Ronald was born in Atlanta and attended Grady High School, then received a BA and MBA in finance from the University of Georgia. He began his career with Ford Motor Company in the Atlanta District Sales Office. His career in Sales and Marketing took him to Detroit (three times), Seattle, Kansas City, Cleveland, and Dallas. He retired in 2000 as Executive Director of Fleet, Lease, and Remarketing. He then went on to work for Manheim Auctions, a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Industry Relations. Robbins and his wife Samra launched Backpack Buddies at their synagogue in Savannah in 2011. They moved back to Atlanta in 2017 and started Backpack Buddies at Congregation Beth Shalom. They were eventually able to sign 19 other organizations to join the program. In December 2023, Ronald retired from the organization, with founding Co-Chair Terri Bagen succeeding him in the role of Board Chair.

Terri Bagen is a principal at the F&B Group, a family-owned, real estate, and investment company. She earned her BS degree in Social Welfare at Georgia State University. Over the years, she enjoyed working professionally for several different community organizations including Oakhill Homes, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, Camp Barney Medintz, and Genesis Shelter. Prior to joining the F&B Group, she helped found and was the Executive Director of Jewish Healthcare International, a humanitarian healthcare organization. Terri has served as an officer and/or member of several nonprofit agency Boards of Directors. This has given her a strong understanding of the needs and best practices responses to many of the most pressing needs and issues faced both nationally and internationally. Terri feels that it is both an honor and an obligation to give back to the organizations that make our community and the world stronger. She says that her involvement with Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta Is one of the most important and meaningful experiences she has had.

Eleanor was born in Atlanta and attended Georgia State University and Mercer University. She is married with 3 adult children and a newly acquired rescue Doberman. Her professional history involved nearly 20 years with investment banking firms before becoming a member and the Treasurer of Skyland Church. A visit from Ron Robbins was the beginning of Eleanor’s involvement with BPBMA and Skyland’s connection as a Community Buddy. Eleanor leads Skyland’s volunteers as they pack and deliver 50 weekly BPB bags to students at John Lewis Elementary during the school year.

Debbie is a native of Pensacola, Florida, and a U. of Florida graduate. A pediatric social worker in her first life, she has been a residential Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty for over 40 years. Her community involvement includes being a former board member and supporter of the Community Assistance Center, Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, Coldwell Banker Cares Foundation, Jewish Women's Fund, and board member of Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta. Along with Rose Haber and Bonnie Cook, Debbie started the Backpack Buddies at Congregation B'nai Torah. She enjoys traveling, reading, exercising, and making brownies in her spare time with her granddaughter Hazel.

Kelly Dennis is a Team Chief Operating Officer, Director of Client Experience, Senior Vice President at Southeastern Wealth Management Group of Rockefeller Capital Management. As such, she leverages her extensive experience to provide comprehensive wealth management services and complex trust and estate strategies to the team’s high-net-worth clients. Previously, she had been an Assistant Vice President and Senior Client Relationship Manager at Morgan Stanley. Before that, she spent five years as an Assistant Vice President and Financial Advisor at Barclays Wealth. Kelly graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.B.A. in Marketing and Finance, with a minor in Leadership and Management. She supports a number of charities around Atlanta and currently serves on the Board for Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta. Kelly lives in Dunwoody with her husband (Andrew), their son (Bear), daughter (Hazel), and golden retriever (Murphy).

Mark is a born-and-raised 2nd generation Atlantan who grew up and currently lives in Dunwoody with his wife and three daughters (ages 8, 12, and 15). He enjoys working at start-ups and helping organizations get their ideas launched. Mark spent the last 12 years at PlayOn Sports, the nation's largest broadcaster of high school sports online. Prior to that, he spent 6 years building a new division at Industrial Metals and Surplus, a steel service center that his family started in 1978. Outside of work, Mark currently is on the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, where he is also the chair of their Innovation Fund. The Federation Innovation Fund accelerates Jewish innovation by investing in transformative, creative, scalable, and community-driven projects and technologies that reimagine Jewish life in Atlanta. He also serves on the Young Leadership Cabinet for the Jewish Federation of North America. In his “limited” free time, he enjoy spending time outdoors and Georgia football – Go Dawgs!

Anthony grew up in South Africa where he attended college and majored in accounting. After college, Anthony moved to the US and became a CPA in the early 1980’s. He initially worked for a big 4 accounting firm before becoming the Chief Financial Officer for several companies in insurance related businesses and healthcare, all located in the metro Atlanta area. Today, Anthony provides select financial consulting services as he winds down his decades long career as a full time CFO. Anthony is married to Deborah, who is very active in the Atlanta Jewish community. They have two adult children and enjoy traveling and plan to do more over the next several years. Anthony looks forward to helping Backpack Buddies grow and provide more children with food security.

David Oyler was previously Chairman and CEO of Inmark. Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Atlanta, with locations in Europe, Asia, and North America, Inmark is a respected global leader of comprehensive packaging solutions. He is a University of Georgia graduate and lives just north of Atlanta in East Cobb. He is an avid golfer.

