Bailey is an Oklahoma native who is passionate about policy, community development, and sustainable solutions to poverty and inequality. Bailey became interested in nonprofit work and food security while completing her undergraduate and graduate degrees at OU. In 2019, she worked as a consultant with the Oklahoma Group to improve donor management and tracking with an Oklahoma-based homeless youth shelter. Her background in international studies enabled her study both international and domestic policy and participate on research projects centering on international development and foreign assistance. Her most recent contribution was authoring several sections of an advisory report for the U.S. Anti-Corruption Commission. In her free time Bailey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, taking care of her plants, and rock climbing.
Eric joined the Hunger Free Oklahoma team in October of 2021. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma he spent his formative years in Texas before a 4-year enlistment in the US Air Force. He moved back to Oklahoma in 2018. His previous experience was working with unhoused veterans to help them build skills to find and keep gainful employment. During that time, he saw how hunger impacted housing and employment. His belief that food is a human right drives him to want to end hunger in Oklahoma. Eric holds a BS in Political Science from Troy University.
(918) 264-0693
Chris, a proud native of Oklahoma, became part of Hunger Free Oklahoma in December of 2017. With a robust background in policy, advocacy, legislative strategy, and program implementation, Chris brings invaluable expertise to the organization. Chris’s track record includes building scalable solutions to complex societal problems including the areas of public safety, public health, and food insecurity in Oklahoma. “Scale it or fail it” is Chris’ mantra. This has resulted in the expansion of the Double Up Oklahoma (DUO) program, for example, a statewide nutrition incentive program that encourages fruit and vegetable purchases among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants, the creation of a statewide SNAP Outreach plan in Oklahoma and multiple large scale emergency response efforts.
In 2023, Chris was honored with the Rodney Bivens Innovation Award by the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to the field. Additionally, he was named among The Journal Record’s Most Admired CEOs in 2023 and the Most Admired Nonprofit CEO in 2021. Chris was a member of Leadership Oklahoma Class 35 and is a Lifetime member of the organization..
Chris earned his BA from the University of Texas at Austin and furthered his education by obtaining a JD from Northwestern University School of Law.
(918) 591-2491
Michelle Brobston joined the Hunger Free Oklahoma team in March of 2017. Michelle brings experience in board relations, data systems, project management, and quality improvement. Michelle started her career working at nonprofit camp and conference centers in Oklahoma and then in Florida, returning to her native Tulsa in 2014 to work for a local nonprofit. Passionate about efficiency and effectiveness, Michelle works to ensure smooth organizational operation of Hunger Free Oklahoma. Michelle earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from DePauw University in Greencastle, IN.
I joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in December of 2024. I grew up in Broken Arrow and graduated from Broken Arrow High School. I attended Oklahoma State University where I received a BS in Family Relations and Child Development with an emphasis in Individual, Family, and Child Services. I then went on to receive an MS in Child and Family Studies from the University of Central Oklahoma. After working for the Oklahoma State Department of Health for several years, I made the switch to the nonprofit sector where I have worked for the past 14 years. In my free time, I enjoy watching my daughters participate in their respective sports and reading a good book.
(918) 340-9098
Gia joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in January of 2018. With over a decade of nonprofit experience, Gia has served in various capacities from direct service to fundraising. In her current role, Gia is a Salesforce administrator and data analyst, overseeing data processes, data visualization, and translating complex information into easily understandable formats. Gia has a BA in Economics, BA in Sociology from the University of California Santa Barbara, and an MPA from the University of Oklahoma with a concentration in nonprofit management. With a personal interest in programming, Gia is also a graduate of OK Coders 2022 cohort. In her free time, Gia enjoys running, baking, and taking care of her plants.
(918) 591-2491
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Sara spent over a decade in San Francisco before embracing the wisdom of Dorothy Gale: “There’s no place like home.” With more than 20 years of experience in operations and organizational support, she now applies her expertise as the Operations Manager at Hunger Free Oklahoma (HFO), streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and ensuring a seamless experience to advance the organization’s mission of ending hunger in Oklahoma. In addition to overseeing operational functions, she plays a key role in HR processes, including onboarding, policy development, and employee support.
