11:00
Room 207a
Ask USDA
James Abraham is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Southwest Region. In this role, James is responsible for the administration of SNAP in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah, and 49 tribal organizations.
SNAP is the largest Federal nutrition assistance program, providing nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and households, nutrition education, and employment and training.
James has been with USDA FNS since 2010, entirely with the Southwest Regional Office. He started as a program specialist in SNAP before moving to School Programs. In 2017, he was selected as the Branch Chief of Community Nutrition Programs and led the region’s Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, The Emergency Food Assistance Program, Commodity Supplemental Food Program and Food Distribution on Indian Reservations Program. He’s most proud of the long-lasting relationships he’s forged with our State, Tribal leaders, and National office partners, as well as the amazing team he has built in the Community Branch.
Prior to working with USDA, James worked for the United Nations World Food Programme addressing hunger across sub-Saharan Africa. Raised in Dallas, Texas, James is a passionate Cowboys and Mavericks fan. He spends most of his time with family and spoiling his two daughters.
12:00
Room 302
Taking Government to the Frontline: Innovating and Modernizing Human Services from the Perspective of the End User
I’m in the business of building relationships and partnerships 🔑 My day to day includes identifying new projects and unmet financing needs in the marketplace, as well as assessing potential projects’ relevance, feasibility, and applicability to my company’s goals and business strategy. The question that I seek to answer daily is how can our business development programs (e.g., financing) achieve and extend maximum community benefit.
I specialize in financial modeling, product development, and customer management. I am currently studying business credit analysis and real estate lending, as part of my finance certification. My background includes economic and community development, community-driven research and policy formation, and nonprofit leadership.
I have over a decade of experience leading and advising organizations on how to create social and economic momentum. With a background in public health, public policy, and community & economic development, I’ve been involved in the design and implementation of policies, programs, and investments in:
* Business/ Entrepreneurship
* Education
* Health
* Housing
* Human Rights
11:00
Room 207a
Ask USDA
Darrell Allen is the Supplemental Nutrition and Safety Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Southwest Region. In this role, Darrell is responsible for the administration of Supplemental Nutrition Programs (SNP) in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and 49 tribal organizations.
The SNP includes Food Distribution Programs such as the Food Distribution on Indian Reservations, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and other programs.
Darrell previously served as the WIC Branch Chief for more than 10 years. Prior to joining FNS, he served as a Civil Rights Investigations Director for seven years with the U.S. Department of Labor.
Darrell “The Captain” brought to the Federal government more than 20 years of experience as an officer in the Marine Corps. While his primary work was in the field of criminal investigations, Darrell was routinely chosen to serve as a Family Advocacy Officer in direct support of Military Family Readiness Morale and Welfare programs and he received awards acknowledging his work in this regard. His professional expertise also includes detailed work with data analytics, social sciences, and researching, analyzing, and writing official public policy.
Darrell has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University and a master’s in industrial organizational psychology from the Chicago University of Professional Psychology. He is a proud native of Houston, Texas.
2:45
Room 209a
How Food Sovereignty and Food Security Intertwine
Travis Andrews is a Native American horticulturist in OKC. Travis is the founder of Native Farming Solutions which is a non-profit dedicated to cultural preservation and sustainability. Travis also the garden program manager for Skyline Urban Ministry which is the largest operating community garden in the metro. Travis works to provide educational content for food sovereignty and food security awareness as well as resources for effective cultivation within OKC.
10:00
Room 208a
Federal Nutrition Programs: How They Work and Why You Should Care
2:45
Room 207b
Federal Nutrition Programs: How They Work and Why You Should Care
Bailey is a lover of all things food and policy. She joined Hunger Free Oklahoma two years ago as the Senior Policy and Engagement Specialist, and since has worked to expand access to food assistance through administrative and legislative advocacy. Prior to her work at HFO, Bailey completed her Master’s degree in International Studies and consulted on projects focusing on international development and homelessness.
1:45
Room 207b
Food Access in 2SLGBTQIA+ Community: Challenges and Solutions
Dorothy Ballard serves as the Executive Director of Oklahomans for Equality which holds as its mission to seek equal rights for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and plus (2SLGBTQIA+) individuals and families through intersectional advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. With a passion for social justice, she provides culturally competent 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy and education rooted in her experiences as a queer woman of color and a master’s of industrial and organizational psychology with a secondary emphasis in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
12:00
Room 302
Taking Government to the Frontline: Innovating and Modernizing Human Services from the Perspective of the End User
Chris, a native Oklahoman, joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in December of 2017. Chris has substantial experience in policy, advocacy, legislative strategy, and program implementation. Through his extensive work in public safety and juvenile justice, Chris has proven leadership in forging public/private partnerships and coalition building to solve complex problems. He has worked inside and outside of government to affect policy, program, and legislative changes that better serve citizens, save government resources, and produce better outcomes for individuals and communities.
Chris holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and a JD from Northwestern University School of Law.
