2025 Iowa
Hunger Summit

Shannon Bass

Director of Programs, Northeast Iowa Food Bank

Shannon Bass is the Director of Programs at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, where she leads eight key initiatives focused on addressing food insecurity across the region. With seven years of experience driving community-focused efforts, Shannon is committed to strengthening partnerships, building capacity within the hunger relief network and ensuring that each program adapts to meet the evolving needs of the community. Her work is rooted in collaboration and driven by a strong commitment to increasing access to nutritious food for all.

Lindsy Carroll

Nutrition Educator, Broadlawns Medical Center WIC

Lindsy is a Nutrition Educator at WIC and a former WIC recipient. She comes from a background in food service and child care. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics from Iowa State University and a Culinary Arts degree from DMACC’s Iowa Culinary Institute. While in school, she received the Marge Anderson Culinary Scholarship, which allowed her to train as a chef in France.

Her professional experience includes working as an au pair for a host family in France; cooking at high-profile establishments in the metro, including The Embassy Club; and managing a small dietary department in a rural nursing home. Her time as a WIC recipient while being a new mom inspired her to pursue a career at WIC. She now enjoys giving back to her community by using her skills and experiences to make a lasting impression on the health and nutrition of the next generation.

Ilsa DeWald

Local Food and Farm Manager, Johnson County

Ilsa DeWald works for Johnson County, Iowa as the Local Food and Farm Manager. She oversees the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm, a 160-acre farm that provides a public space for connecting to the land and local history through inclusive community-led opportunities. She provides community and resource connections, collaboration assistance and other support to farmers, processors, marketers, educators, distributors and other members of our community-based food system. She supports the Johnson County Food Policy Council with their policy and funding recommendations and public forums related to community food and ag issues. Ilsa also serves on the Steering Committee, Partnership Committee and Local Food Policy Network Team of the Iowa Food System Coalition. Before joining Johnson County in May 2018, Ilsa worked at North Liberty Community Pantry as the Garden and Volunteer Coordinator.

Aaron P. Dworkin

Chief Executive Officer, National Summer Learning Association

Aaron Philip Dworkin is a national leader in the education, out-of-school time (OST) and youth development fields. He currently serves as CEO of the National Summer Learning Association, a 30-year old national non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure every young person in America, regardless of income, background and zip-code, can access and benefit from a high quality summer learning experience each year.

At NSLA, he leads a team supporting a wide array of 25,000+ education and youth development leaders and organizations in five priority areas: program quality, partnerships, policy, public awareness and leadership development.

Prior to NSLA, Aaron served as President of the After-School All-Stars National Network, a non-profit organization providing free afterschool and summer programs to 90,000 low-income students in more than 450 Title I schools in 20 major cities across the U.S. In addition, he previously founded and directed Hoops & Leaders, an award-winning, grassroots youth mentoring and leadership program in New York City and worked in public finance for Moody’s Investors Service. He is a graduate of Tufts University and holds a Masters in Education from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and an MPA from Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs. He is member of the national board of the American Camp Association and an alumnus of the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs, Shusterman Foundation Leadership Fellowship and Leadership Greater Washington. He resides in the Washington, D.C., area with his wife Lauren and two children.

Ashley Dyson

Former Intern, World Food Prize Foundation and Student Body President Emeritus, Drake University

Ashley Dyson is a recent graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in May 2025 majoring in politics and history with minors in philosophy and human rights studies with a concentration in women and gender studies. Throughout her undergraduate experience at Drake, she held several internships including a position as a George Washington Carver Intern at the World Food Prize Foundation, a clerk at the Iowa House of Representatives and a Library Intern at the State Historical Society. Through her time working at the World Food Prize Foundation, Dyson became a committed advocate for fighting food insecurity on her own college campus. As Student Body President at Drake University during the past academic year, Ashley spent much of her time and efforts creating a food pantry available to Drake students.

