About Us
Our Values
Compassion
Dignity
Respect
Innovation
Agility
Our Mission
Our mission is to create food security through nutrition and education as the catalyst to empower individuals and families to reach their full potential. Daniel’s Table achieves this mission through continuous innovation of programming and outreach, service provision conducted with compassion and dignity and education that is respectful of culture and diversity.
Empowering Our Local Community
We support local families and individuals in need, with a focus on locally sourced, nutritious foods whenever possible. Our goal is to find the “hidden hungry,” those folks who struggle with food security but are not eligible for or are not currently being served by traditional food programs. To accomplish this goal, we strive to introduce innovative programs which enrich the lives of our community and provide much needed support to our neighbors in need.
Our Story
Daniel’s Table was born 9 years ago. David and Alicia Blais purchased, owned, and operated a restaurant in the City of Framingham. During their first few years of serving the community, they realized food insecurity was a significant problem for their “neighbors” in Framingham. Having the compassion and expertise to combat the hunger problem they saw around them; they were compelled to act. They believed their business and culinary acumen provided a strong foundation. A foundation that would allow them to address the complex issues confronting the City. On September 14, 2016 Daniel’s Table became a registered 501(c)3 organization. Daniel’s Table has been evolving ever since.
Meet the Team
David Blais
Executive Director
Alicia Blais
Program Director
Ulrika Shepardson
Finance and Operations Manager
Damia Alami
Capital Campaign Director
Board of Directors
Japneet Bedi, Board President
jbedi@danielstable.org
Japneet Bedi is a visionary leader committed to providing impactful patient support services in the biopharmaceutical industry. With over two decades of experience, Japneet is recognized for her innovative approach to driving transformation and has established herself as a trusted leader, earning several recognitions and awards for her commitment to patients.
Born and raised in India, Japneet completed her bachelor’s program and moved to the United States in August 1999 with her husband. She continued her education, completing a master’s program in operations and IT at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA.
Known for her ability to inspire others, build meaningful relationships, and dedication to mentorship, Japneet thrives in fast-paced environments and is always eager to seize new opportunities. Japneet lives by what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The time is always right to do what is right”. As a member of the Board at Daniel’s Table, Japneet will reinforce the idea that every moment is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others which resonates with Daniel’s Table’s approach of providing compassionate and dignified service.
Tracy Terry, Board Vice President
Tracy Terry is an executive with over 25 years of strategic leadership experience in learning and development. As Vice President she leads the global learning strategy for a global engineering and construction firm, aligning professional development initiatives with organizational goals and driving impactful change management programs.
Tracy is a certified leadership coach and practitioner in multiple behavioral and leadership assessment tools, including Myers-Briggs, Hogan, Predictive Index, and ESCI. Her expertise spans instructional design, performance consulting, and organizational development, with a strong focus on fostering inclusive and effective leadership.
Deeply committed to community service, Tracy serves as Parent Coordinator for A Simple Gesture, a student-led initiative supporting the Ashland Food Pantry. She has also volunteered with the Ashland Education Foundation, served on the Ashland Public Schools Site Council, and led Girl Scout troops.
She is committed to bringing her skills in coaching, leadership, organizational design and change management to serve Daniel’s Table as the organization moves toward opening its new building and expanding our service to the community.
Tracy lives in Ashland with her husband and two children.
John Lynch, Treasurer
John has been affiliated with Daniel’s Table for over 10 years. Serving as a board member for six years, Advisor on strategic options, and volunteer. Served on the board of other nonprofits, including AANE, and Vineyard, church of Hopkinton. John is a corporate finance executive, with over 30 years of experience in multinational corporations. The past 24 years, he has worked at Waters corporation. He is currently vice president, treasurer, and vice president of investor relations.
Andrew Kadets, Board Member
In 2019, Andrew transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry as an in-house attorney for GE Healthcare. He currently serves as a lawyer at Alkermes, Inc., a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company in Waltham, Massachusetts that is committed to developing medicines designed to help people living with complex and difficult-to-treat psychiatric and neurological disorders.
Andrew holds both his undergraduate and law degrees from Boston University. In 2014, he returned to BU as an Adjunct Professor of Business Law at the School of Management. His dedication to legal education also includes contributing to Drafting Commercial Documents in Massachusetts (Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, 2012), a widely respected resource for practitioners.
Beyond his legal career, Andrew serves as a language tutor and mentor for Asha, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing healthcare and education to children in the slums of Delhi, India. A lifelong Massachusetts resident, Andrew grew up in Framingham and Newton and has lived in Framingham for the past 20 years. Outside of work, he enjoys drumming and performing with his band, playing tennis, and spending time with his wife and two children.
Andrew’s blend of legal depth, healthcare experience, and community focus makes him an exceptional fit for the stewardship and strategic growth Daniel’s Table is pursuing.
Our leadership team is evolving. Check back soon to meet the rest of our board.
Tax Info
All donations made to Daniel’s Table (EIN #47-3166043) are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. The IRS requires us to inform you that the amount of your contribution that is deductible for federal income tax purposes is limited to the excess of the amount of any money (and the value of any property, other than money) contributed by you over the value of the goods or services provided by the organization. No goods or services were provided by the organization.
Ways YOU Can Support Our Mission
Donate Groceries & Goods
Contribute to Our Campaigns
Become a Volunteer
Run a Food Drive
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