10:00
Room 208b
Hunger Free Communities in Action
Shea Padilla Boschee currently serves as the President and CEO of the Noble County Family YMCA in Perry, Oklahoma, where she started her Y career working part-time at the front desk in 1992. Shea returned to her hometown in October 2019 after serving eight years with the YMCA of Greater Tulsa as the Executive Director of the Owasso Family YMCA, Vice President of Membership and Healthy Living, and Vice President of Youth Development. She has over 20 years of experience with the Y, including stints with the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas and Fort Worth. During her career, Shea has been responsible for programming, staff development, fundraising, community development, fiscal management, and board development.
Shea has served in various leadership roles and currently sits on several national committees such as the Hispanic Latino Leadership Network Steering Committee, South by Southwest Hub Advisory Council, YMCA of the USA National Strategic Planning Committee, and the National Government Relations Advisory Committee. Shea is a Hispanic Latino CEO Network member and the Public Policy Chair for the Oklahoma Alliance of YMCAs.
Shea’s interest in food security came about during COVID and she has since been part of building a coalition to address food insecurity and improve access to nutritious food for families in need.
Shea has a B.A from Oklahoma State University and is the mother of four: Maya, Zoe, Tiger, and Essie Grace. Shea loves being a mom to this crew while being a part of the Y movement, She also recognizes that it only happens because of the patience, flexibility, and, most of all, the cooking skills of her husband Scott.
11:00
Room 209b
Starting a Small-Scale Intersectional Food Security Project
Terryce Boxley is an African-American gardener, artisan and Jill-of-Many-Trades from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her mission is to live abundantly. She does this through creating and sharing art and furthering efforts for food sovereignty.
10:00
Room 209b
Shifting Perspectives with Lived Expertise
As the director of advocacy and public policy at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Lauren is primarily focused on grassroots advocacy and has spearheaded the Regional Food Bank’s neighbor engagement work, which included developing and implementing Magnify Oklahoma, a nine-month training program encouraging neighbors to elevate their voices, building collective power to create an Oklahoma where everyone has equitable access to thrive.
10:00
Room 209a
Non-Congregate Summer Meals: Lessons From the First Year of Operations
Hilary Brookins, MPH, Community Nutrition Manager, The Chickasaw Nation. Hilary is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and a descendent of her Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Hilary holds a Master of Public Health degree and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Native American Studies degree from the University of Oklahoma. Hilary has a passion for improving the health, life, and environment of native people and has experience in varying roles in public health. As the Community Nutrition Manager at The Chickasaw Nation, Hilary manages child nutrition programs such as the Child and Adult Care Food Program At-Risk, the Summer Food Service Program, the Farm to School program, the School Food Pantry program, the Mealtime Blessings program, and nutrition and physical activity education.
2:45
Room 207a
Food is Medicine: Best Practices and Evaluation Considerations for Clinic-Community Partnerships
Elizabeth E. Burger, PhD, MBA, EMT, is Vice President of Healthy Communities at Sunflower Foundation, a statewide healthy philanthropy serving all 105 counties and four sovereign Native nations. In her role, she leads the foundation’s work to create a healthier state through the built environment and community development focused on health and well-being. The portfolio centers on equitable opportunities to be active outdoors and connect to nature, as well as nutrition security, local food systems and Food is Medicine. Elizabeth began her career in broadcast journalism, then transitioned to health, pursuing graduate degrees and a post-doctoral fellowship in exercise science, health promotion, obesity management and business. Before finding philanthropy – she owned a personal training business, directed hospital wellness programs, taught at the university level, and directed research and evaluation at the American Academy of Family Physicians. Outside of work, Burger is a certified firefighter/EMT and volunteers for her rural fire district and multiple other community projects. She enjoys any chance to be active outdoors and appreciates all research pointing to the benefits of coffee, dark chocolate and wine.
11:00
Room 209b
Starting a Small-Scale Intersectional Food Security Project
Olivia (she/they) is a passionate Owasso native with a strong background in social justice. Armed with a degree in American Studies, specializing in inclusivity and intersectionality from Oklahoma State University, they are committed to fostering positive change within our community. Throughout their professional journey, Olivia has been unwavering in their dedication to advocating for and serving disadvantaged and underserved groups. With extensive experience in the non-profit sector and a profound commitment to social equality, Olivia wears multiple hats: devoted mother of three, avid Muppet enthusiast, and die-hard Bowie aficionado. They firmly believe in our community’s strength when we unite our resources to support one another.
1:45
Room 207a
Food is Medicine Part II: Examples of Clinic-Community Partnerships and Lessons from the Field
Kimberly Crosby has served as a faculty member for the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine Department of Family and Community Medicine since 2016. Her clinical practice role is within the Family Medicine and Bedlam clinics. She directs and teaches the pharmacotherapy course in the Tulsa PA program. Prior to her appointment in the School of Community Medicine she was faculty in the OU College of Pharmacy from 2002-2016. Dr. Crosby received her Bachelor of Sciences in Pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1990 and her Doctor of Pharmacy from The University of Oklahoma in 1999. She completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, OK in 2000. Her practice and research interests are in the areas of health literacy, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, asthma, smoking cessation and diabetes. Dr. Crosby is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, Board Certified Advanced Diabetes Manager, Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist, and Board Certified Geriatric Specialist.
