Board of Directors

Karen Sargent, Secretary

Born and raised in the Midwest, Karen Sargent learned how to cook, bake, sew, and garden from her mother and grandmother. After receiving degrees in microbiology (BS) and fungi (MA), Karen moved to upstate New York. Finding there was little demand for her job skills, Karen returned to school and earned a degree in dietetics and nutrition. She later became a registered dietician. Karen moved to Massachusetts, where she became involved in nutrition research studying the effects of low-fat to high-fat diets on weight gain and weight maintenance in mice. She later went on to research diabetes, cancer, and other health-related subjects.

Karen has been active in the local Green-Rainbow party, where she became involved in the promotion of local food. She is a consumer member of Mass Local Food Co-op, as well as a seasonal producer. Her salsa kit is available in the fall, both through the co-op and at the Westminster Farmers’ Market. Karen also helps the Westminster Friends Meeting make pies to sell at their spring and fall Market Days. They have been known to make 20 pies in an evening!

Mae Zagami, Treasurer

Mae Zagami grew up in Somerville and attended Boston State College (now part of UMass Boston). She worked for New England Mutual Life Insurance Company, where she held positions in Policyholder Services and Marketing. She was ultimately promoted to Second Vice President before leaving the company in 1994.

While working at New England Life, Mae turned her design hobby into a business. In 1989 she launched Creative Designs in Kitchens & Baths, in Stow, specializing in kitchen and bath design and remodeling. An avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Celtics, and the New England Patriots, Mae enjoys watching and attending sports events. She currently resides in Hudson with her husband, Bob, and they have two daughters.

David Leach, At-Large member

David Leach has more than 20 years’ experience in philanthropy, general management, and program implementation in business, government, and nonprofit settings. A native of New Zealand, he is a graduate of Australia’s Royal Military College with a BA from the University of New South Wales and holds a law degree from the University of Maine School of Law. David currently runs his own business, The Gentleman Farmer, Inc, which provides design, construction, and maintenance services tailored to the needs of hobby farmers and other country property owners.

David’s previous experience includes construction, historic house restoration, grant-making fundraising, legislative advocacy, and executive management positions in community planning, land conservation, historic preservation, and arts education. Before emigrating to the United States in 1988, he worked in Australia as a human resource manager in the banking industry. Prior to that he was a communications staff officer in the Australian Army. David lives with his wife, Audrey, in Princeton on an historic farm where they raise pigs and eggs for sale, together with a wide variety of vegetables in their hoop house and gardens.

Margaret LeRoux, At-Large Member

Margaret LeRoux is a writer and editor whose work has appeared in publications ranging from academic to business and general interest magazines. She contributes to Worcester Living and Edible Boston magazines and was a restaurant and food writer for the Worcester Phoenix. Margaret also is an enthusiastic amateur gardener and cook who grew 80 heads of garlic in her back yard last year. Margaret and her husband, Michael Volkert, joined Mass Local Food Co-op in October 2009; since then their consumption of local food has improved dramatically, and they happily avoid the supermarket meat department. Margaret also serves on Mass Local Food’s producer standards committee and publicity committee.