“People, Places, Purpose” – Maurianna Adams is a principal community developer who works in service to resilient communities through cultural best practices, research and policy,  public-private partnerships and capital inclusion. Since 2010, Adams has been involved in the design and implementation of programs and investments in the areas of business and entrepreneurship; education; public health and healthcare; housing; and human rights.

As a first generational curse breaker and now mother of 6, she’s lived the challenges of wealth gaps and disinvestment personally. She is relentless in her passion and profession of structuring innovative capital tools and designing finance opportunities that actually work for families. Adams holds a master’s degree in public administration and an economic development finance professional certification. She resides in Northeast Oklahoma City with her husband, children and turtle.

Ana is a postdoctoral scholar in the Food Policy and Environment Research Group at Arizona State University. Her research focuses on community-engaged approaches to understanding food access and advancing health equity. In this role, Ana aims to deepen her work in implementation science and contribute to policy-relevant research that expands access to healthy, affordable food, particularly for underserved communities.

Bailey Ashbaker serves as the Senior Policy and Engagement Specialist at Hunger Free Oklahoma. For the past four years she has worked to improve Oklahoman’s access to food through state and federal advocacy on campaigns to expand school meal participation, summer meal programs, and fresh produce incentives in grocery stores and farmer’s markets. Her previous work includes consulting on donor management with an Oklahoma-based homeless youth shelter and a background in international studies, where she participated on research projects in partnership with the Boston University Global Development Policy Center, senior U.S State Department officials, and the U.S. Anti-Corruption Commission. Bailey believes that sustainable change starts with systems, and is passionate about making programs work better for the people.

Casey Bakhsh, LCSW, has over 25 years of experience advancing innovative, client-centered care as Chief Programs Officer at Tulsa CARES, Oklahoma’s largest provider of HIV/HCV prevention and care services. Known for her energy, collaborative spirit, and laughter, she is also a community-based researcher and the site Principal Investigator for the NOURISH-OK study, advancing “food as medicine” research to strengthen the connection between nutrition and health. Casey is passionate about bridging clinical practice with community advocacy, treating food as a foundation of health. She also addresses housing as a key social determinant, chairing Tulsa’s Fair Housing Committee and serving as a Human Rights Commissioner. 

Brian has been a dedicated advocate for college food security since 2012. His journey began at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), where he worked with the Central Pantry—first as a student employee, then as a full-time staff member—helping students access vital food resources. In 2021, Brian brought his expertise to Oklahoma State University (OSU), where he played a key role in launching Pete’s Pantry, which he currently manages. He also oversees Pete’s Eats, OSU’s food recovery program, ensuring that surplus food is redirected to students in need. 

Beyond campus initiatives, Brian leads collaborative efforts to address food insecurity on a broader scale. He chairs the Big 12 Food Pantry Alliance and is a founding member and current chair of the Oklahoma College Pantry Alliance, uniting institutions across the state in the fight against student hunger. 

Brian holds a master’s degree in College Student Development and remains committed to creating equitable, sustainable support systems for college students. 

Lacey Thompson Caywood is the Food is Medicine research coordinator for the Hudson College of Public Health at the University of Oklahoma and the Community Programs Coordinator at the OU-TU School of Community Medicine. Previously, she was the research coordinator for the NOURISH-OK study. She earned her Master of Public Health at the OU Hudson College of Public Health and a Bachelor’s in Nutritional Science from the University of Missouri. Her previous research work includes the investigation of food insecurity and the development of interventions to improve nutrition-related health outcomes for food insecure and other vulnerable and marginalized populations. 

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.

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.

Nicole Doherty is a higher education professional with more than 12 years of experience in student affairs, leadership development, and community engagement. She serves as Director of Community Engagement at the University of Central Oklahoma, overseeing service programming, the Central Pantry, campus civic engagement, and 200+ community partnerships. Previously, she has worked in the First Year Learning & Engagement office at the University of Oklahoma and in the Student Engagement office at UCO. Nicole is pursuing her Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration at the University of Oklahoma and actively contributes to professional and community leadership program throughout Oklahoma City.

