Renee Cooper

Renee Cooper joined the World Food Prize Foundation in August of 2023. In her role as Senior Program Manager, Global Youth Programs and Partnerships, Renee manages the World Food Prize Foundation’s USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship and Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, and supports the Foundation’s Youth Program Alumni engagement efforts.

Prior to joining the World Food Prize Foundation, Renee worked as the World Food Prize Nebraska Youth Institute Coordinator at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. In addition to her work with the Nebraska Youth Institute, she also worked in recruitment and retention of agricultural leadership, education and communication students. Renee has various international experiences including studying abroad in Ecuador and Ethiopia and living in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Renee graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2015 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology. She received her Masters of Science in Global Health from the Brighton and Sussex Medical School in Sussex, United Kingdom in 2017.
Ashlee Dean
Ashlee Dean joined the World Food Prize Foundation in September 2026 as Manager II, Communications. In this role, Ashlee leads the Foundation’s social media strategy and digital engagement across multiple platforms, helping shape how the organization shares its mission, programs and impact with audiences in Iowa and around the world.

Ashlee develops and executes social media strategies, oversees digital content and website information and analyzes audience engagement to identify opportunities to strengthen the Foundation’s reach and visibility. She helps tell compelling stories about the people, ideas and innovations advancing global food security while maintaining a consistent and engaging Foundation voice and brand. Ashlee also oversees the Foundation’s Reserve Corps Volunteer Program, coordinating volunteers who provide important support for the Foundation’s programs, events and activities throughout the year.

Prior to joining the World Food Prize Foundation, Ashlee built her professional experience in the nonprofit sector. She served as Communications Coordinator for the Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children, where she managed communications and outreach across multiple channels to engage internal and external audiences and advance the organization’s mission. She also served as Communications Coordinator for Refugee & Immigrant Voices in Action.

Ashlee graduated from Grand View University with bachelor’s degrees in Communications and Media Practice and Spanish for Business Translation, with a minor in Sports Management.