Executive Director - Mike Basher

Michael Basher is the Executive Director of UpLift Solutions. He has held many positions in his 34 year career in the Supermarket industry including Director of Community Affairs, District Manager and Store Director for Brown's ShopRite. Mr. Basher has always loved the community involvement that comes from serving thousands of people throughout the region and to help solve a vast array of needs.

Mike after years in retail food was hired to his current position by the Board of Directors and Jeff Brown, Chairman of UpLift Solutions. Mr. Basher has a unique way of bridging the gaps between retail food operators, non-profits, religious groups, schools, businesses and elected officials to help those most in need across the country to solve diverse and complex problems. He is actively involved in the "Teens 4 Good" urban youth agriculture program, "Goods for Guns" gun exchange program, health & social service clinics and the hiring of ex-offenders to help them make the transition into productive members of their communities where they live. Mike was instrumental in coordinating the 1st "Town Hall Meeting" which brought members of President Obama's cabinet to the Parkside area of Philadelphia to discuss "food access" deficiencies.

Mike is a member Berean Bible Chapel where he has served as Elder, Treasurer, and currently Assistant Pastor. Mike is extremely proud to mentor, counsel, teach and serve in the communities where he works and lives.

Associate Director - Donna Leuchten, MSSP

Donna Leuchten joined the UpLift Solutions' staff as the Associate Director in August 2011. She holds a M.S. in Social Policy from The University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy and Practice and a B.S. in Sociology from Saint Joseph's University. Donna brings experience and knowledge of both food access initiatives and nonprofit management. Before joining UpLift Solution, Ms. Leuchten conducted Food Stamp/SNAP outreach with the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, completed research for The Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania and was a Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow through the DC-based Congressional Hunger Center. As a fellow, she worked in the advocacy department of Hunger Task Force in Milwaukee, WI and on staff at The National Coalition for the Homeless in Washington, DC.

Ms. Leuchten is a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern Pennsylvania and a member of the Faith-Justice Alumni Affinity Committee at Saint Joseph's University. She currently lives in Philadelphia, PA.