10:00
Room 207B
Building Oklahoma’s Local Food System One Farmer at a Time
Sheila DeCarlo currently holds the position of Market Manager, and has since 2018, for The Duncan Farmers Market and the new Duncan Farmers Market Hub. She is a 5th generation horticulturist and a registered Master Gardener with the OSU Extension office. She graduated from Oklahoma City Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Commercial Design and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Western Oklahoma State University in Landscape Design and Graphic Design. She worked all over the state of Oklahoma in landscape design for 15 years before taking a job with ThinkAbility, Inc. in Duncan, Oklahoma. ThinkAbility, Inc. supports individuals with developmental disabilities by creating opportunities for success through its residential and vocational programs. There she manages the Community Garden and the Duncan Farmers Market.
1:45
Room 209b
Federal Policy: Effects on Food Security
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.
9:00
Room 302
I’m a senior at Memorial High School, and I’m a member of the Youth Action Council at Hunger Free Oklahoma. I’m passionate about my art and the creativity and change it can bring. I am interested in being part of a purpose that makes a lasting impact on others. I have a charismatic personality, and I like to do leadership roles, so I’m trying to start young by being part of groups, organizations, and councils to leave my mark.
1:45
Room 207a
Food is Medicine Part II: Examples of Clinic-Community Partnerships and Lessons from the Field
Natalie Frech is a program coordinator for the University of Oklahoma’s Food First Pharmacy, which is designed to provide free fresh fruits and vegetables, shelf-stable foods, and cooking tools for patients as part of their medical treatment plans. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion Sciences at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Her research interests are health equity, food security, social determinants of health, social-emotional health, and trauma-informed care.
11:00
Room 209b
Starting a Small-Scale Intersectional Food Security Project
Fernándé “Fern” Galindo (they/him) is a Chicano Non-Binary carceral abolitionist and community organizer. Fern brings 18 years of experience working in anti-racism education, sex work decriminalization, reproductive justice, and LGBTQIA+ rights. To Fern, access to food is a human right. As co-founder of Tulsa Intersectional Care Network (TICN), they have brought a deep-rooted sense of queer community to Tulsa. When not working, volunteering, writing poetry, or watching sci-fi, they like to spend their time with their 3 children, 2 dogs, & the world’s best cat.
10:00
Room 208a
Federal Nutrition Programs: How They Work and Why You Should Care
2:45
Room 207b
Federal Nutrition Programs: How They Work and Why You Should Care
Emma Galles was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She attended the University of Oklahoma, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Medical and Cognitive Sciences. After graduating, she began working with Hunger Free Oklahoma through the SNAP Hotline. Through this work, her passion for solving food insecurity in her hometown and state only grew. Now, she has recently become Hunger Free Oklahoma’s newest Hunger Outreach Program Specialist, where she hopes to continue her work within the organization. In her free time, Emma loves to cook, spend time with family, and play with her two dogs.
2:45
Room 209b
Your Voice Matters: How to be an Anti-Hunger Advocate
9:00
Room 302
My name is Maddy Grimes. I’m a sophomore at Union High School, and I’m a member of the Youth Action Council at Hunger Free Oklahoma. I’m passionate about truth and justice and everyone’s right to both. I am interested in creating a better society. I want the things I do today to make a difference in the future.
11:00
Room 207b
Power of a Farm Hub
Micaela Halverson grew up on a small hobby farm in central Oklahoma. Her childhood consisted of raising sheep and pigs for 4-H and FFA projects, helping her family of six with their summer garden and competing competitively in youth speech contests. With deep roots in the agricultural industry, she decided to attend Oklahoma State University, where she graduated in 2016 with an agricultural communications degree. She is currently an agritourism and farmers market coordinator at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Micaela is passionate about bridging the gap between consumers and producers and enjoys working with small farmers and business owners across the state promoting agriculture and tourism. She and her husband, Sam, live on his family cattle ranch in Pauls Valley, OK.
1:45
Room 208A
SNAP Action Planning
Allycia was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She joined Hunger Free Oklahoma through the SNAP Hotline in 2020, and was recently promoted to SNAP Hotline Assistant Manager. In her free time, Allycia enjoys spending time with her six children and hiking, traveling, or just spending quality time at home.
11:00
Room 209a
The Intersectionality of Houselessness, Healthcare, and Mental Health
Brittany has years of experience in researching, analyzing, writing, and teaching. At Healthy Minds, she brings her legal and educational experience to her position as the policy director where she researches best and evidence-based practices, as well as analyzes data to help move mental health policy forward. She is particularly interested in the civil and criminal justice systems as well as education at all levels.
