Meet the Team
Our passion starts young
Jonte Desire
Founder, President & Executive Director
Jonte has two bachelor's in Neuroscience and Biological Sciences and a minor in Black and Native anthropology from the University of Delaware. They founded Native Nourishment when they were 16 years old. Although their end goal is to be in pediatric neurocritical care, they are also passionate about nutrition as it affects many aspects of health, and is committed to collaborating with communities that are affected by food scarcity the most. They want to get a Doctorate of Medicine or Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine and a Masters of Public Health (MD/MPH)(DO/MPH) to give back to local Delaware and East Coast communities.
Amanda Mandatta
Founding Member, Secretary & Communications
Amanda is a recent University of Delaware alum, graduating with a Bachelor's in Sociology with a concentration in Social Welfare. Amanda’s passions are centered around helping others and promoting positivity and humanity throughout the world. Native Nourishment was the perfect initiative to continue and expand her work within the social welfare field. Amanda continued her work in helping diverse communities by serving as the Vice President of UNICEF @UD, a chapter of the United Nations Children’s Fund during her last year at the University of Delaware.
Sierra RyanWallick
Co-Founder
Sierra is a social entrepreneurship major at the University of Delaware and has founded and organized multiple social ventures. Sierra is also passionate about supporting Native communities.
Chief Natosha Carmine
Cultural Advisor
Chief Natosha Carmine was born and raised in Sussex County Delaware and is currently serving her 3rd consecutive term as the first female Chief of the Nanticoke Indian Association of Delaware. After graduating from Sussex Central High School, Chief Carmine attended Goldey Beacom College in Wilmington, Delaware, and has had a long and successful career as a Paralegal. Interestingly, Chief Carmine’s Native name is “Weaver of the Web” and like the industrious spider she is always busy; doing, giving, helping, supporting, listening and sharing knowledge, insight, faith and love with anyone who happens to be in need. In her free time, which isn’t very often, Chief Carmine enjoys spending time with her husband of 30+ years, as well as her daughter and grandchildren in the peaceful tranquility of her homestead in Millsboro, Delaware.
Gil Johnson
Cultural Advisor
Gil is a Delaware native and a graduate of Sussex Central High School in Georgetown, Delaware. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware and has been employed by UD for over 28 years. Gil currently serves as the Senior Associate Director of the University Student Centers, and over the past 3 decades, he has served as an adviser, mentor and friend to countless students, student organizations and colleagues. Gil is also a lifelong member of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe where he formerly served as Lead Dancer at their annual Powwow and other Native American cultural events.
Brandon McFadden
Agribusiness & Economics Advisor
Brandon is an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Economics and Statistics at the University of Delaware. His research program is focused on using behavioral and experimental economics to better understand consumer decision-making. He joined Native Nourishment because he believes that access to a nutrient-rich diet is necessary for the development and sustainability of a community.
Caroline May
Agriculture Education and Outreach Chair
Caroline is a University of Delaware graduate who is passionate about the intersections of community health and agriculture. She has observed from her many seasons working on vegetable farms the disconnect between people and their food. Now as a graduate student in the Master's of Agricultural Economics at the University of Delaware, she continues to study the dynamic relationships between food, farms, people, and our economy. Caroline is enthusiastic to support Native Nourishment in their goals to alleviate food insecurity within Native American tribes. She is passionate to assist in initiatives to empower Native community members with food sovereignty.
Devan Just
Treasurer
Devan is a current graduate student in the Masters of Public Administration program at the University of Delaware, where she studies how to effectively manage and grow organizations in the way of community and educational outreach. She has spent time interning with Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, as well as spent time studying abroad in Budapest, Hungary, where she focused on comparing public policy among European countries and the United States. Devan joined Native Nourishment because she understands how important it is to make sure all populations have access to healthy and nutritious foods, as well as making sure healthy food choices are affordable.
Meet the Staff
Maria Chudzik
Social Media & Marketing Director
Maria is a University of Delaware alumni with a Bachelor of Arts in both Anthropology and Media Communication. She is currently studying abroad for an MSc in Forensic Osteology and Field Recovery Methods in the U.K. She is most excited to help Native Nourishment spread their message of food empowerment and sovereignty to the Native and non-native communities alike!
Meet the Interns
Blue Hen Leadership Program (BHLP) Tier 2 Interns 2020-2021
Working on our development of Native Nourishment Packs. Packs with all the tools needed to start a small home or community garden in a compost bucket.
Yannick Nguenkam
Native Nourishment Intern
Yannick is an undergraduate student at the University of Delaware studying Biological Sciences. Yannick is helping Native Nourishment achieve its goals by performing the role of sponsor and liaison and creating planning and ideation! In his free time, he likes to stream and read.
Daniel Tull
Native Nourishment Intern
Daniel is a sophomore at the University of Delaware studying Landscape Architecture. He has a strong interest in helping to alleviate food deserts. With Native Nourishment, he hopes to make this a reality. Daniel is helping Native Nourishment with research and communication as well as putting together our gardening packs! In his free time, he like sketching, reading, and photography.
Ronald Abraham
Native Nourishment Intern
Ronald is a sophomore at the University of Delaware majoring in Information Systems. He loves to focus on supporting the Indigenous community. Ronald is also helping Native Nourishment as a meeting facilitator and schedule maker for the organization. In his free time, he likes to jog!
Meet the Interns
BHLP Tier 2 Interns 2021-2022
The 2021-2022 Native Nourishment interns will be working on improving Native Nourishment's social media presence and conducting video interviews with our staff and other important individuals, which will soon be available on social media and our website.
Native Nourishment Intern
Brooke Meadowcroft
Brooke is a Sophomore French Education & Political Science double major from Lake County, Illinois. Brooke is interested in raising more awareness surrounding food insecurity and the struggles that the Indigenous community faces. She is a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority on campus and RSO Let's Talk. Her favorite food is pumpkin pie with whipped cream!