Deb Fenton-Roe

U.S. Army Veteran and Co-Coordinator, Veterans Mobile Food Bank

Deb is a United States Army Veteran who has chosen the mission of service before self by continuing to serve veterans and surviving spouses. Through volunteer work, she serves as a co-coordinator of the Veterans Mobile Food Bank distribution in Wapello County—one of only two veteran-specific distributions in Iowa, alongside Polk County.

Deb is also a Wapello County Veterans Affairs Commissioner and serves on the American Legion Honor Guard, enabling Veterans to receive burial honors. In March and again this September, she is co-coordinating a three-day Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., through The Wake Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded to serve Veterans.

In her spare time, she works two days per week at River Hills Community Health Center in Ottumwa as a certified Outreach and Enrollment Coordinator. This position allows her to assist people with applying for Medicaid or Affordable Care Act insurance.

Tim Getty

Regional Nutrition Services Coordinator, Heritage Area Agency on Aging

Tim Getty is the Regional Nutrition Services Coordinator for the Heritage Area Agency on Aging and is responsible for the coordination of nutrition-related services for older adults such as on-site dining, Meals on Wheels and Nutrition Counseling for seven counties in eastern Iowa. In his 11 years at Heritage, the Nutrition Program has received various forms of national recognition: Innovations and Achievement Awards through the National Area Agencies on Aging Association, Certificate in Leadership and Nutrition through Meals on Wheels America and several large grants through national organizations and corporations. Tim holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and assists other local non-profits in Advisory Committee and Board of Directors capacities.

Linda Gorkow

Executive Director, Iowa Food Bank Association

Linda Gorkow is the executive director of the Iowa Food Bank Association (IFBA), a collaboration of the six Feeding America member food banks serving all 99 counties in Iowa. Together, the food banks coordinate efforts to provide food to more than 1,500 nonprofit organizations serving Iowans.

Throughout her career, Linda has held various community relations and marketing positions with several nonprofits and eastern Iowa businesses.

Linda grew up in Iowa and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa. She has served on numerous community groups, boards and initiatives, and was a member of the Governor’s Feeding Iowans Task Force in 2020. Linda resides in Cedar Rapids.

Alison Hard

Director of Public Policy, National WIC Association

Ali is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a wealth of experience in federal nutrition policy. Her educational background includes a BA from Columbia University and a Masters in Nutrition and Public Health from Teachers College, Columbia University. Ali previously served as the Chief Policy Officer at USDA Food and Nutrition Service and played a crucial role on the House Committee on Education and Labor, where she led the federal nutrition program and other health and human services policy. She also served as Senior Associate for Federal Government Affairs and Federal Government Affairs Manager at the National WIC Association. Her return to NWA in November 2023 coincided with the exciting anticipation of her first child, who will have a special connection to WIC, as her husband’s family relied on WIC as new immigrants in the 1980s and 1990s.

Jakob Jerabek

Graduate Student and Greenhouse Manager, Morningside University

Jakob Jerabek is a graduate teaching assistant in the horticulture program at Morningside University, specializing in innovative agricultural practices. He assists with a variety of classes focused on microgreens, poinsettia production, aquaponics, hydroponics and tower farms. Having recently earned his bachelor’s degree from Morningside, Jakob holds a teaching certification in Agricultural Education from the State of Iowa. He currently manages the campus greenhouse at Morningside which grows fresh produce for both the campus cafeteria and the Siouxland Food Bank. His expertise combines practical, hands-on knowledge with a strong educational foundation, making him a valuable resource in advancing sustainable and modern horticultural practices. He is currently pursuing a master’s in STEM education from Morningside University and plans to complete the program in the spring of 2026.

Kenzie

National Youth Council Student Leader, GENYOUth

Kenzie is a dedicated varsity and AAU basketball player with a deep passion for advancing equality in women’s sports. As a Game Grower Ambassador for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, she helped introduce a variety of sports and equipment to underserved elementary school students, making athletics more accessible to the next generation. A recognized WellStar Positive Athlete, Kenzie also visits local schools to encourage students to make healthy choices and lead positive lives.

This fall, she will continue her basketball journey at the collegiate level while majoring in Marketing. Kenzie has served on GENYOUth’s National Youth Council for four years and is currently gaining hands-on experience as a summer intern. Driven, community-focused and passionate about empowering others through sport, Kenzie is committed to making a lasting impact both on and off the court.

