Summer Nutrition Summit - December 2024

Over the past twenty years, Anne Filipic has led consequential civic, philanthropic, and political efforts that have helped transform the nation. Most recently, she served as Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Management and Administration and the Office of Administration. In this role, Anne was responsible for building and maintaining the most diverse staff in White House history.

Prior to joining the White House, Anne was the Chief Program Officer at the Obama Foundation, where she developed global programs focused on civic engagement and leadership development. She also oversaw the integration of two major initiatives, My Brother’s Keeper and The Girls Opportunity Alliance, into the Obama Foundation.

Previously, Anne led Enroll America, a national healthcare coalition designed to support Americans in enrolling in and retaining healthcare coverage made available through the Affordable Care Act. Enroll America’s work supported a net increase of over 20 million Americans gaining healthcare coverage in under four years. In recognition of Enroll America’s impact, Anne was named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” by Modern Healthcare magazine.

Anne has also served as Deputy Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She started her career in electoral campaigns and advocacy, including holding leadership roles on President Obama’s 2008 campaign and serving as Field Director for the Obama Iowa caucus campaign.

Originally from Ohio, Anne is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband, Carlos, and their three young children.

Melissa Rothstein is the FNS Associate Administrator for the Child Nutrition Programs. Melissa has extensive experience in all aspects of the Child Nutrition Programs at the federal level, including policy, oversight and monitoring, analysis, and program research. She was instrumental in leading the development and implementation of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Across her more-than-30-year career at FNS, she has also held positions in Financial Management, Food Distribution, Management and Civil Rights, and also worked briefly in the private sector performing research on the Child Nutrition Programs. 

Chloe Green (she/her) is the Manager of Food and Nutrition Services at APHSA, where she leads federal nutrition policy and program strategy, focusing on SNAP and Summer EBT. She builds strategic partnerships, develops policy recommendations, and supports state SNAP agencies through peer-to-peer collaboration. Chloe is a former Bloomberg Fellow in Food Systems for Health, Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow, and Wisconsin Idea Fellow, bringing a wealth of experience in food justice and nutrition policy. She holds a Master of Public Health from the Bloomberg School of Public Health and bachelor’s degrees in Dietetics and Community & Environmental Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Zahava “Zee” Zaidoff (she, her) is a spouse and mother who has been living in Hawaii County for the past ten years. She is the founder of Hope808 consulting firm, where she is a Speaker, Trainer, and Writer. Zee holds several certifications including: Masters Level Registered Addiction Specialist and Certified Co-Occurring Disorder Specialist. Working with the LGBTQIA+ community, fighting for disability rights, creating an equitable and just federal and state benefits system, removing stigma from the behavioral health narratives, and focusing on youth suicide prevention are main focuses of Zee's advocacy and education work. Zee believes that authentic conversations and sharing of life experiences is the critical and missing piece in our systems, and that lived expertise must be both out-louded and elevated if lasting change is to be attained.

Marlena Hanson, a first-generation descendant of the White Earth Nation in Northwest, MN, is a devoted mother of four and a senior at Bemidji State University, pursing a degree in social work while obtaining her license in alcohol and drug counseling. Drawing from her own lived experiences, Marlena has cultivated deep empathy and passion for aiding her community, consistently sharing resources to support others. As a cohort one graduate of the Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative, Marela not only continues to advocate for her community but also services as a Phase One facilitator, guiding others through their own leadership journeys. She leverages her voice to effect change at both state and federal levels, providing an Indigenous perspective on various advisory councils throughout Minnesota. Marlena’s dedication lies in utilizing her platform to amplify Indigenous voices and perspectives, ensuring that her community’s needs are heard and addressed.

Cherise Billington is a strategic consultant with a powerful mission: to create a community where every family has access to sustainable food. As a mother of five and Abuela to three living in Vancouver, Washington, Cherise draws on both professional expertise and her own experiences with food insecurity to advocate for real change. Having faced hunger as a child and navigated food instability with her own family, Cherise’s work is fueled by a deep commitment to feed others with hope and compassion. She brings an inspiring voice to the table, dedicated to building solutions for families in need.

