Ruthi Solari
Founder and CEO
Ruthi found inspiration for SuperFood Drive after reading Dr. Steven Pratt’s book, “SuperFoods Rx” which opened her eyes to the health benefits of specific nutrient dense SuperFoods. Then in January 2009 while at a “Food as Medicine” conference sponsored by the Center for Mind Body Medicine, Ruthi decided she wanted to ensure that SuperFoods were accessible to all individuals, even if they cannot afford fresh produce each week. In June 2009 SuperFood Drive was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Ruthi is the Nutrition Education Program Specialist for the County of San Diego’s Department of Health and Human Services. Her work includes nutrition education for CalFresh (food stamp) populations and community engagement in increasing the accessibility to healthy food in low-income neighborhoods.
Ruthi is a Certified Nutritionist through the Natural Healing Institute of Naturopathy in San Diego, CA and is currently completing her Masters in Mind-Body Medicine through Saybrook University. Ruthi has worked as a Health Coach in the areas of Weight Management, Tobacco Cessation and Mind-Body skills for individuals nation-wide and she brings her knowledge of behavior modification to the implementation of SuperFood Drive: small changes in how we eat can create large changes in overall health and well being.
Ruthi has traveled extensively though Southeast Asia, India, Kenya, South and Central America, Europe and parts of the Middle East gaining insight and experience into the healthy lifestyle practices of many cultures. Ruthi’s interests include yoga, cooking healthy foods, hiking, cycling, rock-climbing and running in the outdoors with her husband and friends.
Favorite SuperFood: Blueberries – packed full of antioxidants and so delicious!
Rebecca Cofinas
Corporate Vice President of Clinical Support Services, Scripps Health
Rebecca Cofinas is a Corporate Vice President for Clinical Support Services for Scripps Health. In this role, Rebecca has system responsibility for Neurosciences, Endoscopy, Respiratory Therapy, Cath Lab, Cardiac Rehab, Sleep Lab, Executive Health / Wellness, and Palliative Care.
Throughout her career, Rebecca Cofinas has been in leadership positions in the health care community, spending from 2001 to the present in both administrative and project management roles for Scripps Health. Previous roles in the health care field have included strategic planning and consulting in the areas of mission, vision and strategy development, medical staff recruitment, market and competitor profiles, utilization and financial assessments and tracking, marketing and more.
Ms. Cofinas was the previous Chief Operating Officer for Scripps Green Hospital and Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas. In these roles she has had extensive experience in overseeing critical hospital functions, including surgery, oncology, imaging, endoscopy, physical therapy, weight management, supply chain management, biomed, security, engineering, food services and housekeeping.
Cofinas has a Masters in Public Administration, with a concentration in Health Care Administration. She received her Masters degree from Roosevelt University, IL, with high honors after receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois. She is also a current Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and pursuing a graduate fellowship through the Advisory Board.
In her spare time, Ms. Cofinas leads a women’s group focused on environmental concerns, gardens, practices yoga and spends time with her husband and two young children.
Maureen Polimadei
Maureen Polimadei has more than 15 years experience in the non-profit sector. She is currently the Anti-Hunger Network Manager at the San Diego Hunger Coalition (SDHC), a local non-profit dedicated to improving access to and participation in federal food programs. She spent six years at the San Diego Food Bank, managing vital relationships with major corporate donors, large-scale volunteer groups, partner charities and other important community groups, as well as individual donors and volunteers. Fundraising activities included grant writing, direct mail, gift acknowledgement, event sponsorship and management of the online food drive. Previous experience includes working with major donors at The Salvation Army and assisting with fund development and community relations at University of San Diego High School.
Maureen currently serves on the University City High School Booster Club, and is a former Advisory Board member of the USD American Humanics, and the San Diego Friends of Parks and Recreation Foundation.
Eric Span
Food Services Manager, Sweetwater Union High School District
Eric is currently the Food Service Manager for the Sweetwater Union High School District. Prior to this, he worked for five years at the San Ysidro School District as a consultant to the Child Nutrition Department.
He is a graduate of Washburne Trade School’s culinary arts program in Chicago, Illinois. He has been in food service for 25 years working in a variety of disciplines. He has extensive experience in hotel and restaurants and the last 9 years has been in school food service. His passion is making sure great tasting and nutritious foods are served to our students. While at San Ysidro School district, he was involved in starting two gardens and helping to foster community awareness regarding health eating.
In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, gardening and spending time with his wife and two sons.
Megan Spurling
Wellness Program Coordinator, Sharp HealthCare
Megan Spurling is the Wellness Program Coordinator for Sharp HealthCare. Her role includes the implementation and organization of wellness classes, challenges and events, and acts as the primary liaison between Sharp HealthCare and Sharp Health Plan on issues related to employee wellness. She received a Bachelors degree in Health Science from the University of North Florida, and received her certification as a Health Education Professional in 2008. Prior to her role as Sharp’s Wellness Program Coordinator, Ms. Spurling was a Health Education Specialist in Northeast Florida for four years, providing resources and education to rural and medically underserved populations.
Lisa Vandervort, MA, RD, CLE
Manager of the City Heights Wellness Center
Lisa E. Vandervort is a Registered Dietitian (RD) who earned a Bachelors Degree in Nutritional Sciences with a concentration in Education from the University of New York; her post grad work was done in San Diego, and received her Masters degree in Education. She has over 30 years experience and has worked with a variety of culturally diverse populations, both developing and implementing nutrition service programs.
Lisa is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (previously the American Dietetic Association). Her experience has spanned both clinical nutrition and community health and wellness. As a young girl Lisa was diagnosed with irritable bowl syndrome, which prompted her desire in nutrition. Starting out as a hospital RD she learned that her true passion was in working in disease prevention and wellness. Her motivation to continue learning about alternatives for optimal health has expanded her knowledge for the body as a whole. Lisa’s idea of wellness and disease prevention cannot be obtained by just proper nutrition; it also takes a series of lifestyle changes.
Lisa currently serves as a board member for the City Heights Business Association, and is co-chair for the Food Justice Momentum Team. As co-chair she strongly supports and is an advocate for eliminating disparities and inequities related to Food Justice.
Lisa loves the outdoors and in her spare time can be found riding one of her horses, her first passion.