Sara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Photojournalism from the University of Central Oklahoma and studied fine art at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Her professional background spans multiple industries, including the arts, law, animal medicine, architecture, and nonprofit sectors. However, animals remain her favorite colleagues for their pure spirits and zest for life! In her free time, Sara’s current passions include roller skating, rowing, and befriending every dog she meets.
Richard Comeau joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in November of 2016. Richard is a native Texan who now calls Tulsa home. He brings an extensive background in food policy having worked in Congress on agricultural and food policy and as a Fellow at the American Frozen Food Institute studying food science and regulatory issues. Most recently, Richard served as the Regional Director of the Texas Hunger Initiative’s Fort Worth Office where he translated his technical background in food production to issues of food access. As the Regional Director, Richard led operations in a 25 county region including convening and leading multiple successful coalitions, affecting city and county wide legislative reform, and administering multiple programs aimed at increasing access to food for our most vulnerable populations.
Richard holds a BS in Agriculture from Texas A&M University and a MPA from the Bush School of Government and Public Service.
(405) 546-9084
Jessica Dietrich joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in January of 2020. She is a proud lifelong Oklahoma City resident. Jessica brings diverse experience in public policy and issue advocacy, including a background in the issue areas of healthcare, business, and real estate. Jessica enjoys harnessing her experience to build and activate networks for strategic public policy initiatives.
Jessica holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oklahoma City University.
(918) 591-2491
Shelley Faust joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in July of 2023. Shelley enjoys organizing and looking for ways to make processes easier and more efficient. Although she is a fifth-generation Texan, she realizes she must now call Tulsa home since she moved here in 1996. She and her husband have three young adult children and are stepping into the “empty nest” phase of life. Shelley has a degree in Geology from West Texas A&M University.
Kathryn Galier, also known as Kat, is a dedicated advocate for local food systems. Born and raised in Oklahoma, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from Oklahoma State University. Her career in the nonprofit sector has been marked by roles such as AmeriCorps Nutrition Education and Support Coordinator at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and Farmers Market Manager at Scissortail Park Foundation. Kat is looking forward to using her experience and skills to support existing DUO firms and expand the program’s reach to new communities.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Kat finds joy spending time with her friends, family, and dogs. She has two personal pups – a pit mix and a basset hound, but also fosters dogs through OK Humane- which keeps her busy! She also enjoys cooking, kayaking, and crafting.
Hi, my name is Allycia Harris-Whitekiller, and I’ve been part of the Hunger Free Oklahoma team since September 2020. As a proud native of Oklahoma, born and raised in the Tulsa area, I bring over 15 years of experience in customer service, management, and administration. In my role as the SNAP Hotline Manager, I focus on ensuring high-quality program implementation, maintaining compliance, and providing exceptional support to help families access critical resources. Outside of work, I’m a mother of seven and deeply passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of others. I believe in the power of better nutrition and healthier lifestyle choices to transform lives. I also love to travel, experience new cultures, and capture the world’s beauty through photography—all of which inspire me to bring fresh perspectives and creativity to everything I do.
Emily Heugatter (she/her) joins the dynamic team at Hunger Free Oklahoma from the world of higher education and the professional arts. Prior to her time at HFO, she served as Head of BFA Performance and Professor of Shakespeare and Period Styles in the Theatre Arts Department at the University of Central Oklahoma. She has also served on faculty at Centenary College of Louisiana, and taught master classes at various universities, studios, schools, theatres, and conferences around the country. She is the 2015 national recipient of the Award for Innovation in Teaching from the Association of Theatre in Higher Education; the 2017 recipient of the award for Outstanding Research, Creative, and Scholarly Activities at UCO; and her work has received multiple awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. In addition to her teaching career, Emily spent decades working as a professional Equity actor and director on regional, national, and international stages. Emily holds an MFA in Acting from DePaul University in Chicago; a BFA in Acting from the Actor Training Program at the University of Utah; and is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, UK. Emily is a Shakespeare nerd and at-home Jeopardy champion who enjoys spending time with family and friends, community service and activism, gardening, and restoring historic homes.
