Christina Hanson
Executive Director
Christina Hanson joined Part of the Solution (POTS) in 2012 and became its Executive Director in 2019. Before she joined POTS, compelled by a desire to use her skills for tangible change, Christina joined the Peace Corps and began to volunteer in the fields of health and education in Senegal. Upon her return, Christina joined Fairmount Ventures, where she helped small nonprofit organizations run their businesses and deliver on their missions, and she also contributed to an English as a Second Language program in Philadelphia. Christina views POTS as a truly human place, in which staff, clients, volunteers, and supporters work together to overcome hardship and achieve positive outcomes. As a part of POTS’ leadership, she is committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity, and she firmly believes that the organization is a place of hope for anyone who would seek a better future, regardless of background.
Jack Marth
Director of Programs
Jack was a student at Fordham University when he first volunteered with the original POTS soup kitchen in 1982. He’s stayed connected with POTS in a variety of roles ever since that time. In 2000, he graduated from law school and was one of 25 people nationwide to be awarded a legal public interest fellowship from the Skadden Fellowship Foundation, which led to the creation of POTS’ Legal Clinic. Jack served as the clinic’s director until his promotion in 2012 to Director of Programs. Before attending law school, Jack worked with the Jesuit Refugee Service in El Salvador and as a case manager at a shelter for seniors struggling with mental illness. Jack earned his bachelor’s degree from Fordham University and received his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University. While the needs that POTS serves often seem overwhelming and intractable, Jack is inspired by the vision of POTS’ founders; every day we work with those in need is a reminder that each of us can be part of the solution.
Ann Marie Macdonald
Chief Operating Officer
Ann Marie joined POTS as the Director of Finance and Operations in August 2019 following a career of more than 20 years in the for-profit space, including work in auditing, tax services, banking, and strategy and data analytics. She moved to the non-profit space to pursue her passion for addressing the issues of food instability and income inequality. POTS, with its mission to support every individual on their journey from crisis to stability, turned out to be a perfect fit for her. Ann Marie started her career at KPMG working in auditing and tax services. She then worked as a commercial banker at Wells Fargo. At Moody’s Analytics, she built teams focused on data and analytics and improved operational strategies. Just before coming to POTS, she worked at a management consulting firm, where she led teams that utilized market research and client and business knowledge to enable better strategic decision-making. Ann Marie has an undergraduate degree in Accounting from Fairfield University and an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley.
Diego Padilla
Director of Communications
Diego joined POTS as the Director of Communications in October 2021. Within over 15 years of professional experience, he has worked in the non-profit, public, and private sectors on a variety of issues, including the fight against poverty and food security, as well as sustainable development. His very first job was in the non-profit sector, and he’s been coming back to that field ever since. In between, he’s worked for the United Nations system in a variety of roles, including contributions in strategic planning, coordination skills, and international negotiations and events. Over the course of these diverse experiences, he developed his passion for creating positive impacts in social, economic, and environmental matters, and this passion eventually brought him to POTS. He has a Master of Law Degree in Public Law from the University of Costa Rica.
Taina Rodriguez
Associate Director of Food and Dignity Programs
Taina first came to POTS in 1993 as a beneficiary of its services when she was just 11 years old. She began to volunteer shortly thereafter, and her dedication to POTS eventually led to a part-time paid position in 1996. Since then, Taina has worn many hats for POTS; she’s worked as the weekend dining room manager, volunteer coordinator, pantry intake worker, dignity and wellness services “floater,” and part-time cook. Since 2011, she has overseen the operation of POTS’ Food Pantry and Community Dining Room and was promoted to her current role as Associate Director of Food and Dignity Programs in 2019. In the Food Security Program, she helped implement nutrition guidelines, improve food safety standards, and create processes and procedures that allow POTS to serve more than one million meals a year. Above all, Taina sincerely loves helping and connecting with POTS’ clients each and every day.
