Bruce Baker

Executive Director

Bruce L. Baker is co-founder and Executive Director of Community Health and Empowerment through Education and Research (CHEER). Bruce has led CHEER’s efforts to facilitate a community strategic plan, conduct research on community housing and health conditions, and facilitate community improvement actions to address community priorities through collaborations and partnerships.

Kelly Umaña

Director of Health Programs

Kelly Umaña joined CHEER in April 2021 serving as the Community Health Programs Manager. In her role she leads a team of 5 community health workers in designing and implementing public health programs that create equitable opportunities for quality health care access in the community. She currently oversees a wide array of programs including, but not limited to, COVID-19 vaccine access and health education, the Long Branch Healthy Food Access Program, Point of Entry Project, and Case Management. In addition, she holds a significant role in advising the Mid Atlantic LatinX Vaccine Equity Coalition community health worker training and outreach strategies.
 

Vanesa Pinto

Empowerment and Leadership Development Program Director

Vanesa is the organizer of all CHEER programming involving community building and networks of support in Long Branch. Before finding her passion in community organizing, Vanesa was an accountant in Bolivia. She is proud to have been that profession and equally proud to have left it behind as she credits her initial career path as the trigger motivating her to leave Bolivia and find her passion in the United States.

Ray Nosbaum

Operations Coordinator

Ray is a consultant with CHEER; his title is Operations Coordinator. For over four years with CHEER, Ray has been the food distribution coordinator for the LBHFAP, the volunteer coordinator and the operations coordinator. Ray retired from a career with the US Department of Agriculture. Afterwards, he operated farmers markets in Takoma Park, Long Branch and Forest Glen.