Leah joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in February 2025. An Oklahoma City native, she moved to the Austin, Texas area to attend Southwestern University, where she earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies. She served a year with the national non-profit FoodCorps, leading garden and food-justice based education for youth in the greater Boston area. Food has been a central thread throughout Leah’s career. She has worked for food access and education non-profits, on farms, in restaurants, and within the CPG and food-tech spaces. She also co-founded a company focused on creating sustainable, nutrient-dense snacks made with cricket flour. Leah lives in Oklahoma City with her husband and daughter. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, live music, trying new restaurants, and cheering for the OKC Thunder.
Narine Lambert joined the Hunger Free Oklahoma team in March 2022. She was born in Armenia, but was raised by her aunt in Ukraine. Narine has received Master of Accounting and Audit from the Poltava State Agrarian Academy, and she knows four languages: English, Russian, Ukrainian, and Armenian. Narine has 10 years’ experience in the accounting field, six years’ experience in the nonprofit sector including Federal and State contracts, and administrative work. She moved to the USA in 2009, is married, and has two wonderful kids. Narine likes cooking and spending time with family and friends and attending her children’s extracurricular activities.
Lauran Larson brings over 11 years of dedicated public service experience spanning social services, community-level public health, and state-level public health. Her career has been defined by a commitment to enhancing access to nutritious foods and addressing disparities through strategic policy and implementation initiatives.
She joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in July 2024 as Senior Manager of Food and Health, where she continues her work unifying efforts to increase access to evidence-informed “Food is Medicine” programs and nutritious food access. Her role underscores her passion for unifying efforts across sectors to drive impactful change.
Lauran holds a Master of Prevention Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Oklahoma. She’s currently working on her Doctor of Public Health, focusing on nutrition security. She’s also part of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative in the Food Systems for Health focus area. Outside of work, Lauran enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, and her hobbies include jogging, volunteering with Girl Scouts, and swimming.
(405) 850-0467
Melissa Marshall joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in November 2021. From Oklahoma City, Melissa’s favorite things are dogs, hikes among the trees, and a good cup of coffee. She has a background in communications, marketing, and nonprofit management. While new to the food security sector, Melissa hopes to leverage her creative skills to further the goals of Hunger Free Oklahoma by reaching new audiences, building awareness, and reducing the stigma associated with food security programs. Melissa has a diverse education background in journalism photography, veterinary technology, and canine behavior and training. She shares her life with her husband and their 85-pound Great Pyrenees mix, Skye.
Jennifer Mayo is the Senior Development Specialist at Hunger Free Oklahoma, where she supports fundraising efforts that advance the organization’s mission to end hunger across the state. With eight years of experience in nonprofit development, Jennifer has worked with organizations such as Water4, the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, DC, United Way of Central Oklahoma and Canadian County, and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Her work has focused on philanthropy, corporate partnerships, and strategic fundraising initiatives. A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in health education and promotion and a master’s degree in entrepreneurship. She is also a fellow of the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship and a University Innovation Fellow, with recognition as a TEDxOSU speaker, a World Creativity speaker, and an Oklahoma 30 Under 30 honoree. Jennifer is a founding board member of PeriodOKC, where she helped lead Oklahoma’s first rally for menstrual equity in 2019. She and her husband have also served as foster parents and remain active in the Oklahoma City community, including real estate development and design projects. Her personal experience with free and reduced-price meals throughout her K-12 education fuels her commitment to ensure every child has access to nutritious food. Jennifer lives in Oklahoma City with her husband, two daughters, a dog, and a 50-pound Sulcata tortoise.
Cherise Montgomery, a dedicated advocate for access and equity, joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in December 2024, bringing with her a wealth of experience and passion for community impact. A Tulsa resident since 2014, Cherise has spent her career in tech and social media recruiting, focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives to ensure equitable hiring practices. With over 10 years of experience in providing top-tier customer service, organizational structure support, and project coordination, she is well-equipped to make a meaningful impact on the community. Cherise is particularly excited about the Summer EBT program, recognizing the significant positive effect it will have on families in need. Her deep passion for ensuring access for all drives her work and involvement in initiatives aimed at reducing hunger and increasing opportunities for underrepresented groups. Born in California and raised in Louisiana, Cherise now enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children in Broken Arrow, OK. In her free time, she enjoys completing diamond art projects, diving into true crime stories through books, podcasts, and documentaries, and indulging in her love for shopping.
