Elena Mills Is Teaching, Growing, and Feeding with Purpose

What started as a simple act of care to make sure share extra food did not go to waste evolved into a partnership with Share My Meal that has resulted in more than 28,000 meals donated to New Jersey families facing food insecurity.

At the center of that effort is Elena Mills, a change maker who finds meaningful ways to support people and communities. As Regional Director of Wellbeing and Sustainability, Elena creates hands-on, purpose-driven programs for a pharmaceutical company based in New Jersey.

Elena brings her expertise as a Registered Dietitian to help guests apply wellness in their daily lives, using food experiences to teach practical skills and connect everyday choices to personal health and sustainability goals. Through a partnership with Pike Lane Gardens, Elena helped create an on-site garden where employees grow their own food, attend workshops and build a connection to local, seasonal produce. The experience continues in the marketplace, where Elena partners with Eurest Regional Chef Ryan Pomeroy to host Teaching Kitchens, an interactive, hands-on education event where attendees learn how to prepare nutritious meals using seasonal produce.

“Elena leads with heart and consistency,” said Vice President of Guest Experiences Wendy Hammel. “She’s a true collaborator, always finding creative ways to turn our goals into experiences that resonate with guests and clients alike.”

Elena plays a key role in advancing Eurest’s four Food with Purpose initiatives: better nutrition choices, sourcing sustainable ingredients, lowering carbon emissions, and reducing waste. Equally important, she strengthens relationships with the teams and clients she supports, ensuring each initiative she leads delivers both impact and connection.

It’s this thoughtful, hands-on approach that earned Elena recognition as our July Food with Purpose Change Maker.