. Agriculture led to a passion for cooking, which began an almost decade-long career as a pastry chef and program manager for a variety of restaurants and cafés. As Program Manager of Farm Express, Casey blends her experience from many different facets of the modern food system to benefit Farm Express communities. Email her at casey@activatefoodaz.org.

Alisa Lyons's industry expertise includes workforce and economic development, higher education, including university and community college policy, and commercial real estate development advocacy. On behalf of Activate Food Arizona and the Farm Express program, Alisa provides leadership support and administrative oversight to organization management and staff. Email her at alisa@activatefoodaz.org. 

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Board of Directors

Lloyd Ramsey, Board Chair
Global Engineering Leader, DLR Group

Sara Dial, Board Treasurer
Principal, Sara Dial & Associates

Jennifer Holsman-Tetreault
Assistant General Counsel, Field Operations, West and Northwest, US Foods

Dr. Christine Bracamonte Wiggs
Director, Community Development & Health Advancement, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

Dr. Charlton Wilson
Chief Medical Officer, MercyCare