Emily Fulgham-Clay is a parent consultant with APHSA, an educator, and a proud alumna of the Parent Leadership Institute (PLTI). As a mother of three amazing children and a member of the Queer community, she advocates for inclusive language at all levels of the education system, focusing particularly on the diverse family structures of children and adult students. Emily and her family reside in New Orleans, Louisiana

Sky Beard serves as the Florida Director for No Kid Hungry where she is honored to lead a mission-driven team focused on addressing child hunger across the state. Sky has extensive experience working with schools and community organizations focused on child and family programming in Florida. As the Florida Director, Sky oversees the team’s strategic planning and program operations focused on increasing access to nutrition programs for children and their families.
Prior to joining No Kid Hungry, Sky served as the Executive Director of the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard County. In this role, she led a community-based organization serving early learning providers and Florida’s youngest learners. She was engaged in both local and statewide committees that worked with partners to enhance access and quality of early childhood education programs in Florida. Sky was also involved in state associations where she participated in legislative advocacy and state policy development. Prior to her 12 years in nonprofit early childhood education leadership, Sky was a Florida trainer for a national child abuse prevention program. She has managed programs focusing on access to prenatal care as well as programs that enhanced parent-child interaction and early identification of developmental delays in children. Sky is a strong advocate for ensuring that all children have an opportunity to benefit from existing services and championing additional programs when gaps in services are identified.
Sky is a native Floridian and is passionate about identifying approaches to tackle food insecurity in a state where she has such deep roots. Sky earned her Bachelor and Master of Social Work degrees from the University of Central Florida.

Marissa Spady is a Senior Manager on the state campaigns team for No Kid Hungry, supporting both Tennessee and South Carolina. Marissa has worked on the No Kid Hungry campaign for almost 8 years connecting with school nutrition directors, community-based organizations and partners across her states to support all children having access to 3 meals/day 365 days/year. 
Prior to her work at No Kid Hungry, Marissa spent 6 years working for a CACFP Childcare sponsor on various nutrition education for childcare providers as well as a childhood obesity and farm to childcare grant.
Marissa is a registered dietitian and completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition at East Tennessee State University. She lives in Chattanooga, TN with her husband and 2 children.
 

Craig Hagen has worked in the foodservice industry for over 45 years. He currently works as a Foodservice Director for Globe Unified School District.  Globe Unified School District’s enrollment is over 1,700 in 3 schools. Before his current role, Craig worked for the Jackson County School District for 7 years as the lead Manager at the high school.

Jessica Leggett has been the Florida Child Nutrition Manager for Feeding the Gulf Coast since February 2016. Prior to her work with Feeding the Gulf Coast, Mrs. Leggett worked for the State of Florida for 10+ years at the Department of Health and the Department of Children and Families. During her term with Feeding the Gulf Coast, Mrs. Leggett has added numerous sites to our after school meals, backpack, school pantry, and summer feeding programs. She has been awarded 4 Trailblazer awards from the Florida Department of Agriculture for innovation in the Summer Feeding Program. Mrs. Leggett graduated from the University of North Florida with a bachelor's degree in Community Health and a minor in Health Education.

Jason Petersen is the Warehouse Supervisor at Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains.  Jason has decades of warehouse logistics and Afterschool Programming experience. Since Jason joined the nutrition team, the Summer Feeding Program has tripled participation. Jason embodies servant leadership staying late or working weekends and considers no task beneath him to feed children. His team is proud he has this opportunity to share because they know Jason is special. As does his family and chickens back in Kodak, Tennessee. 

Donna Riviello is the Food Service Director for the Clyde-Savannah Central School District.  During her fourteen-year career with the district, she has implemented numerous programs for the district’s students including Breakfast in the Classroom, Breakfast After the Bell, After School Snack, Community Eligibility Provision and most recently, the non-congregate Summer Feeding Option.  Donna was named the NY State Director of the Year in the 2015/2016 school year.  She is a past president for the New York School Nutrition Association where she has served on the Board of Directors for nine years. 

Morgan McKinney (she/her) is the Senior Process Innovation Associate for Community Collaboration at APHSA, where she leads initiatives to improve access to public programs and streamline agency processes. Morgan specializes in participatory design and strengthening the capacity of government agencies to co-create equitable programs, products, and technologies in partnership with communities. She serves as a process innovation subject matter expert in APSHA’s Summer EBT work, supporting agencies in tech and data implementation to improve customer experience. Morgan is a former Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow, currently serves on the Congressional Hunger Center’s Alum Council, and is a graduate of Duke University.

Kara Williams (she/her) is the Policy Coordinator for Food and Nutrition Services at the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA), where she plays a central role in engaging and supporting states, territories, and Tribes involved in the Summer EBT program. Kara facilitates peer community spaces and collaborates with key stakeholders in the food and nutrition space to advance APHSA's Food and Nutrition policy initiatives. Her work includes conducting policy analysis, identifying best practices, and contributing to the development of strategic partnerships. Prior to joining APHSA, Kara spent eight years at Hunger Solutions New York, where she led efforts to enhance outreach and enrollment for SNAP and WIC. Kara holds a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the State University of New York at Albany.

