FY26 A.I. Food and Nutrition: Investing in Your Program

Ashley Lopes, MBA, is the Nutrition Financial Management Coordinator at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Prior to DESE Ashley held Director of Finance Roles at Mashpee Public Schools and Freetown – Lakeville RSD as well the Budget Analyst at Weston Public Schools when it was the recipient of the ASBO Meritorious Budget Award.

Denise Courtney, MS, RD, SNS is the Nutrition Education and School Wellness Training Coordinator at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education with more than a decade of experience developing and delivering training for Child Nutrition Professionals. As a registered dietitian, Denise has dedicated her career to strengthening school meal programs through innovative, science-based solutions. Throughout their work, Denise has been a champion for incorporating local foods, global flavors and medical modifications into school meals. She is passionate about elevating the public’s enthusiasm for school meals—communicating not only how delicious they are, but also their essential role in supporting academic achievement, student and local economic health.

Julianna (Julie) Valcour, RD, M.Ed., has served in child nutrition for over 15 years, the last ten with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Food and Nutrition Programs. In her time there, she has served as a Child Nutrition Program Reviewer and currently serves as the School Nutrition Programs Coordinator. In that role she supports the administration of the National School Lunch, School Breakfast and Special Milk Programs for the Commonwealth. She has also served as a consultant for the Department of Public Health and a Nutrition Educator for school nutrition professionals with the John Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition. She began her career in food service management as an assistant food service director in the healthcare field. She is a registered dietitian and holds degrees from the University of Vermont and Framingham State University.

Kristina proudly serves as the Assistant Director of the Office for Food and Nutrition Programs at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She has worked for the Department for 7 years and assists in overseeing the administration of 12 USDA Child Nutrition and Food Distribution Programs in Massachusetts. Prior to working at the Department, Kristina worked as a clinical registered dietitian, before spending time as a School Nutrition Director for a large urban district. Kristina currently serves as the Northeast Representative on the School Nutrition Association’s State Agency Advisory Council. Kristina has a passion for scratch cooking and nutrition education, and is inspired by creating positive impact through the altruistic work of child nutrition program operators across the Commonwealth.