Ahmed Omar joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in January of 2023. Born in Egypt, he has called Oklahoma his home since 2013. Omar brings nearly a decade of nonprofit experience in the areas of education, operations, and project management. An advocate of social justice and equitable access to high-quality education, healthcare, housing, and nutrition for all, he is driven to play his part to end hunger in Oklahoma. Omar holds a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication/Theatre from the American University in Cairo, a BA in Music from Oklahoma State University, and an MM in Music Performance from the University of Denver.
AmyLee Pettis joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in December of 2024 and is excited to work toward food security for families across Oklahoma. She brings with her a lengthy background in public and nonprofit administration, with focus on program development and implementation. After 10 years in the Army, she returned to school and received her MPA with certification in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy. In her spare time, AmyLee enjoys time with her husband of 20 years and watching her two girls begin their journeys into adulthood. She also loves to write and perform music.
Jenn Player joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in January of 2025. Jenn brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team from her diverse background in business, education, and non-profit leadership. Jenn has spent the past 12 years working with industry leading nonprofits serving the marginalized, food-insecure, and unhoused populations across Colorado, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Having seen how food insecurity affects children and families firsthand, Jenn is excited to join the collaboration to make sure that kids in Oklahoma have enough food every day to thrive. Born and raised in southern Missouri, Jenn currently lives with her husband in Pawhuska where they actively work to impact food-insecurity locally. When not at work Jenn enjoys spending time with her 2 dogs, traveling to new adventures, photography, and drinking lots of iced coffee.
(405) 403-1923
Katie Raymond joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in February 2019. Katie was born and raised in central Oklahoma and brings knowledge of nutrition and public health to the team. She served a year in a public school district with the national nonprofit FoodCorps, leading hands-on lessons, influencing healthful school meals, and promoting a district-wide culture of health. She spent her two years of graduate school working with the campus food pantry and food recovery programs where she worked in program coordination, community collaboration, and engaging new stakeholders. Katie loves working with Hunger Free Oklahoma to help ensure her fellow Oklahomans have access to adequate, appropriate, and nourishing food. Katie also has culinary training and dreams of owning her own bakery one day.
Katie received both her BS in Human Nutrition and MS in Community Health Promotion from the University of Arkansas. She completed her dietetic internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Chandy Rice is excited to join the HFO team in 2025! Working in nonprofits has been her lifelong passion.
Her career began right out of college at Cross & Crown Mission in downtown OKC, where she worked with teen moms and gang-involved females. She then spent 12 years at the Oklahoma Restaurant Association as Director of Programs, during which she earned her IOM and CAE certifications. In 2020, amid the pandemic, Chandy transitioned to the role of Senior Director of Development at Pivot, a nonprofit serving homeless youth. During her time at Pivot, she was proud to manage the development of 41 Tiny Homes and launch a social enterprise, Pivot Preserves, a jam company. These two projects stand out as some of her greatest career achievements.
On a personal note, Chandy lives on a small farm in Mustang, OK, with her husband, Tanner, an estate planning attorney, and their three children: Ruby (10), Maggie (8), and Shelton (6). The family shares their home with three dogs—George, Reba, and Mo—one cat, Hazel, and a variety of chickens. As a family, they love spending time outdoors, particularly traveling in their camper, hiking, and kayaking. Their favorite destination is Colorado, especially Ouray, where they have a family home. When they’re in OKC, you’ll likely find them enjoying a craft beer at a local brewery—a passion they all share. They’re also deeply involved in their local church, living out their faith by loving everyone, all the time!
Sam Russell joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in February 2024. An Oklahoma resident with deep roots in community service, Sam brings extensive experience in grant management and program development. Prior to joining HFO, he managed federal and state grant programs at the District Attorney’s Council and served as the Grants Manager at YWCA Oklahoma City. His background spans both public and nonprofit sectors, with a particular focus on community engagement and program compliance. Sam holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Mississippi, where his honors thesis explored community development through tourism partnerships. His diverse professional experience, from managing large-scale grant programs to coordinating community initiatives, reflects his commitment to public service and community impact. Sam believes in the power of effective grant management to create lasting positive change in communities. Outside of work, Sam enjoys exploring Oklahoma City and engaging with local community events.
