Some new faces, and one very familiar one!
Help us welcome Pharmacy Manager Umesh Chaudhary, Chief Development Officer Keith Richardson, and — back again because he couldn’t stay away, and we love him — Client Support Manager Juan Carlos Rivera!
At HHC, we’re lucky that our mission tends to bring in kind, compassionate, and driven folks who just want to help their community. Umesh, Keith, and Juan are all hitting the ground running to bring the agency to new heights with their care and expertise.
Originally from India, Umesh moved to the United States in 2001 to work for a company focused on developing antibodies against Anthrax. He decided he wanted to go into pharmacological work — earning a degree from the University of Florida — wanting to make a meaningful impact on patient care by working directly with individuals to improve their health and wellbeing.
Over the years, Umesh has gained extensive experience in hospital and clinical pharmacy, oncology, contract auditing, and compliance. He even successfully founded and ran his own pharmacy!
After Hurricane Helene, Umesh played a role in setting up a pharmacy at an emergency shelter and was part of the state's emergency response team. Over time, he realized he wanted to leave the hustle and bustle of the big city for a smaller community where he could give support to make a direct impact.
“Over the years, I have seen firsthand how inequitable healthcare can be,” Umesh said. “The Hunger and Health Coalition supports individuals who are often left behind due to various circumstances, and I wanted to be part of a team that truly makes a difference.”
Feeling a similar pull to work at HHC, Keith said the agency’s mission resonates deeply
with his belief that access to nutritious food is a fundamental human right.
Having grown up in Houston, TX, and received a bachelor's in political science from Baylor University, Keith likened his career trajectory to that of a philanthropy-themed road trip across Texas with a final stop in North Carolina. He brings more than 17 years of experience in nonprofit leadership to the agency with skills in fundraising, operations management, and strategic planning.
Keith has been operating as the Chief Operating Officer at The VanRoss Foundation, helping to implement operational policies, oversee budgeting processes, and collaborate with senior leadership to cultivate long-term strategies. He added that the reality of food disparity in North Carolina fuels his desire to contribute his skills and experience to HHC as the agency is dedicated to creating a healthier, hunger-free community.
Keith invites the community to “join us in building a future where access to nutritious food is a reality for everyone, regardless of income.”
Juan feels similarly, stating that the power for a community lies in collective action and shared purpose.
“Receiving and asking for help in times of need is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength,” Juan said. “As we all are part of the community we live in, when one community member suffers, we all suffer. Strength is in unity!”
Juan moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in 2004 when he enlisted in the U.S. military. He said the military gave him the opportunity to visit different places and meet various people, and opened his view of the world and the beauty that diversity provides. When he decided to pursue higher education, it was a psychology professor who introduced Juan to the idea of becoming a social worker. He later completed his Bachelor of Social Work at Appalachian State University.
Originally joining the HHC staff in February 2022 as the Outreach Coordinator, in Juan’s previous role he enjoyed interacting with different communities in the area and connecting them to HHC services. In this role he discovered a need for mental health services in Spanish, and subsequently briefly left the Hunger and Health Coalition to work for Stepping Stone of Boone as a substance use counselor, helping patients navigate their substance use and provided support during recovery.
Now rejoining the Hunger and Health Coalition staff in a social work role, Juan said it feels full circle to be back. He’ll be helping clients navigate available resources within the agency and the community as well as coordinating the care they need.
When not at work, you may find Umesh camping, mountain biking, playing chess, and studying economics; Keith might be binge watching psychological thriller tv shows, enjoying brunch on the weekends or spending time with family and friends; and you may find Juan hiking, riding his bike or spending time with his kids.
Whether you see them out and about or at the agency, give them a warm welcome as they embark on their journeys at HHC!
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