Laura Kloewer

Public Relations and Outreach Coordinator, Montgomery County Memorial Hospital

Laura Kloewer is the Public Relations and Outreach Coordinator at Montgomery County Memorial Hospital (MCMH) and Board Chair of Live Well Montgomery County, a nonprofit coalition dedicated to improving health and nutrition access in southwest Iowa. With more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and over a decade in healthcare, Laura is deeply rooted in the belief that strong communities are built through collaboration, equity and locally driven solutions.

At MCMH, she leads community engagement efforts and supports initiatives that address the social drivers of health including food insecurity, transportation and access to care. In her role with Live Well Montgomery County, she has helped grow and guide programs such as the mobile food pantry, community fridge, crisis food support, a thriving community garden network and nutrition education efforts.

Laura’s work sits at the intersection of communication, strategy and grassroots action. Whether she’s building partnerships, writing grants or leading a kids garden program, her focus remains the same: meeting people where they are and helping communities thrive.

Ann Marie Krautheim

Chief Executive Officer, GENYOUth

Ann Marie Krautheim, MA, RD, LD is the CEO of GENYOUth, a premier national nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring schoolchildren thrive by living well-nourished and physically active lives. With a distinguished career in nutrition and public health, she has championed innovative solutions to address health inequities and ensure equitable access to nutrition for children nationwide. As a registered dietitian, Ann Marie brings a unique blend of expertise in science, agriculture, food systems, and wellness, positioning her as a trusted authority in youth health and nutrition. A sought-after thought leader and dynamic public speaker, she frequently shares her insights on the intersection of youth wellness, public-private partnerships, and social impact. Through her visionary leadership, Ann Marie has forged strategic collaborations with Fortune 500 companies and key stakeholders, driving initiatives that address pressing needs in underserved communities. At the heart of her work is a commitment to empowering youth by elevating their voices and insights, ensuring they play an integral role in shaping impactful programs and cultivating a generation of leaders dedicated to health and wellness. Ann Marie is a proud member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council, where she contributes insights on strategic leadership and scaling nonprofit impact.

Wendi Lane

Director of Development, Blessman International

Wendi Lane is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, nonprofit advocate and passionate storyteller who uses her voice to inspire compassion, healing and lasting change. She has reported from the front lines of wildfires, hurricanes and nationally publicized tragedies, and even traveled to Ukraine to deliver aid and share the stories of those impacted by war.

After returning to her hometown of Greenfield, Iowa, Wendi joined tornado recovery efforts while also being personally affected by the storm. Her empathy for veterans is deeply rooted in the legacy of her father, a Vietnam veteran who battled alcoholism. Wendi’s powerful journey of forgiving her father has become a cornerstone of her message, offering hope to others facing pain, loss and generational wounds.

Today, Wendi serves as Director of Development for Blessman International, where she advocates for dignity, equity and hunger relief. Through faith and storytelling, she believes lives can change, wounds can heal and no one should have to struggle in silence.

Nicole Leidal

Healthy Food Access Specialist, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Nicole Leidal serves as a Healthy Food Access Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, providing pantry coaching along with nutrition education. She has over eight years of experience working with the SNAP-Ed Program and facilitating nutrition education with Iowa State Extension and Outreach.

Stacey Loftus

eCommerce Supervisor, Hy-Vee, Inc.

Stacey is a Registered Dietitian at Hy-Vee with a Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics from Iowa State University (ISU). She completed her dietetic internship through ISU at Great River Medical Center in Burlington, Iowa. Stacey is certified in adult weight management and is a trained health coach. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Stacey currently serves as an eCommerce Supervisor for Hy-Vee’s Western district, where she oversees operations for Aisles Online grocery shopping and food service. She is also an active member of the Logan Kiwanis and the Logan-Magnolia Booster Club.