(918) 340-9082
Devin joined the Hunger Free Oklahoma team in November of 2017. She is a native Oklahoman, born and raised in Lawton. Devin brings experience in education, program management, advocacy, and child nutrition programs. After completing a year in AmeriCorps NCCC, Devin spent five years in the classroom, teaching 2nd and 4th grades in Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma. Most recently, Devin worked at Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma where she collaborated with partner organizations to expand the Food Bank’s programs that provide nutritious meals to youth in afterschool and summer programs. In her role at Hunger Free Oklahoma, Devin is excited to work with organizations and schools to ensure that children and teens across the state have the food they need to grow, learn, and thrive.
Devin earned a BA in English from University of Dallas and an MA in Nonprofit Leadership from Oklahoma City University.
(918) 340-9097
Treba Shyers, SNAP Hotline Manager, is a native Tulsan. Treba joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in January 2018 with experience in social services and advocacy within the Tulsa non-profit sector. Treba’s education and experiences allows her to easily connect with community partners addressing Oklahoma’s food insecurity.
Treba has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Master’s Degree in Human Relations.
(918) 340-4580
Emma Sikich joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in December of 2019. Emma strives to live in a world where coffee never goes cold, camping is free, and dogs don’t shed. Ever.
As a graduate from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Recreation Management, she has always had a passion for helping others have a safe, fun experience. After 7 years working in the YMCA and managing out-of-school programs so elementary-aged children could have the greatest memories, she quickly realized that basic needs must be met before the fun can be had. This realization pushed Emma into a passion for food security for all and a new career with Hunger Free Oklahoma.
Working as the lead for the Tulsa Community Partners Program (TCPP), Emma hopes to leverage and connect the great work already happening in Tulsa for our community members. Persistence and dedication are two of Emma’s driving, and sometimes annoying, attributes.
Sarah Smith-Moore joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in November 2021. Sarah brings over a decade of experience working alongside families to provide more resources to reduce risk factors and organizing grassroots efforts focused on social, economic, and environmental justice.
Prior to HFO, Sarah was the Youth Leadership Coordinator for Camp Fire Green Country. She coordinated multiple programs for children of all ages and facilitated numerous leadership retreats for LGBTQIA2S+ youth. From there, Sarah joined multiple grassroots campaigns in Tulsa focused on equity. She became involved with Showing Up For Racial Justice and attended organizing workshops throughout the United States. Sarah is also an alum of the Anne Braden Anti-Racist Training, which is a four-month long program designed to support organizers in their efforts towards equity in their communities.
Sarah was born and raised in New York and currently lives in Tulsa with her husband, two children, a dog, and a fish. In her free time, she enjoys creating beautiful, safe, and fun spaces in her home and backyard for folks to gather in the struggle for collective freedom.
Alissa Snider joined HFO in 2022. Building connections in local communities and increasing access to basic human services is her passion and she hopes to be effective in her role as Hunger Outreach Program Specialist. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Community and Public Health and her Master of Public Administration degree with a focus on Urban Management from the University of Central Oklahoma. She believes that making the healthy choice the easy choice should be the goal and that equity and locally-based leadership are key aspects of a strong community.
Abby Stainer joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in March of 2021. A Tulsa native, she returns home after 21 years to put her passion for training and development to work. Abby’s career and talents span many industries, all requiring high levels of organization, facilitation, customer service, attention to detail, and knowledge sharing. She is excited to implement these skills in a new arena, helping Oklahomans.
Abby has a BA in English from Tufts University and an MA in Interior Design from Savannah College of Art and Design.
(918) 500-0209
Treasure Standeford is a native Oklahoman and joined the Hunger Free Oklahoma team in 2019. Treasure brings support, advocacy and education to life for child nutrition programs. She has three beautiful girls, two amazing grandsons and a huge heart for rural Oklahoma! With a passion to serve others, she looks forward to empowering communities and expanding access to programs to help eliminate hunger. She has a bachelor’s degree in Human Services Counseling from East Central University.