Brittany’s past experience includes working as a Mental Health Policy Fellow at OK Policy, clerking at the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, interning at the Tulsa County Public Defender’s Office, and participating in community advocacy and immigration clinics at the University of Tulsa College of Law. Before attending law school, Brittany taught history and coached competitive speech and debate in Sand Springs, Oklahoma.
Brittany graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2018 with highest honor. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor’s of Science in political science from Oklahoma State University. She is currently a licensed attorney and teacher in the state of Oklahoma.
10:00
Room 209b
Shifting Perspectives with Lived Expertise
12:00
Room 302
Taking Government to the Frontline: Innovating and Modernizing Human Services from the Perspective of the End User
Chuck Hoskin Jr. serves as the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest tribe in the United States with more than 450,000 citizens. Prior to being elected in 2019, and re-elected in 2023, he was Cherokee Nation’s Secretary of State and also served as a member and Deputy Speaker of the Council of the Cherokee Nation. As Principal Chief, he increased minimum wage at Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Businesses and secured the largest language investment in the tribe’s history to expand Cherokee cultural preservation. He appointed the tribe’s first delegate to the U.S. Congress. He prioritized health and wellness initiatives, including record investments in behavioral health and addiction treatment. Chief Hoskin has also expanded tribal workforce training programs, sustainable housing, protections for natural resources, and educational opportunities for Cherokees of all ages. He, along with First Lady January Hoskin, has elevated the voices of women and children, and their safety, within the Cherokee Nation Reservation.
12:00
Room 302
Taking Government to the Frontline: Innovating and Modernizing Human Services from the Perspective of the End User
2022 Global Citizen Prize Award winner Barbie Izquierdo, is the Director of Advocacy- Neighbors Engagement at Feeding America. She is a global spokesperson with lived expertise, trailblazing in the movement to fight the exploitation of people with lived experience who have been affected by public policy. She is an expert on food insecurity and other social justice issues, an advocate, organizer, and consultant providing technical support regarding the engagement and inclusion of people with living experiences. With a background of 14 years in this work, she has shared her insight and story regarding hunger and poverty, included in the call to action documentary “A Place at the Table”. Barbie has used her lived experience and advocacy journey as a catalyst for policy change, and her mission is to help bring dignity and equity into the frameworks used by non-profit organizations and government entities. She takes pride in providing impactful public speaking driven grounded in vulnerability, truth, and authenticity, to empower and motivate thought leaders and organizations to action.
11:00
Room 209a
The Intersectionality of Houselessness, Healthcare, and Mental Health
David C. Kendrick, MD, MPH, FACP, is the principal investigator and CEO of MyHealth Access Network, Oklahoma’s non-profit health information network, which ensures that every Oklahoman’s complete health record is securely available where and when they need it for care and health decision-making. MyHealth serves more than 3 million patients and is focused on improving health in Oklahoma and beyond by implementing a community-wide infrastructure for healthcare IT. MyHealth was one of the original Beacon Communities selected by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. MyHealth is focused on providing advanced health information exchange, community-wide care coordination tools, and a robust decision support platform to support providers and patients in improving health.
Dr. Kendrick is the immediate past chair of the Board of Directors for the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), which developed the first comprehensive quality measurement programs with HEDIS, as well as certification programs for Patient Centered Medical Homes and Specialty Care. While Chair, Dr. Kendrick proposed the creation of a Data Aggregator Validation program that recognizes the cost and resources efficiencies brought to the quality measurement process by data aggregators with validated high-quality data. Dr. Kendrick is also a member of the board of the Patient Centered Data Home® program, and previously served on both the boards of the Strategic HIE Collaborative, and the Networks for Regional Health Improvement before their recent merger to become the Civitas Networks for Health. Dr. Kendrick has been elected to the board of the new Civitas organization. Dr. Kendrick served as the Senior Counsel for Interoperability to National Health IT Coordinator, Dr. Karen DeSalvo, and continues to serve as a consultant to various State and Federal Agencies.
Dr. Kendrick also chairs the Department of Medical Informatics Department at the University of Oklahoma’s School of Community Medicine, and serves the OU Health Sciences Center as the Assistant Provost for Strategic Planning. The Department of Medical Informatics provides clinical information systems support to OU Physicians as well as analytics services for clinical operations and research. In addition, the Department operates a Health Access Network for the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority, providing care management services, quality improvement support, and technology for Oklahoma physicians serving more than 100,000 patients.
10:00
Room 208b
Hunger Free Communities in Action
Caity King serves as the Director of Strategic Advancement at the Noble County Family YMCA, where she has worked on food security and community initiatives since 2020. Caity has worked for the YMCA for 9 years, starting at the YMCA of Greater Tulsa in 2014. Caity is passionate about contributing to greater food security and access for rural communities in Oklahoma and building partnerships to do so. Caity is originally from the Tulsa area and graduated from the University of Tulsa.
