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Meet the NFSB Board of Trustees: Mike Evangelista
Mike Evangelista was enjoying retirement when he received a call out of the blue from Nutley Family Service Bureau (NFSB) to help sort fruit and vegetables. He didn’t realize at the time that this impromptu volunteering experience would take him on such a rewarding journey.
“Somehow, Eileen (Painter, former Executive Director of NFSB) got my phone number,” Mike recalled with a laugh. “She said there was a big donation of produce, and they needed volunteers to sort it. While we were going through fruit and vegetables in a building by the football field, Eileen explained why the work was so important and what it would mean for people in town. I saw right away the difference that NFSB was making and I was hooked.”
Mike started volunteering at the Food Pantry, typically three or four days a week for a couple of hours each day. While volunteering, he would share ideas with current NFSB Food Pantry Director Joan Roake and Director of Retail Operations Peg Conca.“I wasn’t shy about voicing my opinions,” Mike said. “When there were openings on the board, Joan and Peg basically said, ‘Okay, now show up and see if you can make those things happen.’”
Mike joined the NFSB Board of Trustees in 2021 and was recently elected President, beginning his term in January of this year. As Board President, he will continue to be an advocate for the Food Pantry.
Mike previously chaired the Governance Committee, which has broad responsibilities for the organization as programs and services have expanded in recent years. He was involved with updating bylaws, overseeing certifications, and making sure all committees identify specific goals and plans to achieve them. He also served on the Finance Committee and Program Evaluation and Planning Committee.
Because demand for NFSB services has grown, Mike would like to develop a plan for building awareness of the organization in local communities and identifying and reaching more people who need help. He’ll also work to strengthen the financial position of NFSB.
“One of the primary challenges for all nonprofits is finances,” Mike said. “We’re in a much better place now than we were years ago, but we’re always looking to improve fundraising and make it more consistent and sustainable. We’re very proud of the accreditation that was finalized last year, and that should help us attract more donors, along with our annual fundraising events and campaigns.”
Katherine Carmichael, NFSB Executive Director shared, “As we embark on this next chapter, I am incredibly eager to work alongside Mike. He brings a unique blend of strategic vision and genuine passion for the people we serve. Mike is the definition of an engaged leader, and I’m confident he will continue to help us foster a culture of excellence and care at NFSB.”
Born in Newark, Mike moved to Nutley at age 13 and graduated from Nutley High School. After graduating from Penn State University, he moved to New York City and enjoyed a long, successful career on Wall Street, working on the operations side of financial services for major brokerage firms and in the annuity area of a well-known insurance company.
“Wall Street is a different kind of environment,” Mike said. “You meet a lot of interesting people, and companies are constantly bought and sold. I worked for three different companies in the span of one month without ever changing my desk. I have to say that I’m much more fulfilled working with NFSB.”
Although Mike has moved into the top leadership position on the Board, his personal interactions with NFSB clients continue to reinforce the importance of NFSB’s work. Just before the holidays, a woman who didn’t speak English walked into the Food Pantry. Several volunteers at the Pantry speak Spanish, but they eventually realized she was speaking Portuguese.
“By coincidence, I happened to be showing someone a YouTube video of a Brazilian singer,” Mike said. “I played it for her and she just lit up. Now I always use Google Translate to learn a few phrases so I can talk to her when she comes in. It’s that kind of simple interaction that makes a connection and shows people you truly care about them.”