Tom Martinez

Member, Coralville Community Food Pantry Board of Directors

Tom Martinez received a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Iowa with a foundation in American politics, public policy and political methodology. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of New Mexico. He has experience in both public service and nonprofit sectors. His work includes serving as an AmeriCorps member and Summer Lunch Coordinator with the Coralville Community Food Pantry where he managed food assistance programs and coordinated with local partners.

Since January 2024, he has served on the Board of Directors for the Coralville Community Food Pantry where he also chairs the Community Engagement Committee. In this role, he leads outreach initiatives, helps organize public events and works to build relationships across the community to strengthen the organization’s advocacy and education efforts.

Kelly McMahon

Kindergarten Teacher, Hoover Community Schools and Vice President, Iowa State Education Association

Kelly McMahon is a 1997 graduate of West Delaware High School. She earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa in 2002. Upon graduating from college she moved to Milwaukee, WI, and taught at Lancaster Elementary School and earned her M.A. in Reading and Language Arts. Kelly moved back to Iowa in 2011 and began teaching at Hoover Community School in Cedar Rapids. She added a Unified Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement in 2013. She just finished her 23rd year of teaching with the majority of those years teaching kindergarten. Kelly serves on the Hoover Building Leadership Team and helped lead the efforts in the process of adopting the community school model at Hoover.

Kelly has been an active union member throughout her teaching career. She currently serves as the Treasurer of the Cedar Rapids Education Association and as Vice President of the Iowa State Education Association.

Patricia Montague

Chief Executive Officer, School Nutrition Association

Patricia (Patti) Montague currently serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the School Nutrition Association (SNA) and School Nutrition Foundation (SNF). SNA is a 501(c)(4) professional association with more than 50,000 members who are responsible for providing healthy and nutritious meals to students in primary and secondary schools across the country every school day.

Patti has more than thirty-five years of association management, marketing and communications experience working at associations and advertising agencies. During her 31 years with SNA, she has held a number of different positions including Vice President of Operations and Administration, Chief Operations Officer and, in 2012, was named SNA’s CEO. Patti is a member of the American Society of Association Executives where she has served on national committees, earned her Certified Association Executive (CAE) certificate in 2005 and was named an ASAE Fellow in 2020. She currently serves as the Development Committee Past Chair for ASAE’s Foundation, ASAE’s Association Innovation Center and Association Coalition for AI. In addition, she is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management.

Mike Naig

Secretary of Agriculture, State of Iowa

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig grew up on a family farm near Cylinder in northwest Iowa and remains actively involved in its operation today. He is a graduate of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake and has spent his entire career working in agriculture.

Mike was elected as the 15th Iowa Secretary of Agriculture in November 2018 and re-elected in 2022. As Secretary, he is committed to expanding trade opportunities and growing markets, protecting Iowa’s natural resources, advocating for Iowa’s youth and making Iowa an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

Linda Nageotte

President & Chief Operating Officer, Feeding America

In her role as President & Chief Operating Officer, Nageotte helps define and implement strategy for the enterprise, co-leads work to design a strategic framework for the national network and oversees a critical portfolio including sourcing and supplying food, network relations, technology, research and innovation and board governance.

Nageotte brings 30+ years of experience working in this field including 25 years as CEO of Food Lifeline in Seattle, a member of the Feeding America national network of food banks, state associations, regional produce cooperatives, food pantries and meal programs. She is passionate about the power of collaboration, holds a deep commitment to addressing the disparate impacts of food insecurity among people and communities and believes fervently that all people should have access to the food they need not just to live – but to thrive.

Prior to Food Lifeline, Nageotte served as the executive director for Harvest Against Hunger and Sojourner’s Alliance. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and completed graduate coursework in counseling at Washington State University.

Yolanda Pina

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, Broadlawns Medical Center WIC

Yolanda has a strong passion for supporting families and promoting wellness. Her personal experience as a participant in the Iowa WIC program for seven years had a lasting impact, inspiring her to give back to her community. Today, she serves as a breastfeeding peer counselor with the WIC program, providing guidance and encouragement to mothers as they navigate their own breastfeeding journeys.

