Marie Rama has worked almost exclusively in the food industry as a pastry chef, recipe developer, public relations account manager, food product developer, and spokesperson for national food brands like Tabasco Pepper Sauce, Korbel Champagne, The Chocolate Manufacturer’s Assoc., and Sunkist Growers. She is the co-author of six best-selling cookbooks, and also created Hudson Green, a food company that sold specialty pasta sauces in Whole Foods, Wegmans, Mom’s Organic, and other markets.  Rama detoured from the food world to earn a Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from Manhattanville College. She taught English at Edgemont High School and John Jay Middle School.   

 

After moving from Bronxville in 2007 to Park Hill, Rama connected with members of the Yonkers community by reaching out to YPIE’s new Executive Director, Wendy Nadel.  They hosted a coffee for parents who were eager to support YPIE’s programing and mission.  Like Rama, many of these people continue to serve YPIE and our students as mentors and donors. 

 

Rama served on the YPIE Board from 2011 to 2017, and has personally overseen the admission and college graduations of more than 14 YPIE mentees. In 2013 she received The Volunteer Center of United Way Education and Literacy Award, and in 2021 The Wendy Nadel Volunteer Legacy Award for her impact on the lives of YPIE students. 

 

Rama looks forward to working with the YPIE staff and its more than 200 volunteers to build a new career counseling initiative that will connect professionals across all fields to our talented college graduates. 

 

Rama thanks the YPIE Board, Sam Wallis, Ellen Cutler Levy and Wendy Nadel for their support, trust, and friendship. She thanks her students for inspiring her with their hard work and for sharing so much of their lives with her these past 16 years; and she thanks her family for generously supporting YPIE and for listening graciously to many stories about this incredible organization and its community of wonderful people. 

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Learn more about the YPIE Annual Gala.

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