Born and raised in New Mexico , Zachary Attended New Mexico Highlands University while playing football for the cowboys during college. After getting a start coaching football and working in the public school system, he has transitioned to NMHCA and Public service acting as SNAP coordinator for the State of New Mexico serving as the project lead on the group operating SUN Bucks in the State of NM.

Shannon Yearwood, Bureau Chief for the Connecticut State Department of Education’s Bureau of Child Nutrition Programs, has extensive knowledge and experience with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs and also state administered food and nutrition programs. Shannon previously served as the Executive Director of End Hunger Connecticut!, State Legislative Relations Manager at Feeding America, and as Public Policy Director of the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance. As Bureau Chief, Shannon also serves as the Child Nutrition State Director and provides oversight and administration of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Afterschool Snack Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, USDA Foods Programs, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Meal Programs, Special Milk Program, Healthy Food Certification, Equipment Assistance Grants, and the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) program.

Shannon Yearwood is the Bureau Chief for the Connecticut State Department of Education's Bureau of Child Nutrition Programs, where she oversees a range of USDA and State Child Nutrition Programs. With a background in policy and program administration, Shannon previously held roles as Executive Director of End Hunger Connecticut!, State Legislative Relations Manager at Feeding America, and Public Policy Director at the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance. In her current role, she manages key initiatives including the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Meal Programs, Healthy Food Certification, and the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) program, supporting nutrition and food access across Connecticut.
 

Over the past twenty years, Anne Filipic has led consequential civic, philanthropic, and political efforts that have helped transform the nation. Most recently, she served as Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Management and Administration and the Office of Administration. In this role, Anne was responsible for building and maintaining the most diverse staff in White House history.

Prior to joining the White House, Anne was the Chief Program Officer at the Obama Foundation, where she developed global programs focused on civic engagement and leadership development. She also oversaw the integration of two major initiatives, My Brother’s Keeper and The Girls Opportunity Alliance, into the Obama Foundation.

Previously, Anne led Enroll America, a national healthcare coalition designed to support Americans in enrolling in and retaining healthcare coverage made available through the Affordable Care Act. Enroll America’s work supported a net increase of over 20 million Americans gaining healthcare coverage in under four years. In recognition of Enroll America’s impact, Anne was named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” by Modern Healthcare magazine.

Anne has also served as Deputy Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She started her career in electoral campaigns and advocacy, including holding leadership roles on President Obama’s 2008 campaign and serving as Field Director for the Obama Iowa caucus campaign.

Originally from Ohio, Anne is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband, Carlos, and their three young children.

Kristen Campos is Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Mars Food & Nutrition North America, one of the largest manufacturers of rice brands, including Ben’s Original™, Seeds of Change™ and Tasty Bite.
Kristen is a member of the Mars Food & Nutrition North America business management team and is responsible for public affairs, internal communications, consumer care, and crisis management with a core focus on driving Mars Food & Nutrition's reputation through its purpose: Better Food Today. A Better World Tomorrow. As part of bringing this purpose to life, she also passionately leads communications initiatives aimed at enhancing the company's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.
With over 25 years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, and stakeholder engagement, Kristen has established herself as a thought leader in the Communications industry.
Kristen is also an advocate for diversity and inclusion and believes that diverse perspectives lead to more innovative solutions in tackling global challenges. Among Kristen’s notable career achievements is the rebrand of Ben's Original™, which proved her ability to navigate complex challenges and drive meaningful change. Through mentorship and community engagement, she seeks to inspire the next generation of leaders in sustainability and corporate responsibility.
Kristen started at Mars more than 13 years ago and has held corporate affairs leadership roles across the organization. Prior to Mars, Kristen spent 15 years in corporate communications across agency, consumer, B2B, and manufacturing companies, including United Airlines, Beam Suntory, Navistar, and Edelman.
As a recognized speaker and expert in her field, Kristen is dedicated to sharing her insights on Mars Food & Nutrition and the intersection of corporate affairs and sustainability, making a positive impact on communities and the environment.
 