1:45
Room 207b
Food Access in 2SLGBTQIA+ Community: Challenges and Solutions
I am a trans and queer Okie advocate who has worked, largely, in Oklahoma county the last 8 years or so in various non-profits. This work has included time spent as an advocate, support provider, data analyst, researcher, program management, etc. Primarily, my work could be encapsulated as advocacy on and off the clock. During this time, i have advocated for LGBTQ+ community experiencing domestic violence and LGBTQ+ communities needing access to family support program/resources.
11:00
Room 207a
Ask USDA
Eddie Longoria is the Child Nutrition Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Southwest Region. In this role, Longoria is responsible for the administration of all Child Nutrition and Food Distribution Programs in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and 49 tribal organizations.
The Child Nutrition programs include the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Farm to School Program, Special Milk Program, Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer, and Team Nutrition.
Longoria previously served as the Regional Division Director of Special Nutrition Programs and the Director for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for the seven-state region. Prior to joining FNS in 2009, he worked at the Department of Homeland Security. Longoria is proud to have served his country in the United States Marine Corps. He is a native of California and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and a master’s in management from the University of Phoenix.
9:00
Room 302
Taking Government to the Frontline: Innovating and Modernizing Human Services from the Perspective of the End User
WILLIAM “BILL” E. LUDWIG
Regional Administrator
Southwest Region
USDA, Food and Nutrition Service
Dallas, Texas
William “Bill” E. Ludwig is the Regional Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service’s (FNS) Southwest Region. He oversees 16 federal nutrition assistance programs in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and 49 tribal organizations with a regional budget of approximately $27 billion. These programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, and other nutrition assistance programs.
Ludwig’s mission is to ensure that children throughout the region have access to safe, nutritious, and balanced meals. He is a strong advocate of partnerships and believes they are critical to accomplishing the region’s mission of reaching the youngest and most vulnerable populations.
During his tenure, he has built a solid network of more than 300 partner organizations at the Federal, State, Tribal and local levels. These connections have resulted in a greater awareness of the FNS programs and have generated a variety of innovative ways to get healthy food to families and children at-risk of hunger.
Ludwig believes in leaning forward and stretching across barriers to help those in need, whether they are in an urban or rural community, through programs such as the WIC/Medical Model, the Community Eligibility Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and Mobile Farmers Markets.
Staying connected is important to the business of fighting hunger, so in conjunction with his travel throughout the region, Ludwig and his team have developed creative ways to keep their audiences informed through social media, e-newsletters, and partner calls.
A native of Bossier City, Louisiana, Ludwig earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University and a master’s in business administration from Louisiana Tech University.
12:00
Room 302
Taking Government to the Frontline: Innovating and Modernizing Human Services from the Perspective of the End User
Bill Major is the President of The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation, and the Executive Director of the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation and the Zarrow Families Foundation. In this role he oversees all grant making aspects of the Zarrow Family Foundations to fulfill the vision and major strategic goals as defined by the Boards of Trustees. He has been in that role since 2010. Total giving for the 3 Foundations in 2022 was more than $40M.
Prior to this position, Bill was the CEO of LIFE Senior Services for more than 18 years. LIFE is the premier provider of home and community based services for seniors in the Tulsa metropolitan area. Concurrently, Bill was also the CEO of Vintage Housing Inc., a non-profit affiliate of LIFE established in 1995 to develop affordable housing for low and moderate income seniors in the Tulsa region. During Bill’s tenure, Vintage Housing developed 16 affordable housing communities representing $51M in total development costs.
Previously, Bill was the Founder and Executive Director of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, developing the food bank from a dream of the community in 1981 to a reality, through its first nine years.
As a native Tulsan, Bill has been active in community development projects since the early ‘80’s.
1:45
Room 207a
Food is Medicine Part II: Examples of Clinic-Community Partnerships and Lessons from the Field
Erin Martin’s passion for helping others started at fifteen when she started working in a retirement community. Today, Erin holds a masters degree in Gerontology from the University of Southern California, the first and #1 Gerontology school in the world. In 2017, Erin founded Conscious Aging Solutions to connect others with preventative and conscious approaches to longevity. She is certified in Regenerative Soil Advocacy and is passionate about spreading the gospel of food is medicine and the link to soil health. Erin is the President of the Tulsa Urban Ag Coalition, and the director of Oklahoma’s FreshRx Food is Medicine program.
1:45
Room 207b
Food Access in 2SLGBTQIA+ Community: Challenges and Solutions
Nicole McAfee (They/She) joined Freedom Oklahoma in 2021, bringing with them experience in campaigning, organizing, advocacy, and policy work. While you can often find her in the halls of the Oklahoma Legislature, her favorite place to be is learning from folks doing the work on the ground and expanding her political imagination to encompass all of the ways we can build communities where we can all thrive. Nicole is serious about word choice, harm reduction, and good food. In their work, they pride themself on building long-term power to serve the 2SLGBTQ+ community without compromising at the expense of the folks most historically excluded. Nicole serves on the Moderns Board at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and is a part of the Against Carceral Feminism Oklahoma collective. Nicole, their partner Andrew, and three cats enjoy Formula 1, scrolling through TikTok, and supporting all of their friends doing work rooted in community joy and radical love across Oklahoma and Indian Country.