Denise originally hails from New Jersey and moved with her family to Cape Coral, Florida when she was in elementary school. After graduating from High School, Denise earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. Denise began working in Title Insurance, earning her position as Director of Standards for Stewart Title Insurance Company. During her 23 years in the corporate world, Denise began her nonprofit work as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. She moved on to her first board role as a director for a local nonprofit in St. Petersburg. Soon afterward her nonprofit interest took a turn and Denise left the corporate world to take a full-time position as an Executive Director for a community church campus. From there, this led Denise to volunteer for The Kind Mouse, Inc., a nonprofit feeding local children on the weekends. During her time volunteering at The Kind Mouse, Denise earned her Certificate in Grant Writing and began writing grants for The Kind Mouse. Over the next two years, Denise became the Board President and served for two more years. After her term ended, Denise continued to volunteer with the organization and has kept a passion for helping children ever since. Denise also served as the Executive Director for NAMI Pinellas County, a mental health organization. Denise was fortunate to move positions within NAMI and accepted a state role with NAMI in December 2022, which led Denise to the beautiful state of Georgia. When Denise learned about Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta, she knew she had to return to her passion for helping children. Denise gladly accepted the newly formed position of Executive Director for Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta in April 2024. Denise is married to her husband, Jason. Together they have two adult children, four grandchildren, 2 grand-dogs, and 1 cat (all rescues). Denise and her husband enjoy playing cornhole, hiking, traveling, and spending time with their family.

Jonathan has always been around food and drink. As a kid, he'd "help" his wine salesman father at tasting events while expanding his taste buds by dining at his father's upscale restaurant accounts. Meanwhile, his art teacher's mother instilled a flair for the creative. At Syracuse University's Newhouse School, Jonathan honed his communication skills, leading him to launch his career in Marketing and Advertising in New York City. Developing expertise in Sports and Entertainment event marketing, Jonathan and his Atlanta-native wife Rachel made the move South to begin a family, which now includes 9-year-old daughter Hazel and puppy Griffin. For over a decade, Jonathan led events for major brands such as AT&T, Cupcake Vineyards, and ConAgra Foods at major events including NCAA Final Four, Coachella, Lollapalooza, Wrestlemania, and the Tribeca Film Festival. After a mid-career sabbatical, Jonathan returned to his culinary roots to launch JRB's BBQ, Atlanta's personal BBQ chef, and BBQ coach. He joins Backpack Buddies with that same passion for the power that food has to impact lives. When not at the smoker or the Backpack Buddies facility, Jonathan can be found playing tennis in one of several leagues, building legos with his daughter, traveling the world with his wife, or giving belly rubs to his pup.

Born in New York and raised in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Soleil has always had an interest in giving back and staying involved in her local communities. She attended Georgia State University and Erasmus University Rotterdam studying Journalism and Digital Media. Her experience working in marketing and PR has shaped her ability to communicate an organization's mission effectively. She felt a natural urge to pivot in the direction of Backpack Buddies as it would allow her to utilize her skills in a role where people really make a difference. As the Volunteer Coordinator for Backpack Buddies she oversees volunteer activities, organizes and leads shifts, and collaborates with partner organizations. In her free time she loves traveling and tackling different crafting projects like crocheting.

Melody Fortin’s professional journey reflects a deep commitment to community service and leadership. Originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Melody earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Communications while working full-time in the restaurant industry. During this time, she also gave back to her community by coaching youth soccer and girls’ softball teams. In 1987, Melody relocated to Roswell, Georgia, after marrying her husband, Joe. The move brought new opportunities and challenges, including adjusting to life in the bustling Atlanta area. She began her career in Georgia as a Computer Software Training Specialist for a staffing agency and later transitioned to managing a sports and teambuilding business for 20 years. Her dedication to community service has been a constant throughout her life. Melody has volunteered extensively, including work with Rape Crisis Hotlines, serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for seven years, and supporting North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC). Her roles at NFCC spanned from Operations Assistant to Food Pantry Manager, culminating in her position as the organization’s first Food Pantry Director, a role she held for 11 years. Now, as she begins a new chapter, Melody continues her mission to make a difference. She joined Backpack Buddies, where her skills and passion for nonprofit work align with her belief that access to food is fundamental to helping families thrive. Outside of work, Melody enjoys spending time on her boat at Lake Lanier with her husband, reading, walking, and connecting with nature.

Sarah has spent her entire life in the Southeast and holds a deep appreciation for the region. She is thrilled to have settled in Marietta with her family, where she enjoys hiking the scenic trails along the Chattahoochee River. Joining Backpack Buddies is a meaningful step for Sarah, allowing her to apply her extensive administrative expertise—honed through various corporate and nonprofit roles in Metro Atlanta—toward a cause she passionately supports: ensuring children have enough to eat. Outside of work, Sarah is an avid reader and enjoys expressing her creativity through crafting. She shares her Marietta home with her husband, a history professor, their three sons, and a lively mix of pets, including two dogs, a cat, a snake, and a hamster.