In this role, I led strategic planning process that included the creation of a Theory of Change and a Food Security Program Strategy. To support this, I reorganized the staffing structure to better support a learning environment. Cultivate, maintain, and grow strategic business relationships with philanthropic and mission-aligned organizations. Represent the organization in high-level convenings to build strategy and ensure the organization is well represented in emerging opportunities, while also building brand recognition.

Conceptualized, managed, and produced the inaugural City Harvest Leadership Summit which convened national leaders to imagine the possibilities of a hunger-free City.Established City Harvest as a respected voice and influencer in food policy through cultivating and maintaining high-level relationships with elected officials, government offices, community organizations, philanthropy and media and pushing the incorporation of message frameworks that go beyond food to address income disparity and equity.Oversaw the release of the 2014 New York City Self-Sufficiency Standard. This included convening a steering committee of funders and experts including the Women's Center for Education and Career Advancement, United Way of New York City, New York Community Trust, and many others to review the research findings, create policy recommendations, and execute a public launch. Served as inter-governmental lead for Hurricane Sandy relief response which resulted in a $5 M grant from the American Red Cross to ensure the long-term relief efforts were addressed. Actively engaged in shaping the City's short and long term responses.Developed organizational protocols and systems, including an annual policy platform which served to guide communications and marketing frameworks, as well as incorporate experiences learned from the organizations programs and operations.Launched a multi-sector, diverse alliance to position New York City for Federal funds through the Child Nutrition Act resulting in unprecedented civic and municipal engagement and action.Provided project management and technical oversight across departments on strategies and organizational initiatives including environmental scans and strategic plans as well as marketing and communications strategies.

Designed and instructed a graduate level, degree required course utilizing classroom and field experiences to understand the social debates and policies that have shaped disparities in food access over time. The course underscored implications of race and place on health outcomes.

Oversaw the program design, implementation, and evaluation of project plans to improve the food security of low-income New Yorkers and the communities in which they live.Convened a multi-sector collaborative designed to address necessary systems change that would result in having authentic community engagement and voice in policy change work. The work was part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Food and Communities Program.Facilitated a strategic planning process for New York City SchoolFood, the city's agency responsible for feeding 1.2 million students during the school day.

Lead the development of an agency-wide, action-oriented culture to start food policy initiatives that addressed food system change, particularly related to the Federal nutrition programs.Managed budgets in excess of $7 M in government and private funds and a staff of 22.Directed the development, implementation, and evaluation of the SchoolFood Plus Initiative, a $5 M investment from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to improve the New York City school food system.

Developed nutritional guidelines for all meals served within the New York City public schools which remain in place today.Conceptualized and developed an incentive-based employee wellness program for 6000 employees.