Brielle is always on the move, whether traveling the country to tell others about SEMTAC’s free services, helping grocers navigate the SNAP Online application process, or visiting her local farmers’ market. In fact, it was at a farmers’ market where Brielle, years ago, discovered her love for helping people who provide us our food. Before joining NGAF, Brielle worked at The Food Trust, managing a large network of SNAP EBT Farmers Markets and providing technical assistance to other farmers market networks, farmers, small food businesses, community organizations, and public schools in the Greater Philadelphia Area.
When she’s out and about, Brielle applies what she’s learned from others to ensure that SEMTAC’s services are helpful, relevant, and efficient for the grocers they support.
Kari has worked on food access and food security issues throughout her career, beginning with her first job, in which she helped evaluate SNAP for the federal government. Before SEMTAC, she led data management and analysis of programs at the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, which promotes increased access to nutritious foods and high-quality physical activity.
Applying her love of data analysis and evaluation to her work at SEMTAC, Kari ensures the team is on track to meet their goals, which, at their heart, are helping grocers navigate SNAP EBT modernization efforts effectively, from beginning to end. Kari deeply cares about SEMTAC’s mission, from her big backyard in her home state of Michigan, where she lives with her husband and her dog, to the East and West Coasts.
Gabby’s colleagues describe her as committed and intentional, qualities she embodies both in her work at SEMTAC and when she thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in 2021 and the Colorado Trail in 2023. Today, she connects with her love of nature and the food that it offers us through her work at SEMTAC.
Gabby comes to SEMTAC from the Food Trust, where she managed (alongside Brielle) a network of SNAP EBT farmers markets across Philadelphia for several years. Her commitment to exploration and continuous learning serves her well as she leads our outreach efforts and SEMTAC National Advisory Committee while consistently seeking ways to advocate for retailers. Her voice is the first retailers hear when reaching out for support in navigating the SNAP Online application process.
SEMTAC is grateful for the support of the National Grocers Association Foundation (NGAF), the 501(c)3 nonprofit arm of the National Grocers Association, which supports the future of the independent community grocer. Our partners there include:
Chelsea is an experienced project manager working in the grant and nonprofit space with a passion for the food industry. Before moving to Washington, D.C., she grew up in Ohio, gardening with her dad and cooking with her mom, hungry to learn all about the local farms, including how produce makes it from the earth to her neighborhood grocery stores.
Today, Chelsea oversees all programs of the NGA Foundation providing leadership, guidance, and strategy. She manages the Foundation’s budget, fundraising, and events. Prior to employment with NGA, Chelsea worked with the National Farmers Union and the consulting firm, Corner Alliance. She’s helped multiple organizations apply for and win their first federal grants and worked on multiple $4 million+ grants.
Kelly Hanson brings a breadth of experience working as a registered dietitian nutritionist in non-profit, government, and private settings. She leads the NGAF Technical Assistance center’s focus on nutrition incentive programs, while also supporting foundation program and initiatives overall. She has extensive experience overseeing and operating federal and private grant programs that intersect in the food, agriculture, and equity spaces.
The SEMTAC National Advisory Committee (SNAC) provides guidance and input for the SEMTAC project to ensure effective opportunities for retailer engagement with and adoption of online and mobile SNAP EBT processing. This committee is composed of stakeholders whose vast experiences strengthen SEMTAC’s ability to effectively engage retailers.
Serving with this SEMTAC National Advisory Committee is an opportunity to join community representatives and leaders in the fields of retail, technology, and public health to increase access to SNAP Online. In an industry dominated by large corporations, SNAC will play a role in shaping a SNAP Online onboarding process for small- and medium-sized retailers and consumers across the country.