Andrew “Kappy” Kaplan is a trusted culinary, hospitality, foodservice industry, food media and philanthropy professional. A professionally trained chef, Kappy is VP of Culinary Operations for the Rachael Ray brand and is the Co-Founder and Director of Yum-o!, Rachael Ray’s nonprofit organization focused on cooking education and ending childhood hunger in America. He is also the Host and Executive Producer of the Beyond the Plate and Clean Plate Club podcasts, and the Founder and CEO of Culinary Advisors LLC, a strategic culinary advisory service.
Prior to working with Rachael Ray, Kappy served as a project manager for the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, overseeing its headline events, including Kidz Kitchen and Burger Bash, while also producing the celebrity chef cooking demonstrations. Kappy has also provided freelance support in production for additional food and wine events in major US markets as well as China, Italy, Jamaica, and Mexico, such as the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado and the Chicago Entertaining Showcase.

Kappy is a professionally trained chef, earning his culinary degree from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA); a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Florida International University (FIU); and has deepened his background in nonprofit management as an attendee of the Stanford Nonprofit Management Institute.

Committed to community service and furthering culinary and food industry education and research, Kappy serves on the Leadership Council for Share Our Strength and the Chef Corps for World Central Kitchen. He has lectured at the CIA/Harvard Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives conference in Napa, CA, and FIU’s Tianjin University of Commerce in China and is a culinary industry expert for the Global Philanthropy Group.
 

Tyonka Perkins Rimawi is a Program Director with the Families and Workers Fund, a coalition of more than 25 diverse philanthropies working together to build an economy that uplifts everyone. Tyonka leads the Fund’s 21st Century Benefits impact area, collaborating with leaders across the public and private sectors to strengthen delivery of key services, such as public benefits, that effectively reduce poverty and propel economic opportunity when they are shaped to guarantee a base of economic security for all people. She also collaborates with the Fund’s Essential Leaders Council of diverse frontline workers and leaders who provide guidance on the Fund’s priorities and weigh in on grant prospects.

Tyonka has a track record leading innovative philanthropic initiatives focused on economic security, including a public-private partnership that launched the first fully funded flexible cash program for families working to overcome public benefits cliffs in order to achieve economic opportunity. She also led economic opportunity initiatives at Goodwill Industries International and the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning. Tyonka earned a BA in Journalism from Butler University and an MBA in Supply Chain Management from the University of Indianapolis.

Barry McGowan has served as Chief Executive Officer of Fogo de Chão since 2019, and previously served as the brand’s President from 2013–2018. Barry has over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, including more than 10 years with acclaimed brands like Brinker International. He served as Chief Operating Officer of Macaroni Grill from 2010 to 2013 and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Waterloo Restaurants from 2002 to 2010. With his prior experience, Barry brings a broad range of strategic leadership and operational knowledge to Fogo de Chão. Barry holds a B.S. in Hotel Restaurant Management from the University of North Texas and a Graduate Certificate in Finance from Southern Methodist University.

Wanting a new challenge, Karla Boudreaux Horton left her clinical nutrition roots and jumped into the world of school nutrition when she became the head of Bossier Parish Schools’ Child Nutrition Program in 2018.  Karla received her School Nutrition Specialist certification in 2023, currently serves as the SNA of Louisiana treasurer and has been honored as both a Patriot of the Pandemic and a 2024 Gold Star Recipient.  Known as the Energizer bunny in human form, she is passionate about nutrition, people, thinking “outside the box”, and teaching.  Whether it’s with a crazy story, nerdy fun fact, or sharing a memory hack, Karla is a dynamic speaker who strives to make learning and leadership fun.  
When she’s not working or on the go with her three teenagers, you can find Karla with her nose in a book, watching a documentary, or engaging in pavement therapy (aka running) with her two big dogs.
 

Sharon Muñoz is the Nutrition Specialist at Lodi Unified School District, where she played a key role in the implementation of the Rural Non-Congregate Program, serving over 250,000 meals across four service dates. With a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition Science from Purdue Global University and over 20 years of experience in food service, marketing, and event coordination, Sharon is dedicated to nutrition education. She has developed impactful farm-to-school agricultural programs, earning the 2024 One in a Melon Award for her contributions to the Farm to Summer initiative. Proud to serve the district that shaped her childhood, Sharon is committed to providing access to nutritious foods and combating child hunger in her community.

Diane Pain earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Alaska Pacific University and her Master’s Degree in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University. Currently she is the Director of School Nutrition for the Troup County School System where she has worked for the last ten years.  During this time, Diane has worked to increase access to healthy meals for students, starting the first summer meal program operated by Troup County Schools.  Prior to this, Diane worked as the Contract Compliance Supervisor overseeing the Nutrition Department for Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville, FL.  She also oversaw the operation of the Nutrition Service Center, a 69,000 square-foot central production facility and distribution center.