Adriana is a public health professional with a Master of Public Health from Oklahoma State University. She has overseen key statewide initiatives addressing obesity, nutrition security, and chronic disease prevention while working at the Oklahoma State Department of Health. With over a decade of experience in community outreach, food safety, and coalition building, Adriana has led the development of the Oklahoma Nutrition Security Taskforce, co-led the Oklahoma Food is Medicine Coalition, Oklahoma State Obesity Plan, and provides strategic consultation. They bring a deep commitment to equity and system-level change in public health.  She enjoys reading, walkie-talkies (nightly chat-walks) and organizing.

For the past eight years, Emily Heath has been proud to contribute to food security efforts at the Community Market of Pottawatomie County, where she currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer. Driven by a passion for food equity, she works to bridge the gap in access to healthy food and essential resources for families facing food insecurity in rural Oklahoma. Emily’s leadership extends across program development and implementation, fostering strong community connections, securing funding, and ensuring smooth operations. Outside of her work, she loves to travel with her husband, eat top-notch local food, go to concerts, and take her dog for walks!

Sam Landercasper is the Deputy Director of Pitkin County Human Services in Aspen, Colorado. Raised on an organic beef farm in Minnesota by a veterinarian and a physician, he has long been drawn to food systems and community well-being. A graduate of Johns Hopkins with an M.P.A., Sam has over a decade of experience in human services. He is especially focused on addressing food insecurity in rural resort regions. Sam was a member of the second cohort of the Aspen Institute’s Food Leaders Fellowship.

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.

Jean Leidner is a Senior Research Biostatistician at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center where she supports the statistical analysis of the PROVIDE study. Jean’s expertise is in the quality assurance and analysis of large, complex datasets. Prior to joining OUHSC, she worked in clinical trials research at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health where she developed the quality assurance methods for large-scale HIV clinical trials being conducted in Botswana and participated in the analysis and presentation of the results at domestic and international conferences. Jean enjoys mentoring junior staff in the use of SAS programming and analysis. 

Ryan is a poet, leader, and scholar. His book, ‘The War on Neighborhoods,’ was published by Beacon Press in 2018 and tracks the devastating impact of mass incarceration on one Chicago community area. Ryan received a Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Chicago. He was selected as the Outstanding Young San Antonian of 2020 by the Rotary Club of San Antonio and in 2024 was named a “Hero for Children” by the Texas State Board of Education. Ryan currently serves as the Chief Impact Officer for the San Antonio Area Foundation and as the Board Chair for the Children’s Funding Project, a national organization focused on growing public investments in children and youth. He previously served as the CEO for UP Partnership and the executive director for Excel Beyond the Bell San Antonio and the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s Youth Safe and Violence Prevention department.

Ana holds degrees in math and applied stats and supports nutrition program evaluations. 

Devyn Manns serves as the Child Nutrition Director for Mid-Del Public Schools. She oversees the kitchen operations, procurement, and compliance with USDA and State guidelines for the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program. She supports 20 serving sites and more than 12,000 students across the district. Devyn is dedicated to ensuring that every student has access to meals that are nutritious, balanced, and appealing. She also prioritizes sourcing local products whenever possible and values opportunities to help students learn where their food comes from and how it can fuel their overall health and growth.

Kevin spent over 30 years working as a computer guru and worked his way up to the position of CTO for a large healthcare company. A voice kept telling him that God had something bigger for him, and after a lot of prayer time, he left his comfortable corporate job seeking “what was next”.  Two years later Indigo Acres was launched with the mission of growing healthy, healing food, free of harmful chemicals. Indigo is now in its 10th year of operation. Kevin now teaches regenerative farming practices for small farms.

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.

Chris is a doctoral candidate and graduate research assistant at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center’s Hudson College of Public Health, with an interest in the operation and impacts of nutrition incentive programs, like Double Up Oklahoma. Since 2021, he has worked with Hunger Free Oklahoma as a site evaluator and data analyst. 

