Salem Pantry Elects 4 To Board Of Directors

SALEM, MA — The Salem Pantry announced on Tuesday the election of four new members to its Board of Directors.

Harry DeMonaco, Matt O'Neil, Pauline Serrano, and Elle Simone Scott join the organization dedicated to providing convenient and reliable access to fresh, healthy food across the North Shore.

"We are thrilled to have Harry, Matt, Elle and Pauline joining our board this year," Executive Director Robyn Burns said. "They are each strong community advocates and bring a wonderful variety of skills, perspectives, and experiences that will help guide The Salem Pantry during this critical time."

In 2024, The Salem Pantry supported over 9,560 families, more than 31,500 individuals, and distributed over 3.7 million pounds of food through direct service programs and a food distribution hub in partnership with The Greater Boston Food Bank.

DeMonaco brings over four decades of leadership in healthcare to The Salem Pantry Board. A pharmacist by training and a nationally recognized expert in health innovation, DeMonaco served in senior clinical, teaching, research, and administrative roles at Massachusetts General Hospital.

His work has focused on patient safety, health policy, and the evaluation of new medical technologies. He currently serves as a Visiting Scientist at the MIT Sloan School of Management, where his research explores how patients and clinicians drive medical innovation outside traditional industry channels.

"The links between food insecurity, economics, and health are well described," DeMonaco said. "I hope that my experience in both healthcare and economics will prove to be useful and of value to both the board and the community that the Pantry supports. I am excited to be named a member of the board and look forward to working with the amazing staff of the Pantry to meet the ongoing needs of the Pantry's community."

O'Neil is a North Shore-based chef and restaurateur with over 15 years of leadership experience in the food and hospitality industry. He is theowner of The Blue Ox in Lynn and Ledger Restaurant & Bar in Salem, where he is known for his commitment to scratch cooking, seasonal menus,and locally sourced ingredients.

Outside of the kitchen, O'Neil is deeply engaged in the community as a youth sports coach and supporter of causes such as No Kid Hungry and research efforts for cancer, ALS, and Parkinson’s disease.

"The Ledger team and I have truly enjoyed working with The Salem Pantry over the years," said O'Neil. "As someone who grew up in Swampscott and has deep ties to this community, I'm honored to join the board and help continue the Pantry's incredible work across the North Shore."

Serrano, Ph.D., joins The Salem Pantry Board of Governors with a strong commitment to food equity shaped by personal experience. The daughter of Mexican immigrant farmworkers, she grew up with firsthand knowledge of food insecurity and brings that perspective to her work.

After earning a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Serrano pursued a career in biotechnology and now lives in Salem. She has contributed more than 250 volunteer hours with The Salem Pantry, combining analytical problem-solving with a hands-on dedication to community service.

"It is an honor to serve on The Salem Pantry’s Board of Trustees," Serrano said. "I'm excited to help guide the organization’s next phase, grounded in our shared commitment to equity, community-led change, and expanding access with care and a deep connection to the North Shore's vibrant community spirit."

Scott is a food stylist and executive editor at America's Test Kitchen with over a decade of experience influencing how audiences engage with food across print, digital, and broadcast media. She serves as the lead stylist for Cook's Country, appears regularly as an on-screen test cook, and recently served as a judge on America's Test Kitchen: The Next Generation.

Scott is the author of Food Gifts and a contributor to the best-selling Boards. Her forthcoming series, Entertaining with Elle, is set to premiere in 2026. She is also the founder of SheChef Inc., an organization dedicated to advancing women of color in the culinary industry.

"I joined the board of TSP because I know from firsthand experience that the strength of a community starts within. Salem is my community."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)