Dezavia Taylor joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in February 2024. Dezavia was born in Houston, Texas, raised in OKC and comes from a background of higher education. With a passion for fostering inclusive environments, Dezavia boasts a diverse experience in recruitment and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Dezavia holds a Bachelor of University Studies with double minor in Philosophy & Africana Studies from Oklahoma State University. She will graduate with a Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Oklahoma in May 2024. She believes that food is a right, not a privilege. She is eager to help end hunger in Oklahoma.
Born in Oklahoma, Aily has moved around a lot but came home to Oklahoma City after growing an appreciation for the change and growth in the city. They join Hunger Free Oklahoma with a decade of diverse experiences in corporate administrative work. In Spring 2019, they completed a bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership at the University of Central Oklahoma but they also have studied history extensively, with a specialty in post-war to mid-century racial politics and arts. They are an avid sports fan and have a favorite team in most major pro sports, but they primarily watch NHL hockey, Premier League football, and NBA basketball. They also always have a current read (or three) that they can tell you about.
Aisosa Udoh joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in January of 2023 as a SNAP Outreach Coordinator. She was born in Nigeria and raised in both Nigeria and Texas. Aisosa earned a bachelor’s degree in Community/Public Health from the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, and is currently on her way to earning her Master’s in Public Health (MPH). She has a passion for public health and strives to make positive impacts in her surrounding communities and the nation. Aisosa served in the Army for eight years, is a hard worker who is willing to learn, and loves to work with a team. Aisosa sought out employment with Hunger Free Oklahoma as she has seen the impacts of food insecurity and wants to be a part of the change. Aisosa is married with two beautiful daughters, loves to spend time with family, and loves fashion.
LaCrinthia (LC)Watts is a native Oklahoman born in Idabel and raised in Tulsa/Broken Arrow. With a bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership and Business from SNU, LaCrinthia was fortunate enough to work for Broken Arrow Public Schools as a center director. There she helped build and improve the before and aftercare program. She also enjoyed working with the children and families in the community. LaCrinthia spent three years as a Consultant Specialist/Event Coordinator for a book company. There, she enjoyed selecting/creating branded items, and planning conventions and company events. In her personal life, she enjoys spending time with her family. She loves traveling, dancing, listening to music, watching movies, reading, cooking, and doing outreach projects with her church group. LaCrinthia is excited to work with this organization to help fight hunger.
Houa Xiong joined the Hunger Free Oklahoma team in January of 2023. He graduated at the University of Arkansas with his BA in Communication because he felt and saw the hardships of his and other people lacking a voice for representation and presence. There were many Hmong families and farmers in the communities of Arkansas who suffered from poultry contract termination, expensive farm operation upgrades, foreclosure, bankruptcy, and hunger (including himself). He received his MA in Mass Media Communication and worked for a nonprofit as a Farm Program Associate and Coordinator in the state of Arkansas and parts of Northeast Oklahoma to help his constituents fight for their farm which is often tied to their home; diversify their income through market opportunities; access USDA NRCS and FSA programs, grants, and loans; provide technical support in accessing Medicaid, state healthcare programs, and other resources; create workshops and teaching opportunities for Hmong and Asian American farmers to increase their total capacity and independence in owning and operating a business; and address and elevate accessibility and systems issues of NRCS and FSA to meet the needs of his constituents. Burnt out, he explored in areas of corporate and productions, but returned to nonprofit in hopes of creating greater impacts.
Leslie Young joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in November 2021 as the Double Up Oklahoma Program Manager. Leslie has spent her marketing career working for well-known food and beverage companies in Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado. She has experience working on both the client and agency side of the business, developing and executing integrated marketing programs to consumers. Her most recent job was at Danone North America where she worked on Horizon Organic Milk, Silk Dairy Free products, and Wallaby Organic Yogurt brands. Leslie is excited to combine her food, retailer, and in-store promotions background to provide better-for-you food choices to Oklahomans in need. Born and raised in Oklahoma, Leslie graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in Marketing.