David B. Waters, CEO
With over 30 years of experience in the food industry, David has been involved with Community Servings since its founding in 1990 as a home-delivered meals program for individuals and families ill with HIV/AIDS. For the past 19 years, the agency has grown from feeding 30 individuals in Roxbury and Dorchester, to over 725 in 16 communities in and around Greater Boston.
As General Manager at UpStairs at the Pudding Restaurant in Harvard Square, David helped build a coalition of Boston restaurateurs to assist the newly founded agency with fundraising and public relations. In 1990, he joined the Board of Directors and helped to create the LifeSavor and Pie in the Sky fundraising events that have won "Best of Boston" awards and become annual traditions in the Boston area, raising over $900,000 each year. In 1996, he came to Community Servings full-time, serving in a variety of capacities before becoming the Executive Director in 1999.
Under his leadership, the agency has expanded its mission to feed those with other acute, life-threatening illnesses, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, amyothrophic lateral sclerosis and liver disease. Community Servings has also introduced a food service job training program and nutrition education classes for its clients who become well enough to leave the program and for members of the community. The agency has also taken a leadership role and partnered with the Association of Nutrition Services Agencies in reaching out to Ikamva Labantu, an agency struggling to provide nutrition support in fighting AIDS in South Africa.
Brad Stevens, Executive Chef
With a degree in biochemistry, Brad caught the cooking bug early on and now has 27 years experience in food service environments ranging from universities and hospitals to some of Boston's most respected restaurants. He initially was the kitchen supervisor at the original Michela's restaurant hin Cambridge, but went on to be the Executive Chef for Papa Razzi restaurants, prior to joining Todd English at The Olive Group where he served as Corporate Executive Chef for the Figs chain of restaurants for ten years.
For a change of pace, he moved on to The Food Project, a non-profit which brings together youth, community and food through sustainable agriculture. In addition to developing a successful catering business for the agency, he also developed a culinary curriculum for youth meshing entrepreneurship, food service and local farming.
His exceptional food service background coupled with his teaching abilities made him the perfect leader for Community Servings' meals program, working with staff and volunteers to prepare appealing, nutritious meals for our clients each day.
Rosario Dominguez, Vice President of Programs
Rosario Dominguez came to Community Servings in 2004 as our Director of Programs, overseeing nutrition, client services and volunteer services, as well as our popular Holiday Basket Program. She also handles all the reporting and outcome measurements for our state and federal contracts. Together with her staff, she manages the provision of services and support to our 725 clients and our 4000+ volunteers on an annual basis.
Rosario brings a wealth of experience and know-how to Community Servings and our Program Department. A bilingual Chilean immigrant, Rosario grew up in the Boston area and graduated from Harvard's Kennedy School MPA program. She comes to us with over ten years of leadership experience, designing and managing programs serving children and families with such agencies as Communities United, Inc. of Waltham and the Dorchester Youth Collaborative.
Carolyn Smith, Client Services Coordinator
Carolyn Smith came to us in October 1999 as a van driver, and for almost five years was in constant contact with our clients, experiencing first-hand what it means to be ill and homebound with AIDS. When the Client Service Coordinator position opened up in 2004, Carolyn's skills and personality made her a natural fit for the position. Initially, many of her delivery customers were sad to find out they were not going to see her every day, but she remains in constant contact with all of our clients over the phone, working out issues, taking new client intakes and making sure all of our clients are well fed.
Community Servings is a true family affair for Carolyn Smith. Her mom, Ms. Virginia and sister have worked here as well. Carolyn also met her husband, Bobcat, a van driver, at Community Servings. They married in 2003. Carolyn is a native of the Boston area and her previous jobs include being a medical transcriber and residential counselor.
Christopher Muhammad, Director of Operations
Brother Christopher came to Community Servings in 1994 with a background in the military as well as extensive food service experience. He started with us as a volunteer, then became a pot washer before being promoted to delivery driver, and then to delivery coordinator. Over the years, Christopher has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the mission, always going above and beyond to ensure our hungry clients receive their meals each day.
Through his leadership, we have never missed a delivery day! In recognition of his excellent work and dedication, Brother Christopher was promoted to Director of Operations in 2005. He also plays an active role in his mosque, Muhammad's Mosque of Islam located in Roxbury which has been a key element of his personal development, and his desire to give back to those in need in the community.
Tim Leahy, Vice President of Development and Communications
Tim joined the staff of Community Servings in August of 1999. He is responsible for all fundraising for the agency and works with the Board, staff, and individual donors and corporate and foundation partners to acquire the resources we need to provide our services. He received a BA in English & Economics from UMASS Boston.
Tim brings a unique perspective to his position at Community Servings, a blend of for-profit sales and an intimate knowledge of food service and several years work in non-profits. After 16 years in the food service industry, from ice cream parlor to fine dining, and six years of sales & marketing with the world's largest Macintosh computer show, he transitioned to the non-profit development field. Tim has long been a passionate supporter of HIV/AIDS & hunger-relief causes, volunteering for a number of organizations. After years of working in the private sector, Tim chose to dedicate his efforts to nonprofit development. Before coming to C.S. in 1999 Tim served for two years as the Director of Development for the Boston Salvation Army and for three years at the United Way of Dutchess County, NY.