Board Members

Paul Polydor

Paul Polydor is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of nutrition, with a particular focus on its role in promoting health and well-being. His journey into the world of food and health began as he sought natural ways to support his children’s health and neurological development, leading him to become a firm believer in the healing potential of a mindful diet.

Paul has since become a trusted consultant to restaurants and food charities, where his expertise in nutrition and wellness has helped shape menus and initiatives that prioritize healthful eating. His commitment to food as medicine is also reflected in his involvement with organizations like the MINDD Foundation in Sydney, which champions nutritional approaches to managing health conditions such as autism.

In addition to his work in the food industry, Paul is deeply involved in design and real estate. His keen eye for architecture and interior design, combined with his love for art and fashion, has made him a respected figure in these fields. As an avid art collector and patron, he serves as an ambassador for the Macquarie Group Art Foundation in New York, blending his creative passions with his professional endeavors.

With nearly four decades of experience as a financial expert, Paul’s diverse background adds a unique perspective to his work, but it is his dedication to promoting health through nutrition and design that truly defines his contributions.

Tom Allon

Tom is an American newspaper/magazine and digital media and events entrepreneur. He is the CEO, publisher, and former co-owner of City & State NY. Previously, he was president and co-owner of Manhattan Media. He was a candidate for mayor in the 2013 election for eighteen months but subsequently dropped out of the race. He was endorsed by the Liberal Party in New York. Allon is also a columnist and pundit whose opinion articles have appeared in the New York Daily News, New York Post, City & State, and HuffPost. He is a serial media entrepreneur who helped build one public media company and two private media companies in the three decades between 1990-2020. He has bought and sold many publications and is considered an expert in launching and growing digital and events-driven local media outlets. Allon started his career as an educator, teaching English and Journalism at his alma mater, Stuyvesant High School. He has also taught opinion writing in the journalism department at Hunter College in New York City.  Tom graduated from Cornell University and The Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. 

Marla Bermack 

Marla is the Managing Director of Membership at 3i, where she operates out of both New York City and West Palm Beach. With a rich career spanning key roles in sales and investment across public and private markets, Marla’s expertise is well-established. Before her current role, she was a Partner and Managing Director at Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), collaborating closely with hedge funds and private equity firms.

Earlier in her career, Marla held business development roles at Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn and AllianceBernstein, where she successfully marketed investment products to family offices and high-net-worth individuals. Academically, she holds degrees from Tufts University and an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business.

Marla’s interests extend beyond her professional achievements, encompassing tennis, art, travel, running, skiing, learning, and reading. Her passion for health and longevity underscores her well-rounded and dynamic personality.

Andrew Moger

Andrew has been the President and CEO of Branded Concept Development (BCD) since he founded the company in 2001. He joined RIPCO as Vice Chairman in June 2022. BCD’s project management business was acquired by Watchdog Real Estate Project Managers in 2021. Previously, Andrew had been responsible for the development of branded restaurant and retail concepts across the United States and overseas. Until 2001, Andrew was the President and COO of Two Boots, an eight-unit pizza chain with flagship locations at New York’s Grand Central Station and Rockefeller Center. Prior to that, Andrew was Executive Vice President of Development for Crunch Fitness International. As one of five senior managers, he was responsible for all real estate acquisition and development and oversaw the growth of the company’s foodservice and retail segments. In addition, Andrew has served as Manager of Special Projects for Morton’s of Chicago. While at Morton’s, he was a member of the President’s Senior Staff. Andrew is a member of the board of directors of Metro Donut Holding Company, which is one of the largest franchisees of Dunkin’ in the world. He is also a member of the board of directors of Naya and Mighty Quinn’s BBQ. Previously, Andrew served as a member of the board of directors of Crumbs Bake Shop (Nasdaq), Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and ResQ. Andrew is an advisor to LunchBox, Mise, Next Gen Foods, Original Crumbs Bakeshop, SevenRooms, Sunboy, Tipsy Scoop, Drinks2Go, Raydiant, Slang.ai. Andrew’s additional previous and current investments include Aurify Brands (an owner of Melt Shop and Little Beet, as well as a franchisee of Five Guys Burgers), Kitchen United, Mexicue, Noma, Pop-Up Grocer, The Smith, and World Wrapps. He is also a co-founder of Melt Shop. Andrew is a former member of the board of directors of The Food Education Fund (FEF). FEF is a not-for-profit organization committed to supporting The Food and Finance High School in New York City. He was also the inaugural Real Estate and Development Advisor to The New York City Hospitality Alliance. Andrew is a licensed real estate broker in Connecticut and New York. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Nicholas Z. Froner, MA, MBA

Nicholas Z. Froner, MA, MBA, is the Co-Founder and Managing Director at MedicalBx, a boutique hospital provider dedicated to minimizing human suffering and enhancing health equity and justice through innovative medical solutions. He also serves as the CEO of GBT Global LLC, where he leads operations across the USA and Peru, specializing in the mining and construction industries of Latin America. His career began at Landmark Education as a production and facility manager, managing over 60 staff members and demonstrating his early leadership skills. An entrepreneur and inventor, Nicholas developed and secured an international patent for a revolutionary mining tool that enhances efficiency and reduces environmental impact, now adopted globally. He has also founded a company aimed at advancing the agricultural sector in Western Africa. Nicholas specializes in assisting corporations with their entry and expansion into the South American market, providing strategic guidance and leveraging his legal expertise in transactional contract law to ensure successful partnerships. He holds an MA from Hunter College, City University of New York, and an MBA from Oxford University, England. Nicholas is also a member of the prestigious Oxford Union and the Oxford and Cambridge Club of London.

Kevin Froner, PhD, Ed.M, MA

Dr. Kevin Froner is currently the Founding Director of The Gray Fellowship for Principal Excellence, a NYC principals’ program dedicated to transforming public schools within the NYC Department of Education. Kevin is also the award-winning principal of Manhattan Hunter Science, an early college high school in partnership with Hunter College-CUNY. Over the last seven years, during Kevin’s tenure, Manhattan Hunter Science has emerged as one of the top public schools in America and was ranked 17th in the nation by Newsweek for serving high-poverty populations. Kevin is the recipient of the NYC Ed Update Administrator of the Year Award and winner of the New York Nonprofit Media, 40 Under 40 Rising Stars Award, and the New York City Food Policy Center, 40 Under 40 Award for his efforts to bring a high-capacity hydroponics farm to the Martin Luther King Jr. Campus. Kevin holds graduate degrees from CUNY-Hunter College and Teachers College-Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in Urban Education from the CUNY-Graduate Center.

Subscribe To The Weekly Food & Nutrition News and Research Digest
The Center for Food As Medicine's weekly email news and research digest is everything you need to know about food, nutrition, fitness and health.
No Thanks
Thanks for signing up. You must confirm your email address before we can send you. Please check your email and follow the instructions.
We respect your privacy. Your information is safe and will NEVER be shared.
Don't miss out. Subscribe today.
×
×