Staff
Our small Village Project staff is a multi-talented group of professionals with a passion for our mission, vision and ideals. Together, we equip, empower and encourage over 600 volunteers of all ages.
Meredith La Vecchia
Executive Director
Meredith brings nearly three decades of invaluable experience to her role as a non-profit leader at Village Project. Her tenure has been marked by significant achievements, including substantial growth in client, volunteer, and donor engagement. Under her leadership, Village Project successfully undertook a rebranding initiative that more effectively communicates its mission of supporting families affected by cancer.
Since assuming the position of executive director in 2021, Meredith has driven notable increases in the number of meals served and clients supported. Her leadership has enhanced community awareness and appreciation for Village Project’s vital work.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Meredith has deep roots in her community of Westlake, where she has resided for over twenty years with her husband Pat and raised their three children. Her ongoing engagement in the community underscores her commitment to making a meaningful impact both personally and professionally.
Meredith’s dedication, vision, and extensive experience continue to play a pivotal role in advancing Village Project’s mission and serving those in need.
Lisa McDanels
Executive Operations Director
Lisa is Village Project’s Executive Operations Director. She runs the day-to-day operations and oversees our team of volunteers. Lisa brings with her a strong work ethic and over 30 years of organizational, communication and marketing and sales skills having worked at companies such as Eaton, BP Oil, Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
She enjoys the camaraderie and diverse backgrounds the volunteers bring to Village Project. From retired engineers and electricians to doctors to graphic designers, everyone brings their own unique skills to the table. Lisa is also impressed by the commitment and dedication of the volunteers and donors.
Lisa and her husband Kendall Christian live in Bay Village along with their two cats. In her free time, Lisa enjoys exploring new walking trails throughout the country, reading, listening to music and just enjoying the little things in life.
Kira Wynocker
Culinary Director
Kira is our Culinary Director and oversees our kitchen program, designing menus that are both nourishing and delicious. Having a passion for functional and nutritional health, Kira knows the value and potential impact of wholesome, healthy meals.
She is also a Registered Nurse and was a labor and delivery nurse at Cleveland Clinic’s Fairview Birthing Center for nearly 15 years, helping women assume the mantle of motherhood. Growing up with parents who loved to experiment in the kitchen, her zeal for food is deeply rooted. From preparation to feast, breaking bread with loved ones has always been important to her. Being the Culinary Director at Village Project gives Kira an opportunity to give guidance to young adults in the kitchen and share her love and giving spirit with her community. Continuing her interest in functional health, she also works as a nurse at a wellness center helping clients navigate their health journey.
Kira and her husband Mike live in Bay Village and she is trying hard to pass her love for cooking onto at least one of her four children.
Cheryl Harrison
Kitchen Leader
As the Kitchen Leader, Cheryl brings over 25 years of experience in the catering business and 7 years of volunteering in the kitchen at the Village Project. Her journey in the culinary world has equipped her with a wealth of knowledge and skills that will be applied in assisting kitchen volunteers as they cook and understanding weekly meal preparation. With the team of volunteers, she will ensure we deliver high-quality meals and continue to support our community through her culinary efforts. Together, we will create delicious, nutritious, and memorable meals that bring comfort and joy during difficult times.
Outside of the Village Project kitchen, Cheryl continues to work catered events, but in her free time, she likes to exercise with her friends or travel to visit her three daughters and nine energetic grandchildren. She cherishes the moments spent with family and attending all their sporting events!
Julie McLaughlin
Client Intake & Delivery Coordinator
As Village Project’s Client Intake and Delivery Coordinator, Julie oversees all our clients, bringing them on board, pairing them with an Intake Volunteer, and keeping in touch throughout their cancer journey. She also coordinates all aspects of delivery to our clients by assigning routes to the Delivery Angels, packaging the food, and finding subs when a Delivery Angel needs one.
Julie is a retired preschool teacher who volunteered at Village Project for nearly three years before joining our staff. She enjoys the love, joy and care in the Village Project atmosphere. One of her favorite things about being part of the Village Project family is interacting with the Delivery Angels and getting to know them. She is encouraged every week by their caring hearts, as they interact with the clients. Julie also likes talking to clients, answering their questions, and helping them through their difficult journey.
Julie and her husband, Dan, raised their three children in Bay Village. She enjoys spending time playing the piano, walking, reading, and cooking, and her greatest joy is spending time with her family, especially her five grandchildren.
Heather Mohler
Marketing & Communications Manager
Heather is the Marketing and Communications Manager at Village Project. She brings several years of marketing specialist experience focusing on print and web design, social media advertising and branding. Her creative work has stemmed from entrepreneurial, small businesses in the commercial real estate field, to large corporations, such as Sherwin-Williams. Her success through visionary thinking and strategic planning has resulted in numerous marketing achievements throughout Northeast Ohio.
Heather likes to work in the community and provide the innovative support needed to advance those around her. She lives in Avon with her husband, daughter, and their dog. She enjoys being outdoors and playing several sports.