11:00
Room 207b
Power of a Farm Hub
Shortline Produce Co. provides a place where people can meet and share recipes, knowledge and tradition in a place dedicated to the cultivation of local products, talents and culture. Creating an atmosphere that builds community, we contribute to a prosperous, healthy rural area. Shortline Produce Co. is dedicated to the encouragement, support and promotion of the entrepreneurial effort of local independent small farmers, growers, and producers while providing an effective outlet to distribute local foods. Shortline Produce Co. increases access to fresh, nourishing, affordable local food for all people, regardless of geographic distance from urban centers.
11:00
Room 208a
Prevent: Collaboratively Stopping Hunger Before it Starts
Katharine Morgan is the Director of the Partner Network at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. After spending a decade working in account management and customer service, she made the switch to the nonprofit world to have a greater impact in her community. In her role, Katharine leads a data driven understanding of network capacity and services, Link2Feed intake system, and the SNAP outreach team. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Over the last eight years, Katharine has been a valued volunteer with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which serves Oklahomans in need of financial assistance with rent, utilities and food. In her free time, Katharine and her husband Brian enjoy hiking and being entertained by their adopted German Shepard, Paco.
1:45
Room 209a
OK Farm to Table – Growing a More Resilient Food System
Amber Nelson is the Director of the OK Farm to Table Program for Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma (FBEO). Before completing an Associate’s Degree at Tulsa Community College, Amber grew up spending summers and holidays on her grandparents’ cattle-turned-wheat farm in Eads, CO. In 2017 after having her first child, Amber’s young family experienced food insecurity due to an unexpected job loss. Inspired by her experience, Amber shifted her career after 14 years in retail and food-service management to social service work supervising a team of Community Health Workers at Tulsa Health Department. In 2021 Amber began working for Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma coordinating community gardens, hydroponics, and direct food distribution programs. Since July 2022 Amber is working with 40+ Oklahoma farmers and produce aggregators, purchasing local produce for FBEO’s 600+ feeding partners.
10:00
Room 209b
Shifting Perspectives with Lived Expertise
11:00: Room 208b
Innovating WIC Outreach: How to Connect More Families to WIC
1:45: Room 208A
SNAP Action Planning
Candace Macedo joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in January 2018. Candace brings strong experience in planning, capacity building, and project management. She has worked in the government, non-profit, and private sectors to create change at both the local and state level. While growing up in Texas, Candace moved to Oklahoma early in her career. With a background in coaching healthy habits, her most recent work focused on building collaboration to improve Oklahoma’s health and food systems. She is excited to lend her talents and skills to address food insecurity in Central and Western Oklahoma.
Candace earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications/Business and a master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Southern Nazarene University.
10:00
Room 207b
Building Oklahoma’s Local Food System One Farmer at a Time
Diana Prieto Marquez is the Community Outreach Coordinator at the ONIE Project. Her background is in criminology, psychology and educational studies. She is passionate about growing the local food system in Oklahoma and making healthy food accessible for all through helping farmers markets, farms, and farm stands in the application process to accept EBT. Her work focuses on reaching Hispanic producers and helping them access resources OLAC provides. Diana is always looking for ways to build the local food systems network.
10:00: Room 208b
Hunger Free Communities in Action
1:45: Room 208b
Child Nutrition Action Planning: CACFP, SFSP, SSO – Alphabet Soup!
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.
9:00
Room 302
Towards True Program Integrity: AI, Efficiency, and Ensuring the Eligible are Served and Served Well
Benefits Data Trust CEO Trooper Sanders will discuss the power and potential of using data and trustworthy AI to tackle hunger by better connecting eligible people to public benefits. True program integrity prevents errors and fraud, increases efficiency, and ensures that eligible people quickly and easily receive the assistance they need when they need it, improving their lives and strengthening their communities and the state.
10:00: Room 209A
Non-Congregate Summer Meals: Lessons From the First Year of Operations
1:45: Room 208b
Child Nutrition Action Planning: CACFP, SFSP, SSO – Alphabet Soup!
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.
1:45
Room 208A
SNAP Action Planning
Treba Shyers has worked in the non-profit sector for over twenty years, primarily in social services and advocacy. She has been with Hunger Free Oklahoma for over five years with a focus in increasing SNAP participation, currently she is the SNAP Hotline Program Manager. As a member of the leadership team at Hunger Free Oklahoma, Treba has worked diligently to increase participation and remove barriers to the SNAP program. She oversees continued quality improvement and the expansion of the SNAP Hotline’s logistical operations. Treba earned a Master’s in Human Relations at the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor’s in Education at Northeastern State University. Treba lives In Sand Springs, Oklahoma. When she’s not working hard at Hunger Free Oklahoma, Treba can be found chatting and laughing with family and friends.
