Jim Dechert, Board Chair and Treasurer
Jim developed a passion for helping others develop leadership skills and achieve their career aspirations while working in the food ingredients business.  During the 20 years Jim spent in operations, his teams were recognized as global leaders in Safety and Plant Operations. Jim moved from leading North and South American operations to leading the Savory Business Unit.  After being acquired by Givaudan, Jim moved into the role of Sales Head NA. Jim retired in 2013 and returned to school to obtain an associate degree in Culinary Arts.  Jim met Suzy in 2016 and began volunteering for La Soupe. In addition to volunteering in the kitchen, he has taught La Soupe's Give-a-Crock program at Reading Lockland Presbyterian Church, Milford High School Academy, Boy/Girl Club Price Hill and Roll Hill School. Jim is currently the Board Chair and Treasurer for La Soupe.

Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue, an MBA from the University of Indianapolis, and an associate’s degree in Culinary Art from the Art Institute of Ohio, Cincinnati Campus.

Jessica Cotter, Secretary

Jessica is the Vice President of Operations at Mayfield Brain & Spine, with over 15 years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient environments, including payer operations.  She is thrilled to be a part of La Soupe and hopes her expertise in healthcare can aid particularly in the growth of the Food as Medicine and Food as Nourishment programs.

Jessica earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Dayton as well as a Master of Health Services Administration from Xavier University.


Mimi Dyer
Mimi is a full-time volunteer for various organizations, including ProKids, Kindervelt, and La Soupe. She was formerly a Business Analyst for Inslaw Inc., a computer software company specializing in developing tracking systems for Private and Public entities. Mimi worked in the private sector, specifically with corporate legal departments and claims litigation offices. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Hampshire. 


Julie Richardson
Julie has long been involved in community charitable and non-profit organizations such as the Indian Hill Swim Club, Kindervelt #50, Stepping Stones, Cincinnati Ballet, Indian Hill Lacrosse Association, and La Soupe. Having served on boards for each of these and as chair/co-chair for many of these organizations’ largest fundraisers, Julie has experience in event planning and fundraising. Julie received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Kentucky and spent over twenty years as a business professional focused in the areas of Benefits, Human Resources, and Mergers and Acquisitions at several companies, including Lab Corp of America and Cintas. Julie is affiliated with SugarCreek: Brandworthy Food Solutions.

Scott Miller
Scott is a Director of La Soupe, chairs our Nominating Committee, leads the strategic planning process at La Soupe, and is a board sponsor for La Soupe’s Inspire Network.  Scott is a technology entrepreneur specializing in business software applications.  He is also a director and investor of for-profit companies, Navistone LLC and Paycor HCM, Inc. Through his work as an Edmund Hillary Fellow, Scott is a founder of the Tolaga Evergreen Fund, which provides pathways to entrepreneurship for indigenous peoples.

Scott holds a B.S. in Accountancy from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Scott and his partner, Lori, are lifelong Cincinnatians.

Dan Knecht
Dan practices in the areas of Complex Business Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Construction and Environmental Litigation, Employment Litigation, Class Litigation, and appellate work.

Dan is a 2010 graduate of the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where he earned his J.D. He also earned a B.S. in Business from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business in 2005. As a Cincinnati native, Dan is glad to be practicing in his hometown and currently lives in North Avondale with his wife, Cicely, and two children.


Carley Riley
Carley, MD, MPP, MHS, is a physician-scientist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, where she cares for pediatric ICU patients and leads community-focused initiatives, including Community Systems Science and the Mayerson Child Well-being Initiative. Nationally, she co-leads CollectiveWELL and contributes to efforts like the Investing in Flourishing Design Team and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

Carley works to foster equitable health and well-being through community-led, cross-sector collaborations, with expertise in well-being, social determinants of health, co-creation, and systems science. She holds degrees from Northwestern, UCLA, and Yale, completed pediatric training at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Cincinnati Children’s, and was a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar. She is currently a Fellow with The Nova Institute for Health.