Staff
The Metro Team is dedicated to “learning, connecting and engaging to achieve Healthy People and Healthy Places.” Our bilingual staff reflects the multicultural landscape of the San Joaquin Valley and showcases a diverse set of backgrounds, including city planning, community organizing, environmental justice, community food systems, public relations and communications.
Administration
Keith Bergthold
Position: Executive Director
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“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.” ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
Chanel Ruiz-Mendez
Position: Deputy Director
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"I’m proud to be a part of a team that believes in our community and recognizes that EVERYONE has skills, knowledge and passions to contribute. Metro’s vision for Fresno and the Valley is bright… I’m honored to be a part of this catalyst for change!"
Nora Chandara
Position: Fiscal and Operations Manager
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"Working for Metro allows me to practice my belief of self-empowerment… rather than giving people fish, I work toward teaching them how to fish."
Programs
Food to Share
Vue Vang
Position: Food to Share Lead Driver
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"I’m honored to be a part of the Fresno Metro Ministry team. I’m very proud of our vision to connect the community’s needs and passions to solutions for change."
Luis Hernandez
Position: Community Builder
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"I want to be a facilitator for change... My work at Metro allows me to do so and remind people that we have not reached our final frontier and we need to work together to push the envelope for a better Fresno."
Stacy Franklin
Position: Food to Share Driver
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"I am beyond grateful and honored to work for Metro. Being part of an organization that proactively reduces food waste to help create a healthier community is just incredible and so rewarding."
Chris DeLeon
Position: Community Gardens Coordinator
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"I'm excited to work for Metro because the mission resonates with my personal vision for our community. I am committed to addressing community health in Fresno and truly believe that hunger and food insecurity can be greatly reduced through education, community building, and empowering community members."
Nevai Torres
Position: Food to Share Driver
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"I am so happy to be part Fresno Metro Ministry… Every day I get to contribute to the community and help improve our environment.."
Amber Donat
Position: Project Coordinator
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"I am so grateful to join a team that puts community needs at the heart of everything we do. I want to see Fresno as not only sustaining, but as regenerative; being a part of Metro means active involvement towards that goal."
Better Blackstone Initiatives
Belinda Gonzalez Diaz
Position: Better Blackstone Project Coordinator
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"I love Fresno! Working for Metro gives me the opportunity to use the passion I have for this city and my experience in building relationships to coordinate projects that work to improve the environmental, economic and social health of our community."
Community Engagement
Christian Gonzalez
Position: Project Coordinator
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"I’m excited to join in the great work Metro does, to build bridges in our community and amplify the voices of the unheard. In the words of the Prophet Jeremiah, ‘we work and pray for the well-being of our city,’ or neighborhood, trusting that if the entire community does well and prospers, then we will also prosper."
Lee Her
Position: Project Coordinator
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"I am excited to join a team that is passionate and committed to working with the community. What I love about Metro’s efforts is that we incorporate developing space for individuals and groups to co-create the change they envision."