Welcome!

Michelle founded Rustic Love with her family in the spring of 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stemming simply from their wish to help feed local food-insecure families, Rustic Love grew into a non-profit garnering almost a half of a million dollars in its first four years. For her work with Rustic Love, Michelle was awarded the Vienna Mayor's Award in 2021, and along with the Rustic Love team was the Grand Marshal of the 2021 Vienna Halloween Parade. In 2024 she and the Board of Directors received a Commendation from Delegate Holly Seibold and the Virginia House of Delegates.

Michelle holds a BSBA from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has been in travel and media marketing for more than 25 years, and has been a Northern Virginia resident for more than 25 years. 

Claudia joined Rustic Love as a volunteer in April 2021 and currently serves as interim President. She is passionate about helping address food insecurity in our community and volunteers her time in multiple ways, including: social media content & oversight, communications, grantee research, and most recently helped paint and promote the vibrant “Hearts and Home” mural. 

A graduate of the University of Florida, Claudia has a background in nonprofit publications management and works as a Freelance Editor. She has happily called Vienna “home” since 2018.

Jennifer and her family began volunteering with Rustic Love in 2020, assembling and painting signs. After several years of involvement, Jennifer joined the board to further contribute to Rustic Love's impact. 

Jennifer is a healthcare lobbyist and specializes in patient access issues, advocating for policies that improve healthcare availability and equity, particularly for those with rare and genetic disorders. Jennifer holds a BA in Political Science and English from Millersville University of Pennsylvania and a MA in Political Science from Temple University. She is passionate about combining her policy expertise with community-driven efforts to make a difference. In addition to her volunteer work with Rustic Love, Jennifer contributes her time to organizations supporting rare disease patients, veterans and animal welfare. 

Originally from Chicago and having also lived in Philadelphia, Jennifer and her family have called the Vienna area home since 2012.

Becky started out as a volunteer in the fall of 2020 with pop-up sign sales which turned into full hands on sign builds. Her passion is the wood working start to finish process. She is also involved in merchandise curating, strategic development and is hands-on with everything related to Rustic Love.

Becky is a Political Science graduate from Christopher Newport University. She is a lifelong resident of Vienna, VA. In her spare time she’s an avid softball player and coach, also serving on the Board for Fairfax Adult Softball.

Brian’s relationship with Rustic Love began in early 2020 when his neighborhood elected to donate annual proceeds raised from an expansive Christmas Lights display to the organization.  He now primarily supports the wood cutting and assembly portions of the sign build process and also assists at sales events.

Brian is a graduate of the University of Maryland Global Campus (BS, Computer Networks and Security) and has called Vienna home since 2016.  In addition to his volunteer work with Rustic Love, he also leverages his free time from being a stay-at-home parent to avidly support the food insecure by doing weekly food deliveries to a homeless shelter and assisting with the pantry program at a local elementary school.