CANTON -- The GardenShare board has named Rebecca L. Allen as the group’s new executive director.

“We are excited to welcome Becky,” Carol Pynchon, Gardenshare board president, said in a news release. “She brings experience, passion, and wonderfully positive energy to our work to tackle the problems of hunger in our communities.”

Most recently, Allen was emergency preparedness coordinator for the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department. She also worked as academic coordinator in Clarkson University’s Department of Occupational Therapy and taught in SUNY Potsdam’s Community Health Department.

Prior to moving to the North Country, the Michigan native was program coordinator for Michigan State University Student Health Services and an academic specialist in MSU’s School of Social Work.

Allen holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in social work, program administration and evaluation from MSU.

“I welcome the opportunity to play an integral role in addressing hunger and ensuring food security in the North Country,” Allen said in a prepared statement. “My heart and passion lie in addressing economic disparities and advocating for social justice through sound strategic planning, program management, policy development, and community engagement.”

“We look forward to welcoming Becky to the GardenShare staff on October 1,” Pynchon said in the release. “A priority for her is to meet the many partners and supporters who make GardenShare’s work possible. A wonderful opportunity to meet Becky, our staff, and our volunteers and supporters will be our annual Growing Community event at SUNY Potsdam’s WISER Center on Thursday, November 1. Everyone is welcome!”

Gardenshare’s website is www.gardenshare.org.