Josef Aguilar
Associate Director of Long-Term Stability Services
Josef joined POTS in 2015 as its Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) coordinator. He was promoted to Program Manager in 2017 and to Associate Director of Long-Term Stability Services in 2019. Currently, he oversees POTS’ workforce development, case management, and mentoring teams, which annually secure nearly $12 million in client benefits each year. Josef has created partnerships to deepen client access to healthcare-related benefits, mental health services, workforce programs, and many other services. He and his staff work to expand each client’s vision of what their future can hold by helping them create opportunities and believe their goals are attainable. He feels fortunate to be able to share with clients the kind of guidance and encouragement that he has received from the people in his life and is inspired by the positive change POTS helps its clients achieve. Before joining POTS, Josef worked as a healthcare navigator at Food Bank For New York City. He holds a degree in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego.
Elizabeth Maris
Supervising Attorney
Beth joined POTS in 2015 as its Supervising Attorney. Since then, she has led the legal clinic in preventing more than thousands of evictions. In 2017, The New York City Bar Association presented her with a Legal Services Awards, which recognizes attorneys and non-attorneys who provide outstanding civil legal assistance to New York’s poor. Before joining POTS, she worked as an attorney at Bronx Legal Services and The Legal Aid Society. Beth chooses to work at POTS because it provides her the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients and co-workers in a setting that provides holistic services that support and affirm the dignity of all. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a law degree from Columbia University.
Marshall Castaneda
Associate Director, Operations & IT
Marshall joined POTS as Operations Manager in 2022 and became the Associate Director, Operations & IT in 2023. After pursuing a career in music, he entered the for-profit sector specializing in sales and back of house operations where he climbed into management within 2 years. Marshall oversaw multiple locations, earning several accolades for achieving goals in numerous KPI categories and ranked among the top locations in the country. Since joining POTS, Marshall has helped facilitate the expansion to our new Grand Concourse location and has begun transitioning POTS into a more energy efficient and sustainable non-profit organization. Marshall holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Iona University.
Christina Hanson
Executive Director
Christina joined POTS in 2012 and became executive director in 2019. She played a major role in implementing a model of personalized and comprehensive services at POTS through her long-time experience on program strategy and leadership. Prior to joining POTS, she developed skills in the area of finance and analysis at Mooring Financial Corporation, aid and international development as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal and nonprofit strategy and fundraising at Fairmount Ventures. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and an MBA from UNC Chapel Hill. Christina views POTS as a truly special place where everyone works together to overcome hardship, achieve positive outcomes, and embrace our shared humanity.
Jack Marth
Director of Programs
Jack first became associated with POTS in 1982 as a volunteer in the original POTS soup kitchen while he was a student at Fordham. He worked in various roles at POTS from 1989-1992. In 2000, Jack graduated from law school and was one of 25 people nationwide to be awarded a legal public interest fellowship from the Skadden Fellowship Foundation, which led to the creation of POTS’ Legal Clinic. He served as the clinic’s director until his promotion to director of programs in 2012. In between working for POTS, Jack worked with the Jesuit Refugee Service in El Salvador and as a case manager at a shelter for mentally ill seniors. Jack earned his bachelor’s degree from Fordham University and received his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University. Jack is inspired by the vision of the POTS’ founders. The needs POTS seeks to address can seem overwhelming, intractable, and unsolvable. Working at POTS is a daily reminder that every opportunity we have to respond to those in need is an opportunity to be “part of the solution”.
Ann Marie Macdonald
Director of Finance and Operations
Ann Marie joined POTS as the Director of Finance and Operations in August 2019 following an over 20 year career in the for profit space, including work in Audit, Tax, Banking, Strategy and Data Analytics. Ann Marie moved to the non-profit space looking to have more a positive impact on people’s lives. Ann Marie’s passion is helping to find solutions the improve the issues of food instability and income inequality. POTS mission to be a place where all individuals are supported on their journey from crisis to stability is a perfect fit for Ann Marie. Ann Marie started her career at KPMG working in audit and tax, she then worked as a Commercial Banker at Wells Fargo. At Moody’s Analytics she built teams focused on data and analytics as well as improving operational strategies. Finally, she worked at a management consulting firm where she led teams that utilized market research, client and business knowledge to enable better strategic decisions. Ann Marie has an undergraduate degree in Accounting from Fairfield University and a MBA from the University of California, Berkeley.
Dan Rostan
Director of Development
Dan joined POTS in October 2019 as its Director of Development. He brings more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, including roles as executive director, director of development, and vice president for field services in such sectors as the performing arts, arts education, social justice, and healthcare. He was attracted to POTS because of its mission to meet basic human needs, its commitment to equity and justice, and its embrace of diverse volunteers, donors, staff, and clients united in their commitment to these values. His undergraduate degree in psychobiology from Albright College and his Master of Arts in Musical Theory from the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music reflects Dan’s interdisciplinary approach to life and his special interest in human behavior and its creative manifestations. Dan loves fundraising and working with volunteers because of the satisfaction he gets from helping people join forces to achieve a greater objective.
Diego Padilla
Director of Communications
Diego joined POTS as Director of Communications in October 2021. He brings 15 years of experience working with the non-profit, public and private sector in a variety of topics including the eradication of poverty, food security and sustainable development. Prior to joining POTS, he worked in diplomacy and public relations in the United Nations’ system. He has a Master of Law Degree in Public Law from the University of Costa Rica. Diego has always been interested in being part of initiatives to have a positive impact in social, economic and environmental matters.
Taina Rodriguez
Associate Director of Food and Dignity Programs
Taina initially came to POTS in 1993 when she was just 11 years old as a beneficiary of its services. Taina’s dedication to POTS as a volunteer eventually turned into a part-time paid position in 1996. Since then, Taina has worn countless hats for POTS, including roles as weekend dining room manager, volunteer coordinator, pantry intake worker, day-to-day services “floater,” and part-time cook. She has been overseeing the operation of POTS’ Food Pantry and Community Dining Room since 2011 and was promoted to her current role as Associate Director, Food and Dignity Services in 2019. In the Emergency Food Programs, she helped implement nutrition guidelines, improved food safety standards, and created processes and procedures that allows POTS to serve over one-millon meals a year. Above all that, Taina sincerely loves helping and connecting with POTS’ clients each and every day.
Josef Aguilar
Associate Director of Next-Step Services
Josef joined POTS in 2015 as its Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) coordinator and was promoted to Program Manager in 2017 and Associate Director of Next-Services in 2019. He currently oversees POTS workforce development, case management, and comprehensive case management teams which annually secures nearly $12 million in benefits each year. While at POTS, he has created partnerships to deepen client access to healthcare related benefits, workforce programs, mental health services and many other services. He feels fortunate to have had wonderful people guide and encourage him throughout his life, and he is motivated by POTS’ ability to positively impact lives as much as those that had inspired him. He and his staff work to expand each client’s vision of what their future can hold by helping them believe their goals are attainable and by working to create opportunities. Prior to joining the organization, he worked as a healthcare navigator at Food Bank For New York City. Josef holds a degree in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego.
Elizabeth Maris
Supervising Attorney
Beth joined POTS in 2015 as its supervising attorney. Since becoming POTS’ supervising attorney she has led the legal clinic to prevent over 1800 evictions. In 2017, The New York City Bar Association presented her with a Legal Services Awards, which give recognition to attorneys and non-attorneys who provide outstanding civil legal assistance to New York’s poor. Prior to joining POTS, she worked as an attorney at Bronx Legal Services, Legal Aid Society and Legal Services New York City – Bronx. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a law degree from Columbia University. Beth chooses to work at POTS because of the ability to work with a diverse range of clients and co-workers, in a setting that provides holistic services in a manner that supports and affirms the dignity of all.