Veronica Stephens graduated of Berea College in Berea, KY where she obtained a bachelor's degree in Child Development. She has been with East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA) for 34 years. She has been involved with the Child Care Food Program and the Summer Food Program her entire career at ETHRA. As the Senior Program Director, she is responsible for all the Child Nutrition Programs.

Melissa grew up in LaGrange Ga, attended Troup County Schools and earned her Bachelor’s Degree at LaGrange College. Melissa now serves her community through the Troup County school nutrition program. After spending 14 years in the restaurant foodservice industry, she entered into K-12 Nutrition with Heard County School System, where she managed the High School for 4 years. She started her career in Troup County in August of 2017 as a Cafeteria Manager, then progressed as Assistant Dining Director, Dining Director and now in her current role as RDM. Melissa has used her extensive knowledge of the foodservice industry to bring a strong operational and business skill set to Troup County Schools. 

Elizabeth Campbell is the acting Director of External and Governmental Affairs for the Food and Nutrition Service. She is a registered dietitian with over twenty years of experience in the field of nutrition and food security. In her role at FNS, she worked with the team from the Office of Communications and External Engagement that developed the SunBucks Outreach Toolkit and the Sun Programs suite of resources.  

Christy joined Safeway in 2006 to work on teams to develop Just for U, the Promise campaign, and O Organics for Baby and Toddler launches. Christy became the Executive Director and President of Safeway Foundation, now called Albertsons Companies Foundation, in 2011. She manages all of Albertsons Companies’ philanthropic and community giving including initiating and spearheading the Nourishing Neighbors program. This program, in the last 10 years has raised and donated over $300 million and enabled over a billion meals for our neighbors in need. A Santa Clara University graduate, Christy worked previously at many NGO and nonprofit organizations, served in the Peace Corps, and worked in advertising at J. Walter Thompson. Christy believes in the power of local communities and has worked as a change agent to stretch the traditional roles of corporations beyond “giving back” to spark true impact and transformation.

Mariana Alvarez Joyal, Senior Manager for Media Relations and Engagement for the No Kid Hungry campaign, part of Share Our Strength. Venezuelan immigrant with more than 13 years of experience in communications and media, focused on coverage of social impact and development programs. In her role as national spokesperson for No Kid Hungry, focus on media amplification and strategy to reach immigrant Latino community with in-culture and in-language resources and information about new food programs and Summer EBT benefits to make sure all kids have access to the nutrition they need to thrive. 

Beth is a senior policy advisor with the Greater Chicago Food Depository where she leads the development and advancement of policies and thought leadership to strengthen federal nutrition programs and end hunger and its root causes. Her issue portfolio includes child nutrition, and the hunger-health connection e.g., social drivers of health. Prior to joining the Food Depository, Beth advocated for and analyzed state and federal policies that support children and families in achieving economic success. Through this lens, her work touched upon the areas of early childhood education, family economic security, health, and public budgeting at nonprofits and government offices in Chicago and Washington, DC. Beth holds a master’s degree in public policy and a certificate in municipal finance from the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy and a bachelor of arts in political economy from Georgetown University.

Sherry Tomasky serves as a SNAP Bureau Chief for the NYS Office for Temporary and Disability Assistance.  In this role, she is part of the Summer EBT implementation team, supporting outreach, promotion and administration. In addition, she provides policy and operational support for the State’s SNAP program, including policy guidance development, waivers, reporting, special projects and communications.

Chloe Green (she/her) is the Manager of Food and Nutrition Services at APHSA, where she leads federal nutrition policy and program strategy, focusing on SNAP and Summer EBT. She builds strategic partnerships, develops policy recommendations, and supports state SNAP agencies through peer-to-peer collaboration. Chloe is a former Bloomberg Fellow in Food Systems for Health, Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow, and Wisconsin Idea Fellow, bringing a wealth of experience in food justice and nutrition policy. She holds a Master of Public Health from the Bloomberg School of Public Health and bachelor’s degrees in Dietetics and Community & Environmental Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dan has worked in the different aspects of the state government for nearly 17 years. In 2017, Dan began serving as the SNAP Director for the Connecticut Department of Social Services, that serves over 476,000 Connecticut residents annually. In April 2023, Dan was tapped to oversee DSS’ Program Oversight & Grants Administration Division adding Medicaid Eligibility, Cash Assistance, Energy Assistance & Block Grants to his work in SNAP policy. Dan has been instrumental in the modernization of the agency’s benefits eligibility platforms and technologies, including a texting platform and the MyDSS Progressive Web App, and strives to improve the client experience for CT residents. Dan is nationally recognized for his work on the SNAP program having testified before Congress and participated in the White House working group on safety net innovation, is a member of the American Association of SNAP Directors Executive Advisory Council, CT Food Policy Council, Governor’s Workforce Council, and CT Legislature’s Human Services Committee Food is Medicine Work Group.