12:00
Room 302
Taking Government to the Frontline: Innovating and Modernizing Human Services from the Perspective of the End User
Deborah Smith serves as the Director of Adult and Family Services (AFS) at Oklahoma Human Services (OHS). She previously served as the Director of Innovation Services and Director of Child Welfare Services at OHS. Between these two roles, she also served for 5 years as the Regional Program Manager for the Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau out of Kansas City, MO where she worked with the child welfare programs in that 4 state region including KS, MO, IA, and NE along with the 9 Tribes in those states.
Ms. Smith also serves as the Chair of the Children’s Statewide Advisory Workgroup. This is a collaboration of leaders from eight child- serving organizations focused on developing, enhancing, coordinating and integrating systems focused on well-being goals and improving services to children and families in Oklahoma. Ms. Smith is also serving as a member of Governor Stitt’s recently created Child Welfare Task Force and serves as a member of the Executive Steering Committee that is working on the State of Oklahoma’s Multisector Plan on Aging.
Ms. Smith has been a Practicum Instructor for Social Work students with the University of Oklahoma since 1999. She received the Professional Development State Leader award from the OU School of Social Work Hall of Fame in 2015. She lives in Newcastle, OK with her husband of 21 years. They have five adult children and nine awesome grandchildren. She loves wildlife photography, RVing and spending time with her miniature horses.
1:45
Room 208B
Child Nutrition Action Planning: CACFP, SFSP, SSO – Alphabet Soup!
Treasure Standeford, Senior Hunger Outreach Program Specialist, is a native Oklahoman with experience in nonprofit, youth education, and family services. She has previously worked in youth advocacy and education through Nowata Public Schools, Boys & Girls Clubs of Nowata and as a National Trainers Associate with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. With a passion to serve others, she looks forward to empowering communities through advocacy while expanding access to programs to help eliminate hunger across Oklahoma. She has a bachelor’s degree in human services counseling from East Central University and completed the Advanced Leadership Program from Ross School of Business, University of Michigan.
11:00
Room 208b
Innovating WIC Outreach: How to Connect More Families to WIC
Laura Stout is a Registered, Licensed Dietitian. She holds a Master of Science in Human Nutrition from The Ohio State University and completed her dietetic internship at the Cleveland Clinic. Since July 2020, she has served as the Relations & Information Specialist for the Oklahoma State Department of Health WIC program. Prior to joining WIC she had 7 years of experience as a clinical dietitian working with children and adults with developmental disabilities, with 3 of those years also serving as Director of Nutrition Services for a small rehabilitation hospital. Laura lives in Oklahoma City with her husband and young son.
11:00
Room 209a
The Intersectionality of Houselessness, Healthcare, and Mental Health
A lifelong resident of central Oklahoma, Dan was born and raised in Oklahoma City and currently lives in Norman. He attended Putnam City Schools and got both his degrees from the University of Oklahoma.
Dan spent ten years as a manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of Oklahoma City before joining United Way in 1997 where he served as Vice President for Agency Relations, Allocations and Community Investment.
Dan became the founding Executive Director of the Homeless Alliance in 2004 to build the community’s capacity to better care for the homeless.
Dan has served as President of the Governor’s Interagency Council on Homelessness (GICH) and president of the United Way of Central Oklahoma Agency Directors Association. He is currently a member of the Criminal Justice Advisory Council (CJAC) and co-chairs the Facilities Committee of the Council.
2:45
Room 209a
How Food Sovereignty and Food Security Intertwine
LaTasha Timberlake is native to Oklahoma. She is an education consultant with local, national and international experience in program development, implementation, and supervision. She has over 20 years of experience in supporting non profits and community organizing through coaching, strategic planning, and grant management. LaTasha has worked with organizations such as The Ralph Ellison Foundation, City of Indianapolis, C.H.U.M.S, Work Ready Oklahoma, Northeast OKC Renaissance, Restore OKC, and Freedom City. She has been an influential educator serving in various capacities from classroom teacher, youth programming director, director of education, school climate specialist, and teacher/leader evaluation coordinator. In 2019, she founded Lillian Timber Farms , a non profit 501C3 urban farm, in Northeast Oklahoma City that educates and supports underserved communities with growing organic produce and learning healthy living practices. She and her team of volunteers have grown and distributed over 1,000 pounds of food and produce, facilitated numerous educational programming opportunities, and supported many local environmental and agriculture based organizations. Lillian Timber Farms is known for its once a month community gatherings coined, “Work Parties” as a homage to indigenous community gatherings that bring the community together to work the land, dance, and break bread with one another. LaTasha is a member of the Oklahoma Local Agriculture Collaborative Board and the Sustainability Alliance Board. Recently, she has had a vital role in the implementation of the Metropolitan Library System’s “ Metro Grows” Program where participants are able to receive free gardening education and check out tools through the local library! She is a herbalist, certified life coach, and lifelong practitioner of holistic wellness. She enjoys traveling, visiting art museums, reading books, and cooking.
