“I am writing this recommendation for Gina as a food allergy educator and consultant with great confidence in her abilities and knowledge of this very important topic for our young children. Gina has helped the Branford Board of Education to finally, after three long years, adopt an improved school allergy policy with the majority of the ideas coming from Gina. Gina spear-headed this effort consistently informing the board on why it needs to be done for the health of our children and kept the board on task to get it done. Gina has helped the Board get a better understanding of the seriousness of this issue not just in the classrooms, but also to make sure the staff is trained to handle an allergic reaction and the practical everyday management of this life-threatening medical condition within our schools. Due to Gina’s efforts the board has incorporated some extra safety precautions in our school cafes and part of the bidding process for the upcoming bus contract, bus drivers will be properly trained to handle allergic reactions. Gina is also the President & Founder of the Food Allergy Education Network which spreads out the message to keep families involved and informed. Gina would be an asset to any firm and/or family that needs to address Food Allergy Management.”
Michael A. Krause, Branford, CT Board of Education Chair (member for 13 years +), Business Owner
“Over the years, I have crossed paths with Gina within the food allergy advocacy and education world. There a threshold that one moves through that changes a person from Food Allergy Mom–who advocates and educates on her family’s behalf– to Food Allergy Advocate–who educates the community or masses. Gina is a very intelligent and seasoned Food Allergy Advocate who not only understand understands the various aspects of managing this invisible life threatening disease, but is gifted in teaching others how manage. Her leadership skills and professionalism have always kept Gina highly respected and successful. To be honest, when I have a serious question or issue, Gina is the person I would pick up the phone to call so that I could explore my options with a very knowledgeable advocate.”
The journey to get the Branford School District to change its policies and regulations regarding food allergies has been a very long one. The District is a slow moving ship, and it takes a while to turn it around. Gina has spearheaded this operation with dedication and tenacity and with an eye on the long road ahead. She has been very patient with the many hurdles she has encountered along the way. There has been a lot of dead time along the way, whilst the district reconsidered the whole issue. She was appointed to lead a committee with school administrators, and she calmly and patiently lead every one down the right path.
Branford now has a workable set of policies and regulations in place, which should help ensure a safer environment for children with food allergies. Gina is still in there making sure that these policies and regulations are actually going to be adhered too.
Gina represents the very best of parent leadership in the district. She has stayed focused over the 4 years that this has been worked on. She has the respect and admiration of all the district’s administrators she has dealt with. She also maintains a sense of humor and understanding of the slowness of the process. I have no doubt whatsoever that without her leadership Branford would not have an effective food allergy policy. I have seen her dedication to establishing an effective non-profit through her food allergy network. Gina is an amazing woman who has enriched our community enormously through her hard work, dedication and perseverance. I am honored to write this letter of recommendation for her.”
– Susan Wharfe, Branford Board of Education
“Gina Lee makes it her business to know the intricacies of food allergies and how they relate to educational settings and the community. She is the strongest advocate I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing, not only for children but for families. She is immensely knowledgable in an ever changing landscape and focuses like a hawk on fair and thoughtful outcomes.” – Robin Comey, Chair, Branford Early Childhood Collaborative“Dear Gina,
Thank you for advocating for my food-allergic son, Nicholas Colombo, at his Section 504 Plan meeting at Mauro-Sheridan Interdistrict Magnet School in New Haven, Connecticut on January 13, 2014. Your expertise and knowledge were imperative in gaining the accommodations necessary for maintaining Nicholas’ safety and well-being at school. Your confident presentation of our requests was expertly backed by your compelling explanations of food allergies. You encouraged a positive attitude in each of the team members who attended the meeting.
Gina, you were able to direct the meeting in a captivating way. You had a unique ability to make the reasons behind the requests for accommodations easily understood. At the same time, you balanced the overwhelming severity of anaphylaxis with the individual needs of one child. Your enthusiasm and energy were powered by your experience in educating the community and in advocating for those living with food allergies.
It was a great pleasure working with you while you supported me and advocated for my son. Thank you for all your efforts in making his Section 504 Plan a success. Once again, the knowledge, experience, and information you shared while advocating for my son had an invaluable impact on gaining the request for accommodations that we originally set out to put in place. I cannot imagine having done this without you.
With kind regards and deep appreciation,
Theresa M. Colombo”
