Press Release: Alexandra DePalo Named Executive Director

Seasoned public health official takes reins at non-profit fighting food insecurity in MetroWest

Concord and Maynard, MA (September 26, 2022) – Open Table, the Concord and Maynard charity dedicated to fighting hunger and building healthy communities, today announced that Alexandra DePalo will take over the role of executive director leading the 33-year-old non-profit organization whose mission is to end hunger in the local community by providing healthy food in ways that respect the dignity and diversity of those served. DePalo replaces Jeanine Calabria who helped establish Open Table as an area provider of food pantry services and mobile meals programs over her 10-year tenure.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, DePalo will provide vision and dynamic leadership to Open Table as well as supervisory oversight for a staff of 13 and over 500 volunteers. She will oversee the strategic and operational efficiency of the non-profit’s programs and staff and will help define the role of the new 3,000-square-foot annex.

“As executive director at  Open Table, I’ll have the opportunity to make an impact on the health and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable members of the MetroWest community,” said Alexandra DePalo, executive director, Open Table. “I’m looking forward to building on the strengths of this already impressive organization and advancing that work  to end hunger in our communities.”

Alexandra DePalo brings over 20 years of experience in public and community health to Open Table. She has worked in academic, philanthropic, government and community-based organizations to improve access to health and wellness across Massachusetts. Most recently Alex was the Director of Public Health for the City of Framingham where she provided personnel and budget management for the department, worked with a wide variety of community partners, and coordinated many of the City’s COVID-19 responses including emergency food programs, free testing sites and vaccine clinics.

Previously she worked for the Hudson Health Department on regional community health programs including food access and healthy eating initiatives. Earlier in her career she managed grant programs to promote healthy eating and reduce health disparities at the MetroWest Health Foundation.

DePalo holds an undergraduate degree in Economics from Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in public health from Boston University. She lives in Framingham with her two daughters and dog, Winston.  

“Open Table is excited to welcome Alexandra DePalo as its new executive director. Her experience in creating and running public health programs is exactly what Open Table needs,” said Mary Siegel, chairman of the board of Open Table. “She will be a driving force in helping  Open Table move closer and closer to meeting the needs of our clients in the communities where they live.” 

Currently Open Table distributes bags of groceries, which include fresh produce, proteins, dairy, baked goods, and shelf-stable produces, to over 300 households each week and provides over 1000 prepared meals to clients that hail from the Metro West suburbs.  Open Table has received incredible support from the communities it serves through donations of food and funds, making it possible to continue to address food insecurity in the MetroWest area.