IMMOKALEE — Both Taste of Immokalee and its nonprofit entrepreneurship program, Taste the Impact, welcome new board members and the additional skills and experiences needed for continued growth.

“The diversity of experiences that is represented in our Board has been such an asset over the years,” said executive director, Marie Capita. “Our board members have been pivotal in guiding Taste of Immokalee’s growth, such as the distribution of our products in retail locations including Publix stores throughout Florida, and most recently in establishing our nonprofit, Taste the Impact, to support our youth entrepreneurship program.”

“We are excited to expand with additional talents that will not only benefit the commerce side of the business but will also help us to develop corporate relationships in order to open more professional internship opportunities for our students and raise the funding that is critical to our success,” shared Capita.

For the first time in the program’s history, Taste of Immokalee founders are among the new board members. Both Elizabeth Martinez and Dulce Mendoza represent what the Taste of Immokalee initiative is all about.

“Elizabeth and Dulce were both raised in the impoverished community of Immokalee, and both have successfully broken that cycle of poverty and flourished in professional careers,” said Capita. “Their unique appreciation for the value and potential of Taste of Immokalee to change lives will help us to continually find innovative ways to provide more students with the foundational skills needed to be successful in career paths.”

New Taste of Immokalee Board Members
Taste of Immokalee is a social business created and operated by students. High school students gain real business experience using local resources to create and sell products, with 100% of profits going to charity through our nonprofit, Taste the Impact.

• Elizabeth Martinez is one of the founders of Taste of Immokalee. She earned her B.A. degree in Business Administration from Arcadia University and has since excelled in her Human Resources career. Along with her unique perspective as a TOI founder, Elizabeth brings strengths to the Board including communications, HR, and a keen ability to evaluate and transform processes.

New Taste the Impact Board Members
Taste the Impact is the nonprofit entrepreneurship program that offers underserved high school students the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship through exposure to the Taste of Immokalee business. Students gain the business, technical, and soft skills needed to succeed in today’s workforce.

• Russell Beckner leads the team of advisors for PNC Private Bank and Hawthorn Family Office in Naples, FL. Russell’s experience in the financial sector, his expertise in wealth management, and his passion for the community combine to bring additional value to the Board.

• Dulce Mendoza is one of the founders of the Taste of Immokalee. She received her Master’s Degree in Public Health from John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her analytical skills and experiences in the public sector will be valuable additions to the Board.

• Robert Almond, Sr. founded and grew NEST into an industry-leading provider of Integrated Facilities Management solutions. His tremendous business acumen and leadership skills with be an asset to the organization’s ability to expand.

• Alex Breault is Director of Talent Initiatives at the Greater Naples Chamber. Alex is the Chair of the Future Ready Collier College & Career Success Goal Group where her involvement in finding internship opportunities for high school students in the community will be of great value to the organization.

These new members join the existing boards of Taste of Immokalee and Taste the Impact. Learn more about Taste of Immokalee, or purchase products including the new subscription boxes, by visiting the website at tasteofimmokalee.com