Ashley Puffenbarger has worked for the Department of Human Services for 12 years, she is currently the Program Manager of SNAP, SNAP-Ed, SNAP E&T, SNAP Outreach, and Summer EBT for the state of West Virginia. Ashley holds a Bachelor's degree from West Virginia University in Public Service Administration. Ashley also holds a Master's certification in Managing for Excellence. Ashley is very proud to have stood up WV's first Summer EBT program with a shoestring budget and a big vision for the future. Ashley resides in Dunbar, WV with her husband Jon and their four children.

Victoria has spent the past two years working on the Summer EBT program for the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). As the Summer EBT Specialist, she collaborates closely with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to ensure that families and school personnel receive timely benefits and essential information. Before joining MDE, Victoria spent five years at the Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI), where she contributed to the collection and reporting of Michigan's education data. She also brings eight years of diverse experience from her time at MDHHS. This extensive background has been instrumental in fostering strong communication between the three departments and driving the successful launch of the Summer EBT program.

Michele B. Thomas (she/her) is employed with the Virginia Department Social Services as the Program Manager of Food and Nutrition. Her responsibilities include managing the programmatic and operational aspects of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), SNAP Outreach, SNAP Education, and Summer EBT. Michele leads a team of fifteen along with multiple contracted entities. Michele has master’s certificates in Strategic Organizational Leadership, Leadership & Management, and is a graduate of the Commonwealth Management Institute. She also holds under-graduate degrees in Public Administration and Business Management. Her over twenty years of experience extends to the administration of other benefit programs, Information Systems as well as extensive work with Adult Service programs. She received nominations for the Governor and Commissioner’s awards for Excellence in Public Service for her work with Pandemic EBT as well as executive recognition for contributions to the success of Medicaid Expansion and Summer EBT. Service to family, friends, and community are an ongoing theme in her life. Her favorite quote is attributed to Billie Holiday, “Difficult I can do; impossible takes a little longer.” 

Brandi Hale is the inaugural Director of Community Relations at Salad and Go and the Executive Director of Salad and Go Charities. During the company's startup phase, she successfully built teams and developed systems for Leadership Development, Culture, Recruiting, and Community Programs. Prior to Salad and Go, Brandi dedicated over 17 years to Ronald McDonald House Charities in Latin America. She is passionate about fostering a positive organizational culture and translating compassion into impactful action within the communities served.

Ben is responsible for helping to implement Kellanova’s Better Days™ Promise, focusing on the intersection of equitable access to food systems within our global signature purpose platform. He works closely with business and non-profit partners to drive impact through our brands and customers. He also leads employee engagement with community partners and our business employee resource groups. He held roles previously at United Way Worldwide and the U.S. Senate, focusing his career on social impact and equitable opportunity for all.

Alayna Sullivan is the Director of Corporate Communications and Brand Marketing at Olo (NYSE: OLO), a leading restaurant technology provider. She has served in this role since March 2021, where she drives effective and authentic communication of the brand story and strategic company messaging across all external and internal channels. Alayna also serves as a chair on the Olo for Good committee, helping Olo do good while doing well. Previously, Alayna held marketing roles at Darden Restaurants, Hilton, PepsiCo, and Total Wine & More.

Jody has been a Food & Nutrition director for 6 years. His program has received several state & national awards with the most recent acknowledgement of being a 2024 Summer Hunger Hero. He has a bachelor's degree in business management from Western Illinois University. Jody has over 30 years of experience in the food service industry.

Samantha “Sam” Daniels is the Director of Community Impact for Second Harvest of the Big Bend in Tallahassee, FL. Sam has a passion for identifying and addressing food insecurity as well as building and improving programs that serve our community’s most vulnerable populations, children and seniors. After graduating from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition, Sam started her career as the Child Nutrition Programs Coordinator at Second Harvest of the Big Bend where she assisted in starting the first mobile meal delivery service for kids, known as Food on the Move. Sam has also trained and assisted community organizations throughout the state in administering the Summer Food Service Program for kids as a Program Specialist for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Since starting back with Second Harvest in January 2020, she has grown and nurtured a team of talented and diverse individuals to coordinate the foodbank’s programs and agency relations departments that fall under her supervision.