Jenna Moore is the Director of the OKC Food Hub and has been working in local food systems for over a decade.  She has a background in Public Health which she utilized to implement gardening programs in New Orleans and conduct research and evaluation for the ONIE Project in Oklahoma.  She has since co-founded the online Paseo Farmers Market, Flora Bodega Cooperative Grocery store, and the OKC Food Hub.  Her passions for growing food, building relationships, and thinking outside the box to change the system fuel her ongoing pursuit of making it easier for farmers to sustainably feed their communities.

Dr. Megan Mueller is an Associate Professor in Food Science and Human Nutrition at Colorado State University and Director of the STOP (Systems Thinking for Obesity Prevention) Lab. Her research applies systems thinking and equity-focused methods to address food and nutrition insecurity, particularly in rural and high cost-of-living regions. Dr. Mueller partners with local governments and coalitions—including the Mountain Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security—to co-develop survey tools and community assessments to guide regional food systems planning, identify gaps in services, and improve food access for households across the income spectrum.

Ahmed Omar joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in January 2023, bringing over a decade of nonprofit experience spanning education, operations, and project management. As a Senior Data Analyst, he leads efforts in data visualization, analysis, and workflow automation, transforming complex information into actionable insights that support HFO’s mission. A committed advocate for social justice and equitable access to nutrition, education, healthcare, and housing, Omar is driven to help end hunger in Oklahoma.

Chandy Rice joined the Hunger Free Oklahoma team in 2025 as the Director of Strategic Advancement. Her nonprofit career began at Cross & Crown Mission in OKC and continued with 12 years at the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, where she earned her IOM and CAE. Most recently, she served as Senior Director of Development at Pivot, leading the creation of 41 Tiny Homes and launching the social enterprise, Pivot Preserves. Chandy lives on a small farm in Mustang with her husband and their three kids. They love camping, hiking, and the mountains. The family enjoys local breweries and is active in their church community.

Lisa Robinson, CFLE is a Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) Educator with the Kay County OSU Extension Office. For more than 20 years, she has delivered impactful parenting education, helping families build resilience, strengthen relationships, and develop lifelong skills. Lisa has also led county-level initiatives to address food insecurity, creating programs that promote access to healthy, affordable foods and reducing waste through practical, hands-on education. She has a proven track record in grant writing, program management, and building self-sustaining initiatives. Nationally recognized as a subject matter expert in occupational transportation safety, Lisa continues to empower families and communities through innovative, research-based education.

Diana Romano is a Registered Dietitian with 30 years of experience, working as an associate extension specialist for the Community Nutrition Education Programs at Oklahoma State University. She has a Master’s in Nutritional Sciences from Oklahoma State University and a bachelor’s in nutrition from Pontific Xaverian University in Bogota, Colombia.

Lorri Romero serves as the Student Resources Navigator at Tulsa Community College’s Student Help Hub, where she addresses the intersection of food insecurity and student success. She leads efforts to connect students with holistic basic needs resources, recognizing that hunger impacts academic performance, retention, and overall well-being. Drawing on experience in case management, partner development, and outreach, Lorri has built collaborative networks that address housing, transportation, and technology gaps alongside food access. Her work empowers students to navigate complex challenges, fostering self-advocacy and equitable opportunity. Through the Help Hub, she champions stability as a foundation for persistence and degree completion.

Sam Russell joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in February 2025. 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.

Devin Schroeder serves as the Director of Hunger Outreach for Hunger Free Oklahoma, joining the team in November of 2017. A Lawton native, Devin brings experience in education, child nutrition programs, non-profit program management, advocacy, and coalition building. In her role at HFO, Devin leads a dynamic team that works to increase access to SNAP and key child nutrition programs. Passionate about improving health, education, and economic outcomes for all Oklahomans, Devin fosters partnerships with state agencies, school districts, and community organizations to improve food security across the state. Devin earned a BA in English from University of Dallas and a MA in Nonprofit Leadership from Oklahoma City University. Outside of work, Devin embraces the soccer mom life, cheering on her two daughters on the sideline.

Natalie Shumway is the research coordinator for the PROVIDE Study, which aims to evaluate the health impact of the Double Up Oklahoma program across the state. She received her MPH with a concentration in Health Promotion Sciences from OU-Tulsa in 2023.

Treba Shyers, SNAP Outreach Program 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.

Melissa Simms, RN, M.Ed, CCM, is the Community Engagement & Health Planning Manager for District 5 at the Oklahoma State Department of Health. A dedicated public health professional, she also serves as a Behavioral Health Wellness Coach and PN Certified Health & Wellness Coach. Melissa is a Master Gardener with a focus on nutrition security, integrating sustainable food practices into community wellness. With a strong foundation in nursing, education, and case management, she champions prevention, equity, and access. Through collaboration and compassionate leadership, Melissa works to improve behavioral health, nutrition, and overall health outcomes across Oklahoma communities.

Sarah Smith-Moore is a passionate advocate whose work is rooted in the power of lived experience. Drawing on personal experience, community connections, and organizational support, she is dedicated to advancing equity and creating spaces centering those most affected by food insecurity and hunger. Sarah joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in 2021 and currently facilitates the Lived Experience and Resource Network Workshop.

Alissa Snider joined HFO in 2022. 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. Born and raised in Tulsa, she left to pursue education in the Northeast and the Deep South, where she got caught up in the beauty of the Spanish moss for a spell. Back home after 20+ years, Abby now uses talents acquired through a career spanning many industries in service of her fellow Oklahomans. Abby’s relentless pursuit of efficacy and efficiency helps her improve Hunger Free Oklahoma’s systems and processes to increase food security across the state.  Abby has a BA in English from Tufts University and an MA in Interior Design from Savannah College of Art and Design.

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.

Colleen Stice is the Director of Healthcare Partnerships and Client Care at Meals on Wheels Metro Tulsa. With over two decades of experience in human services and a background in psychology and behavior analysis, she leads initiatives that bridge healthcare and community-based support. Colleen developed the organization’s Healthcare Partnership Program, which delivers meals and wellness checks to high-risk patients post-discharge to reduce readmissions and improve outcomes. She is a passionate advocate for health equity, food security, and the power of compassionate care.

Tiffany Brown Tagbo is a mother, advocate, and author committed to advancing equity and opportunity for families. She leads the Oklahoma chapter of RESULTS, bringing more than a decade of grassroots organizing and anti-poverty advocacy experience to the fight for housing, health, and economic justice. As a Supervisor at Heartline, she oversees crisis chat specialists who support individuals in crisis across the nation, giving her firsthand insight into the challenges faced by vulnerable communities. Tiffany is also the founder of Guiding Hand Publishing, LLC, where she creates books that inspire resilience and justice. She leads with compassion, resilience, and vision. 

Dezavia Taylor joined Hunger Free Oklahoma in February 2024. Born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Oklahoma City, she brings a strong background in higher education, with a passion for fostering inclusive and equitable environments. Dezavia has extensive experience in recruitment and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. She holds a Bachelor of University Studies with minors in Philosophy and Africana Studies from Oklahoma State University, as well as a Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Oklahoma. Dezavia believes that food is a right—not a privilege—and is deeply committed to helping end hunger in Oklahoma.

Aily is the Continuous Improvement Specialist at Hunger Free Oklahoma and has been with the organization since 2023. They approach their work from a systems and process mindset that seeks to make HFO more efficient, more effective, and mutually beneficial to both the communities that HFO serves and the staff at HFO. They emphasize coaching, blending perspectives and approaches, and identifying mission-alignment across individual and organizational goals. Born in OKC, their care for their local community drives their work in nutrition security and food equity.

Amandah is a LEARN Workshop graduate and draws on lived experience and community leadership to advocate for food access. She is committed to ensuring no Oklahoman goes hungry.

Lindsey Vandeventer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience specializing in neurodivergence, complex and intergenerational trauma, and dissociation. She provides neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed care that integrates EMDR, somatic and sensory regulation strategies, family systems, and person-centered approaches, emphasizing resilience, post-traumatic growth, and healing. In addition to clinical practice, Lindsey advocates for systemic justice, highlighting food security as a human right and the interconnection between trauma and poverty. As a multiply disabled professional and single parent with lived experience of poverty and food insecurity, she advances community building and sustainable self-care practices to mitigate compassion fatigue and burnout.

