The Open Door Pantry

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Meet Our Staff

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Meet the staff of The Open Door, find their contact information and learn a little about each of them.

Jason Viana

Executive Director

Phone: 612-390-5613

Email: jasonv@theopendoorpantry.org

A Bit about Jason

I am a transplant from Alabama who now lives in Burnsville with my wife Nicola and our two awesome little boys.  When I am not working with our Open Door team, I spend most of my time with my family.  I love mountain biking, downhill skiing, hiking, and annually rediscovering my humility by running obstacle races.

I have a complete mancrush on Malcolm Gladwell and am a devoted reader and listener of his work.  I am also a huge fan of Freakonomics, The Uncertain Hour, and more podcasts than I should mention.

Deanna Baisch

Client Services Manager

Phone: o: 651-605-2887 | c: 651-368-1315

Email: deannab@theopendoorpantry.org

A Bit about Deanna

As a wife and mother of two kids, I spend most of my free time with family. Other interests include playing volleyball with a team of close friends, ice skating, reading, and volunteering at church.  I consider myself very blessed to play a small part in feeding hungry people every day!

Adam Hoffman

Mobile Food Program Manager

Phone: o: 651-605-2891 | c: 651-368-0361

Email: adamh@theopendoorpantry.org

A Bit about Adam

I live in Apple Valley with my wife Elischéba (pronounced, Alicia-ba). We love to travel and meet people from all over the world and learn about how they live life and try their food. I come from an outdoor guide/outdoor educator background where I guided trips on Lake Superior and the Mississippi River for about 8 years after college.

Veronica Lind

Volunteer Services Manager

Phone: 651-358-4003

Email: veronica@theopendoorpantry.org

A Bit about Veronica

Having a background in public health and volunteer management, The Open Door allows me to combine two of my passions. I love supporting volunteers who are providing fresh, healthy food to those in need every day. In my free time, I enjoy running and hiking in Lebanon Hills with my husband and dog.​

Alpa Goswami

Garden To Table Manager

Phone: 651-600-9244

Email: alpag@theopendoorpantry.org

A Bit about Alpa

I have a biology degree with the chemistry minor. I have worked as a botanist as well as in marketing and nonprofit management and am a yoga/Barre instructor. In my free time I like to garden, do yoga, and dance. I am a mother of 2 and I am owned by 2 cats.

Melissa Miller

Development and Communications Manager

Phone: 651-888-0630

Email: melissa.miller@theopendoorpantry.org

A Bit about Melissa

I’m joining The Open Door from a long background in the world of nonprofit arts! I carry a bachelors and masters in Theatre Education and love to get out to shows in the Twin Cities. I live in Hopkins with my partner Nathan. We spend a lot of our free time exploring Minnesota by bike! I’m also a crossword-puzzle enthusiast, avid hiker, and absolute foodie. I’m excited to get to contribute to the mission of The Open Door and get food into the hands of those that need it!​

Kris Albright

Finance Manager

Phone: 651-368-4785

Email: krisa@theopendoorpantry.org

A Bit about Kris

I’m a daughter, a wife, and a mother. I am very active in my church and lead everything from bible study to soccer camps. My husband and I love beagles. I have been walking beagles through my neighborhood for 27 years and I am known as the ‘Beagle Lady” to my neighbors.

Wendy O’Brien

Pantry Manager

Phone: 651-686-0787

Email: wendy@theopendoorpantry.org

A Bit about Wendy

I recently moved back to the Twin Cities and returned to The Open Door, after having lived out West for the last couple of years.  It is so good to be home and part of a team dedicated to supporting our neighbors.  With a background in nutrition, it is important to me to remain committed to providing healthy food options.  In my spare time I enjoy cooking, reading, walking my dog, practicing yoga and any opportunity to travel.  I am a very proud mom, willing to drop anything to spend time with my son and two daughters!

Mikell Melius

Communications Specialist

Phone: 952-207-3280

Email: mikell@theopendoorpantry.org

A Bit about Mikell

I am a Minnesota native, hailing from the little town of Winthrop. I graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a degree in journalism and communications. I moved out west for a handful of years, living in Montana and Colorado, before coming home and landing in St. Paul.

Communications, writing, and community engagement work have always been present in the roles I’ve held. Whether as a journalist, outreach specialist, wilderness guide, or a server/bartender, engaging with people, and my community, has always been an important part of my journey. I am honored to continue on that path by sharing the incredible mission of The Open Door.

When not fulfilling my role as Communications Specialist, I enjoy gardening, cooking, drinking lots and lots of coffee, snowboarding, backpacking, travel, snuggles with my dog Jerry and spending time with my enormous family.​

Lisa Wendt

Events and Community Engagement Lead

Phone: 651-302-9528

Email: lisa.wendt@theopendoorpantry.org

A Bit about Lisa

I joined the team after volunteering for many years and helping implement the composting and recycling program at the Eagan Pantry in 2016. The Open Door’s mission to provide fresh, healthy food has always resonated with my belief that a healthy mind and body benefits everyone in a community, a value that started with my bachelors degree in Nutrition.

Prior to joining The Open Door, I ran my own Professional Organizing business for 22 years and no, my spices are not alphabetized. My free time includes hiking, snowshoeing, cooking, supporting local restaurants, traveling, and savoring lots of dark chocolate.

Angela Steenberg

Development Associate

Phone: 651-888-0630

Email: angela@theopendoorpantry.org

A Bit about Angela

As a 30+ year resident of Eagan, I am thrilled to have found a career where I can give back to my community.  Besides being a wife and mom, I am a self-described tree hugger, animal lover, theatre buff, foodie, and social justice advocate.  I love to travel, read, hang out with friends and family, play with my dog Gladys, and spend time on the North Shore.

Tony Vannicola

Community Relations Officer

Phone: 651-529-0198

Email: tony@theopendoorpantry.org

A Bit about Tony

I am a semi-retired, former investment management business development & marketing executive. I live in Eagan with my wife Colleen, a St. Paul native. My free time includes visiting our two grown kids, traveling, rooting for MNUFC, and trying local eateries.

PS Got partnership ideas? Let’s connect.

Sara Garcia

Mobile Food Program Coordinator

Phone: o: 651-605-2891 | c: 612-398-3406

Email: sara.garcia@theopendoorpantry.org

A Bit about Sara

I’m originally from Eagan, and a 2019 Mankato State graduate. In my free time I love going to concerts of any genre, hiking around Lebanon Hills, going to the gym, and hanging with my 2 cats Cheeto and Frida! I am so happy to be a part of an amazing organization, working to end hunger within the community I grew up in!

Sean Danaher

Client Services Coordinator

Phone: 651-358-1217

Email: sean@theopendoorpantry.org

A Bit about Sean

I am a Stillwater native, a lawyer by training and a football (aka soccer) fanatic. My career has provided me with broad experience in business and legal technology, but my true passion is serving others. What do I like most about working at The Open Door? Easy, my passion and my job are now one and the same.

When I am not working, I spend my time camping, cooking, traveling, birding, gardening and chasing my daughters around. I live in Eagan with my wonderful wife Becky and our two lovely daughters.

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3910 Rahn Road Eagan, MN 55122 | Phone Number 651-686-0787

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