Marlena Hanson, a first-generation descendant of the White Earth Nation in Northwest, MN, is a devoted mother of four and a senior at Bemidji State University, pursing a degree in social work while obtaining her license in alcohol and drug counseling. Drawing from her own lived experiences, Marlena has cultivated deep empathy and passion for aiding her community, consistently sharing resources to support others. As a cohort one graduate of the Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative, Marela not only continues to advocate for her community but also services as a Phase One facilitator, guiding others through their own leadership journeys. She leverages her voice to effect change at both state and federal levels, providing an Indigenous perspective on various advisory councils throughout Minnesota. Marlena’s dedication lies in utilizing her platform to amplify Indigenous voices and perspectives, ensuring that her community’s needs are heard and addressed.

Melissa Hill is the Nutrition Education and Programs Manager at Second Harvest of the Big Bend, where she oversees the food bank’s children’s programs, nutrition education, and senior initiatives. With a dual bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (K-6) and Special Education (K-12), Melissa’s educational background enhances her ability to support diverse communities and effectively manage programs that promote healthy eating and food security. She is dedicated to improving access to nutrition education for both youth and seniors. Recently, Melissa was recognized as a Summer Hunger Hero by No Kid Hungry/Share Our Strength for her efforts in combating childhood hunger. Her work is driven by a passion for making a positive impact on the well-being of those in need.

Samie is the Senior Associate Director at the Osage Prairie YMCA. She graduated from Pittsburg State University with a bachelor's in Social Work and earned her MBA from Ottawa University. She plays a crucial role in overseeing all food programs for her Y and has nearly five years of experience with CACFP and SFSP. Samie has also led her YMCA's "Grocery Grabs” (currently known as rural non-congregate meal service) initiative, which provided over 2.2 million meals from 2020 to 2022 in a community of just 8,500 residents. She is an active member of the Anti-Hunger Leader Cohort and serves as the Food Program Facilitator for YUSA.

Amanda West, Child Nutrition Director for Monticello School District. I have lived in Southeast Arkansas most of my life. I'm married to my best friend Tim. I have one daughter, one bonus son & two grand kids. I have worked in food service for 35 years, twenty of those years with the Warren School District and this is my fifth year with Monticello School District. 
I’m on my 2nd term as President for the Arkansas School Nutrition Association.
In my spare time, I enjoy being outdoors hunting with my husband, playing golf, running etc. I'm a certified Spin Instructor & teach classes at our local YMCA.
I'm very passionate about feeding our kids healthy meals in a positive atmosphere and reaching kids in our community.
In 2021 Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance awarded me acting out against hunger award and 2024 I was awarded Summer Hunger Hero.
I advocate for our Child Nutrition programs and hope to make a difference because one kid hungry is one kid too many!

Mai Abdullah is the Executive Director of Refugees Helping Refugees, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Rochester’s refugee community through self-determination and self-reliance. With a strong commitment to public service and extensive experience in the non-profit sector, Mai advocates for marginalized communities, ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities for sustainable development. 
Mai is currently serving as the V. President of the board of Education of the Rush-Henrietta Central School District. 
Mai holds a master's degree in environmental health and safety management from Rochester Institute of Technology, complemented by a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace from the University of South Florida. She is a distinguished alumna of the YWCA Equity Through Development program, a member of the Leadership Rochester class of 2023, and has completed the Parent Leadership Training Institute.
 

Brigette Hires is the Administrator of the Office of Nutrition at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. The Office of Nutrition houses NSLP/SBP, CACFP, SFSP, FFVP and USDA Foods in Ohio. Brigette has been with the Office in different capacities for over 19 years. Brigette has a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University and a Master’s degree and PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Kentucky and is a Registered Dietitian.

Kat is a Registered Dietitian with over 22 years of experience improving public school food and nutrition education. Her focus has been on providing fresh, scratch-made meals while implementing sustainable practices.

At Tahoe Truckee Unified School District for the past 13 years, Kat has spearheaded initiatives such as:

• Implementing the first ever Seamless Summer programs, annually since 2012.
• Eliminating milk cartons in favor of dispensers with California hormone-free milk
• Sourcing organic and local produce
• Transitioning to fully regenerative meats
• Collaborating with the local food hub to develop high-quality, organic, and locally-sourced recipes

By prioritizing access to nutritious food, Kat is addressing a critical social justice issue. Her work has earned recognition, including the 2023 Innovation Award from the Center for Ecoliteracy. Kat earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Nutrition and Biochemistry from Cal Poly Pomona along with a degree in mathematics.