Sabrina Villalon is a registered dietitian with a passion for community nutrition and fighting food insecurity. At Tulsa CARES, she manages the food pantry and farmers market while providing Medical Nutrition Therapy for individuals living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses. Nearly five years in, Sabrina still finds joy in meeting clients where they are and empowering them to reach their goals. She also co-authored the HIV/AIDS nutrition chapter in the Oklahoma Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2026 manual. Above all, Sabrina believes nutrition is about dignity, choice, and building healthier communities together. 

LaCrinthia (LC) Watts is a proud Oklahoman. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Southern Nazarene University. After graduation, she worked for Broken Arrow Public Schools, where she served as a Center Director, enhancing the district’s before and aftercare programs. She also spent three years as a Consultant Event Coordinator, where she enjoyed curating branded items and organizing conventions and corporate events.

Today, LaCrinthia serves as a SNAP Outreach Specialist with Hunger Free Oklahoma, where she is passionate about fighting food insecurity across the state. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and hosting family game nights.

Marianna Wetherill, PhD, MPH, RDN/LD, DipACLM, is an Associate Professor and the George Kaiser Family Foundation Chair in Population Healthcare at the University of Oklahoma Tulsa. She is jointly appointed in the Departments Health Promotion Sciences and Family and Community Medicine and is the Associate Director for the OU Culinary Medicine Program. Drawing from two decades of direct practice experience in food is medicine (FIM), Dr. Wetherill’s research involves community-based collaborations with food banks, social service organizations, medical clinics, and tribal communities to develop and implement FIM interventions for diverse populations affected by nutrition inequities.

Brandi White, MA, CPH is the Executive Director of Wings of Hope Family Crisis Services, a domestic violence agency serving five counties in central Oklahoma. With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit and human services leadership, Brandi brings a trauma-informed, public health lens to her work with vulnerable populations. She is a Certified Public Health professional, a Leadership Oklahoma and Leadership Stillwater alumna, a Forbes Small Giants Leader, and currently serves on the board of the Noble County YMCA. When she’s not advocating for safer, healthier communities, Brandi enjoys raising chickens and watching Oklahoma sunsets with her husband.

Keeley White serves as Director of Community Health Programs at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, where she has championed health and nutrition initiatives since 2014. Her work focuses on improving nutrition security, advancing Food Is Medicine strategies, and creating impactful programs for older adults. Keeley holds a B.S. in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Management and an M.P.H. in Community Engagement with a focus on older adult health from the University of Central Oklahoma. In 2023, she was named to the de Beaumont Foundation’s 40 Under 40 in Public Health for her leadership in building healthier communities.

Val Wiestner is the Nutrition Coordinator at Sunbeam Family Services, where he has worked for the past five years to ensure children and families receive healthy, nourishing meals. He began at Sunbeam as a Kitchen Manager before moving into his current leadership role. Prior to that, Val spent six years at Whole Foods Market managing the Prepared Foods Department, gaining experience in large-scale food service and nutrition. His passion for this work is also personal—two of his three stepchildren are adopted, as is his mother—making family and food deeply connected in both his personal and professional life.

Mary Williams is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology with a joint appointment in the Departments of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the Hudson College of Public Health and Family Medicine at the OU-TU School of Community Medicine and is the GKFF Chair in Public Health Biostatistics. Dr. Williams specializes in developing research and evaluation methods through community engagement using a CBPR framework and direct collaboration with community stakeholders to ensure methods are feasible and findings are relevant. She currently leads the Double Up Oklahoma (DUO) grocery evaluation and is the Principal Investigator of the Produce is Vital in Diverse Environments (PROVIDE) study.

Jerrod Wilson was born in Tulsa, and raised in Skiatook, where he attended school. He later experienced significant hardship, spending several years in poverty, struggling to secure food, water, and basic necessities. He is a LEARN Workshop graduate and recently traveled to Washington D.C. to share his story and advocate for anti-hunger policies with legislators. These experiences have shaped his perspective and resilience, informing the work he does today.