Yolanda Pina was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, where she currently lives with her husband and three children. In her free time, Yolanda enjoys reading and spending quality time with her family. A proud graduate of East High School in Des Moines, she attended college for two years before pausing her studies to focus on family. She is now preparing to resume her education with a focus on health and nutrition.

Bambi Press

Healthy Aging Director, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

In her role with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bambi Press oversees Older Americans Act congregate and home-delivered nutrition services across Iowa. She also supports the national aging network in modernizing and building the capacity of aging nutrition programs through the Nutrition and Aging Resource Center.

Bambi previously served as program director for a home-delivered nutrition program in Central Iowa focused on improving access to nutritious food and social connection for 1,000 older adults and veterans daily.

She is a registered, licensed dietitian and proud lunch lady.

Beth Romer

Choose Iowa Program Director, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Beth Romer is the program director for Choose Iowa, the state’s signature branding and marketing program for Iowa-grown, Iowa-raised and Iowa-made food, beverages and agricultural products. The Choose Iowa program was initiated by Secretary Naig and is administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

The Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Program began as a pilot authorized during the 2024 legislative session and aims to connect Iowa food banks with Choose Iowa members to help alleviate food insecurity within our communities.

Chris Schwartz

Executive Director, Iowa Food System Coalition and Supervisor, Black Hawk County

Chris Schwartz is the Executive Director of the Iowa Food System Coalition and the current Chair of the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors. For more than 25 years, Schwartz has been a community and political organizer, having worked on nearly every progressive cause of our time. Prior to joining the Iowa Food System Coalition, Schwartz spent 18 years as a state and national organizer for Americans for Democratic Action.

In 2016, Schwartz made history by becoming the first gay man to hold a countywide office in the state of Iowa when he was elected to the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors. He is now in his second term. As a County Supervisor, Schwartz has been a champion for public health, labor, infrastructure, conservation and green energy, with notable successes in all areas.

Schwartz has many active pastimes and hobbies including restoring his historic Waterloo home, which he purchased with his late husband Logun, traveling and seeking out new local and regional foods. He studied both political science and music at the University of Northern Iowa, where he was first introduced to the local foods movement. He is a multi-instrumentalist and can be found playing electric bass, theremin and synthesizers in his rock band The Harmony Electric and in a variety of jazz groups.

Shirley

High School Student and Representative, GENYOUth

Shirley is a junior in high school aspiring to become a pediatric dentist. She hopes to make a difference by building an organization that brings dental care and basic education to those who lack access to these essential resources. Currently, she enjoys finding ways to support her school and community, from advertising for blood drives to making sandwiches for the underserved.

She also loves running and pickleball. Shirley plans to focus on educating others about the critical role that nutrition and exercise play in maintaining a healthy lifestyle..

Katie Sorrell

Policy, Systems and Environmental Change Coordinator, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Katie Sorrell is a Registered Dietitian with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, overseeing food pantry coaching and Growing Together Iowa, a donation gardening program. Katie has two decades of experience with SNAP-Ed funding at ISU, the Iowa Department of Public Health and the University of California San Diego. Katie also serves on the board of a local food pantry.

Christie Welter

Clinics Navigator, Montgomery County Memorial Hospital

Christie Welter, LBSW, CLC, serves as the Clinic Navigator at Montgomery County Memorial Hospital (MCMH) + Clinics, where she plays a vital role in supporting patients with non-medical needs that impact health. With over 30 years of experience in social work and healthcare, Christie brings both professional expertise and a deep commitment to serving others.

She works directly with individuals who screen positive for social determinants of health, connecting them to resources related to food insecurity, housing, transportation, utility assistance, hygiene items and more. Christie also assists eligible patients with medication access programs, facilitates internal care coordination and serves as a Certified Lactation Counselor, helping breastfeeding parents navigate early infant feeding challenges. As a Wellness Coach for MCMH’s internal employee wellness program, she supports staff in setting and achieving personal health and well-being goals.

A licensed social worker and graduate of Wartburg College, Christie is passionate about meeting people where they are and helping them access the tools they need to thrive. Her work ensures that every patient is seen, supported and connected to the care and resources they deserve.