Jada Curd is a second-year undergraduate student at Vanderbilt University, double majoring in Economics and Public Policy. Alongside being a student, she currently serves on the GENYOUTh Youth Insights Advisory Council and the Share the Magic Educator Advisory Board. She is also a champion for organizations such as No Kid Hungry, all positions that support her work in granting opportunity access to under-resourced communities. Using lived experience as her guide, Jada is recognized nationally as a public speaker and advocate in both the education and school nutrition spaces.

Martin is the retired director of the Burke County (GA) school nutrition program. Martin served as the Academy’s President in 2017-2018.  Martin is a graduate of the University of Georgia and earned a master’s degree from the University of Alabama – Birmingham and an education specialist degree from Augusta University. 
In 2016, Donna’s work in the Burke County Public Schools nutrition program gained national attention when Michelle Obama and Al Roker visited Burke County to help plant a school garden. Donna was then invited to speak at the White House for Michelle Obama’s capstone event.  Donna was also awarded the 2016 Golden Radish Award for the state of Georgia because of her efforts in the Farm to School Movement.  Donna has been involved in numerous public policy initiatives including testifying before Congress about the new School Nutrition Standards and to the House of Representatives Staff on the Farm to School Bill.  Donna got to speak at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health on the importance of School Meals.   
Donna is on the GenYouth Board of Directors, The Chef Ann Foundation Advisory Board, is a National Dairy Ambassador, a No Kid Hungry Consultant and a trainer for the Institute of Child Nutrition.
 

Makiya McNear is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Kentucky, majoring in psychology. She is also a part of the Lewis Honors College. This past summer, she worked for her former school district, Frankfort Independent Schools, as their Youth Ambassador for the summer meals program.

With over 10 years of experience in school nutrition, Amy White is entering her third year as the Food Service Director at Frankfort Independent Schools. She is dedicated to ensuring nutritious meals for students, driving forward innovative initiatives to support the health and wellness of her school community.

Amy’s background includes a robust foundation in science and agriculture, having worked as a radioactive chemist for the state for nine years before transitioning to school nutrition. Her work reflects a deep commitment to both the present needs and future health of her students and community. She has successfully managed several impactful projects, including a Farm to School grant, an HMI grant, and the No Kid Hungry Youth Ambassador program, for which she has received an award two years in a row. Additionally, Amy was honored with the Trailblazer Award for her leadership in lowering sodium, increasing scratch cooking, and incorporating more fresh produce into school meals. She also received the "Turn Up the Beet" Award for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

This past summer, her team served over 91,000 meals to 1,011 children across 430 families, with 84,000 of these meals provided in a non-congregate format. Her commitment to sourcing local produce resulted in 54,000 servings of fresh produce, including 13,000 sourced directly from local farmers.

Amy is married to the lead custodian and high school basketball coach at Frankfort Independent Schools. They have three children, aged 15, 12, and nearly 2. Outside of her professional role, Amy’s life is centered around her family and responsibilities, balancing the daily needs of work and home with a future-focused mindset. She believes that "everything in life has a cause and effect," which guides her approach to both her family life and her work in school nutrition.

Candy has been Child Nutrition Director for 30 years, and is a member and committee chair for Texas Association of School Nutrition, Officer for the Central Texas Food Service Association, Member of the School Nutrition Association SNA, Child Nutrition Presenter and Trainer for 20 years. Advocate for Non Congregate Summer Feeding Program, Serving Summer Meals for 30 years. 

Lucretia has over 22 years of experience in child nutrition programs. She began her career as a child nutrition program manager, which gives her a unique perspective as an administrator.  Lucretia fosters an ethos of thriving student health and learning through delicious, quality meals served with 10 scoops of love. In 2015, she started the first summer feeding bus program in the state of Louisiana and is now expanding summer meals through self-prep meal boxes for non-congregate feeding in rural communities. Lucretia received her B.S in Dietetics from Southern University, M.S. in Food Science & Human Nutrition from Colorado State University, and completed her dietetic internship at Tulane University. She has served three terms as the School Nutrition Association of Louisiana president and is currently the Director of Child Nutrition for St. Landry Parish School Board in Opelousas, Louisiana.