11:00
Room 207b
Power of a Farm Hub
Thanh Tran’s 15 years of corporate IT experience reflects an extensive background in the E-commerce area with technical and management expertise managing application development, systems and data integration, and leveraging technology and organization resources to meet business goals for Corporate Express in Broomfield, CO (n.k.a. Staples) and then Lenovo’s global IT team in Raleigh, NC. After leaving corporate IT in 2010, she spent 2 years traveling and found her next passion for living life through healthy nutritious foods while helping her sister survive 2 years of treatment for stage 4 breast cancer. Her food journey then took her to Essex, NY where she spent 3 years as a vegetable farmer on her own small quarter-acre plot as well as working for Essex Farm, an established mid-size diversified full-diet farm. This is also where she experienced making value-added products at a nearby food hub called The Hub on the Hill. These experiences made her more aware of how local farming communities support each other and create a more resilient local food system. With a deepened passion for supporting local small farms, she moved back to OKC in 2019 to reconnect with family and to start urban farming. While working as the vegetable farm manager for Commonwealth Urban Farms, she found out first-hand how difficult it was for a new beginning farmer in OKC to get access to land, capital, and markets. During the Pandemic, she shifted her farming efforts to supporting local small producers by joining Jenna Moore to operate the Online Paseo Farmers Market & Grocery Store Cooperative. The launch of The OKC Food Hub in 2023 is the next iteration of their collaboration to build a more resilient and better local food system.
10:00
Room 208a
Federal Nutrition Programs: How They Work and Why You Should Care
2:45
Room 207b
Federal Nutrition Programs: How They Work and Why You Should Care
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.
9:00
Room 302
Since 2017, Jonathan Veal’s engagement with RestoreOKC has evolved from volunteer, board member, consultant, and currently director. As Managing Director, Jonathan provides day to day support to the Executive Director as well as directional support for the respective program arm directors. Externally, Jonathan supports the organization by building, establishing, & cultivating relationships with community & business partners around the greater OKC metro. Jonathan is a tremendous builder of people & culture. He has a passion for seeing individuals go from where they “Are” to where they desire to “Be”. Jonathan has an impeccable track record of detailed oriented work over the long haul that results in overall satisfaction. Jonathan spent thirteen years with Chick-fil-A, Inc focusing on Leadership Development and Customer Service elements to the team. Jonathan was a key member of the expansion team that helped to increase the visibility of the Chick-fil-A brand in the Greater Oklahoma City area.
A native of Houston, Texas, Jonathan and his wife of 25 years Chonta (Ft. Worth) have made Oklahoma City home since 2009 with their five children Cameron, Caleb, Carson, Julia, and Clayton.
2:45
Room 209a
How Food Sovereignty and Food Security Intertwine
Amy Warne is a lifelong resident of Oklahoma. She is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation, is also Seminole and Tiger Clan. Amy holds three higher education degrees in Health Care Management, Nutritional Sciences, and holds an MBA. She is active within the community by volunteering her time to organizations that address food insecurity and Native Sovereignty, increasing voter turnout, and raising awareness for social justice. She is an avid supporter of the arts. Amy believes civic engagement is essential and works to build a better community for future generations.
10:00
Room 207a
Food is Medicine Part I: Nutrition Prescriptions and Implementation Frameworks
Dr. Wetherill is an Associate Professor of Health Promotion Sciences at the OU Hudson College of Public Health and of Family and Community Medicine at the OU-TU School of Community Medicine. She is also a Registered and Licensed Dietitian and board-certified lifestyle medicine professional by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. She is the co-founder of the OU Culinary Medicine program and founder of the OU Food First Pharmacy, which both aim to prepare medical students, physician assistant students, and residents for prescribing food as medicine in clinic and community settings. Dr. Wetherill’s research focuses on multi-sector strategies to promote health equity among diverse populations affected by food insecurity. Before joining the faculty at OU, she worked for 10 years as a program planner, administrator, and dietitian for low-income families affected by HIV/AIDS and food insecurity. She is presently leading a 5-year, NIDDK-funded food is medicine study to reduce diabetes risk for people with HIV in Oklahoma.
11:00
Room 208a
Prevent: Collaboratively Stopping Hunger Before it Starts
Keeley White, Director of Community Health Programs, has been at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma since 2014 and oversees a range of programs and policies aimed at addressing food insecurity disparities among older adults, improving nutrition security, and prevention of negative health outcomes. Keeley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Management, as well as a Master of Public Health in Community Engagement with an emphasis in older adult population health from the University of Central Oklahoma.
11:00
Room 209b
Starting a Small-Scale Intersectional Food Security Project
Mila (She/They) is a resident of Tulsa, an abolitionist and a person who believes access to food and shelter are a basic human right. They volunteer in conjunction with the TICN Meal Train and are on the steering team as well. In their free time, Mila enjoys rollerblading, gardening and making art in various mediums.
10:00
Room 209b
Shifting Perspectives with Lived Expertise
11:00
Room 208a
Prevent: Collaboratively Stopping Hunger Before it Starts
Community Connections Director for Community Impact at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma