Board of Directors Slate 2026-27

Note: Some positions on this year’s board will be held by co-chairs. For those roles, you are voting to approve the full slate as presented, including both individuals serving together in a shared position.

President: Cary Kelly

Cary Kelly is a native of the DMV and opened The Cookery, A Culinary Marketplace in Arlington, Virginia, in 2010, growing the business to four stores representing artisan kitchen goods. Prior to that, she had an executive coaching and leadership training practice for over a decade focusing on women executives and nonprofit leaders. Cary has retired from retail and focuses her passion on food writing and surrounding her table with friends in her new home in Fells Point, Baltimore.

First Vice President, Membership: Marcia Friedman

Marcia Friedman is the author of two cookbooks, Meatballs and Matzah Balls: Recipes and Reflections from a Jewish and Italian Life and The Essential Jewish Cookbook. Her writing, recipes, tips, and quotes have been featured in such media as The Washington Post, NPR, Tablet Magazine, and MarthaStewart.com, and her recipes have been included in two best-selling cookbooks by the Monday Morning Cooking Club.

Co-Second Vice Presidents Education: Avery Meetre

Avery Meetre is a communications and public relations strategist with expertise in food & beverage, travel, and mission-driven hospitality. As Vice President at LRA PR, she leads client campaigns for brands such as Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Atlas Brew Works, and the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, while also overseeing agency talent development. A past president of the International Foodservice Editorial Council and a current advisor for Women in Restaurant Leadership, Avery is also an Epilepsy Awareness Ambassador. Her recognitions include IFEC’s 2023 TerrIFECer Award and FSR Magazine’s 2022 40-under-40 list.

Co-Second Vice Presidents Education: Kristen Schott

Kristen Schott is an award-winning journalist with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. She is the deputy editor of lifestyle for Philadelphia magazine, where she leads the publication’s service-oriented travel, retail, fashion, and design coverage, as well as the annual Best of Philly feature—which she co-edits. Concurrently, she is the editorial director of Philadelphia Wedding magazine, Philly Mag’s ancillary wedding publication. She previously served as editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury DC magazine and Modern Luxury Weddings Washington.

Second Vice President Development/Fundraising: Mel Gold

Mel Gold has been part of the DC hospitality and beverage community for nearly 25 years as a communications professional. Since joining our chapter in 2024, Mel has tapped into her experience in event planning, nonprofit fundraising, and marketing [she knows sponsorship!] as a member of the Grants Committee as well as last year's Symposium.

Co-Treasurer: Michele Jacobs

Michèle E. Jacobs is an event management professional. During her thirty years as Managing Director and COO of Special Events at Union Station, she oversaw a business with repeated annual sales of $8-$11 million and the successful implementation of hundreds of memorable occasions celebrated in the historic venue. She formed her eponymous LLC in 2017 and is delighted to maintain working relationships with many clients who continue to value her experience and counsel. She is honored to have served as a past Chapter President.

Co-Treasurer: Rebecca Cagle

Rebecca Cagle is sommelier and beverage director. With her family background in financial management and investments, she is excited to share her expertise with our chapter and its mission. Rebecca looks forward to getting more involved, and helping to grow the chapter's financial abilities. She became a Dame in 2025 and quickly signed up for the Financial Committee.

Recording Secretary: Laura Kumin

Laura is a food writer, teacher and cooking coach. She is the author of two books that deal with the intersection of food and history: The Hamilton Cookbook: Cooking, Eating and Entertaining in Hamilton’s World and All Stirred Up: Suffrage Cookbooks, Food and the Battle for Women’s Right to Vote. She is now working on a third book, With Recipes and Justice for All: A DC Voting Rights Cookbook. Laura is also the founder of the blog, Mother Would Know, which helps home cooks become more confident and creative in the kitchen.

Co-Communications Officer: Peggy Cormary

Peggy Cormary, a freelance commercial photographer who was born in France and brings 10 years of experience in food and interior photography on an international scale—including her time spent living in Brazil. She has actively worked to elevate chefs' creations with her unique visual style and aims to highlight each dish's aesthetic appeal and nutritional benefits through her work. Her photography is about telling stories, evoking emotion and promoting healthy eating.

