Lakeisha Perkins
25th Class, 2018-2019

Lakeisha graduated with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture & society from Iowa State University in May 2018 where her major focused largely on courses from sociology, political science, and economics to prepare students to become leaders in addressing complex issues related to the social and human dimensions of agriculture, such as poverty and food insecurity, at both the local and global level. As an undergraduate student, she worked as a Cyclone Aide, Peer Mentor and Teaching Assistant to foster an environment that encourages diversity and inclusion and gained valuable written and verbal communication skills, project management skills and skills in event management. In addition to her education and work experiences, Lakeisha spent much of her childhood growing up poor and hungry, living in shelters and churches in Des Moines, Iowa. Her firsthand experiences, combined with her education, has been the fuel for Lakeisha’s passion to contribute to anti-poverty and anti-hunger efforts and bridge the gap between those that suffer from hunger, poverty, and oppression and those that do not, while eliminating the harmful stereotypes surrounding them.

Amelia Foley
9th Class, 2017-2019

Amelia Foley is a nutrition professional with six years of experience in international and domestic nutrition programming, who specializes in qualitative research, monitoring and evaluation, food security, and maternal and child undernutrition. Amelia has worked for food and nutrition justice with a number of organizations including the United Nation’s World Food Programme, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia, Atlanta Community Food Bank, CARE-USA, D.C. Central Kitchen, and Emory’s School of Medicine. She has served as an Anti-Hunger AmeriCorps Volunteer in Washington D.C. and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Zambia; these experiences furthered her resolve to become an agent of positive change for maternal and child nutrition. Amelia is a Registered Dietitian, holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Public Health in Global Health from Emory University. Her Master’s research examined the real and perceived barriers preventing mothers from adopting infant and young child feeding practices recommended by the Government of Malawi’s stunting prevention programme. As a Leland Fellow, Amelia aims to further develop her knowledge and skills related to international anti-hunger work.