Co-Communications Officer: Leslie Frelow

Leslie Frelow is the founder of Vino 301 Wine Concierge and The Wine Concierge, two ventures dedicated to expanding access, education, and inclusion in the wine industry. After building Maryland’s largest regional wine tour company, she launched The Wine Concierge to spotlight wines by Black, women, and minority winemakers— “dismantling the wine world’s traditional gatekeeping” through direct sourcing and community building. Leslie also created the Winemaker’s Playbook summit to support emerging wine entrepreneurs. She holds WSET Level 2 certification and serves in multiple industry and community leadership roles. Leslie joined our chapter in 2025.

Director: Danielle Cook

Danielle Cook, MS, ROHP is a culinary educator, holistic nutrition professional, cookbook author and presenter. She has been presenting cooking demonstrations in the Washington, DC area for over 20 years. She is the founder and director of Happily Hungry, a nutrition program for children affected by cancer and chronic illness. Currently she runs her program at the Children’s Inn at NIH in Bethesda, MD, and serves as Head of Operation, Teaching Kitchen Program for NIH’s Office of Nutrition Research (ONR). Born and reared in France, Danielle maintains strong connections to the country that taught her at a young age about the importance of loving seasonal ingredients. She co-chairs our chapter’s Green Tables Committee, and has been a Dame since 2024.

Director: Christi Tyson-Dorsey

Christi Tyson Dorsey is the founder of Taste Symmetry Consulting LLC, a boutique food consulting firm specializing in regulatory compliance, food safety, and business development for emerging CPG brands. She brings nearly 30 years’ experience spanning public health nutrition, supply chain management, and federal program leadership.She has volunteered with DC MADA, DC Start-Up, the Black Women In Food Summit Planning Committee, and Cherry Bombe's Jubilee. She currently mentors farmer-producers through the Chesapeake Agricultural Innovation Center throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Within the Les Dames DC Chapter, Christi serves as Co-Chair of the Membership Committee. She became a Dame in 2025.

Director: Janis McLean

Janis McLean is General Manager and Chef at Sound Bites Café, NPR’s inhouse staff café run by Seasons Culinary Services. A graduate of L’Acadamie de Cuisine, she has spent 20+ years in top DC restaurants (Morrison-Clark Inn, Red Sage, Caucus Room et al) and has been fortunate to have strong women mentors, including Anne Willan and Susan McCreight Lindeborg. Janis is a proud and active member of Les Dames d’ Escoffier, joining in 2000 and serving on a number of committees since then, including positions as Director, Recording Secretary and 1st VP. She is a current co-chair of the Scholarship Committee.

Director: Maru Valdes

Maru Valdes is the founder of MV Collective, a D.C.-based PR firm reshaping how hospitality, lifestyle, and mission-driven brands command attention. Named Latina Entrepreneur of the Year (2024) and leading PR Boutique Agency of 2025, Maru brings over two decades of global influence, spanning leading international organizations, hospitality brands, and nonprofits, into bold, culture-driven storytelling. Former head of communications for ThinkFoodGroup, she helped amplify Chef José Andrés’ global impact. Deeply rooted in the industry, she is also a partner in Colada Shop, Michelin-starred Bresca, and Elegancia, building brands that don’t just show up, but stand out. She became a Dame in 2017.

Alternate Director: Wendy Nevitt Bazil

Wendy Nevett Bazil is currently pursuing a doctorate in Urban and Regional Planning and Design at the University of Maryland, College Park. She’s an inactive attorney and formerly worked as a cooking teacher and recipe developer. She is a longtime volunteer in food systems policy and advocacy, including sitting on the Board of non-profit organizations in that space. Her academic research combines law and food systems, focusing on how agricultural zoning and land use impact land tenure for historically marginalized farmers. She is a member of the Governance Committee and a past member of the Grants Committee.