Why,
Hunger?

BILL AYRES

CO-FOUNDER AND AMBASSADOR

Bill co-founded WhyHunger in 1975 with the late singer Harry Chapin.Since its founding, Bill has developed and implemented meaningful and innovative hunger and poverty programs and has led local initiatives to promote ideas and policies that have made significant impacts upon the communities that they serve, including the creation of the New York Hunger Hotline in New York City and the Center for Food Action in New Jersey. He has led local initiatives to promote ideas and policies that have made significant impacts upon the communities that they serve. Under Bill’s direction, WhyHunger has served as a founding member of the National Association of Hunger Organizations (NAHO) and the National Jobs for All Coalition. He is also a member of the board of advisors of Long Island Cares, Long Island’s food bank. Bill has been a broadcaster on commercial radio and TV for the past 40 years and currently hosts two weekly Sunday night radio shows on WPLJ 95.5 FM in New York. Through his work in communications, Bill has developed extensive contacts in the world of media. He is the co-author with Pete Fornatale of the book All You Need is Love (Simon & Schuster) and writes and records music. Bill is married to Life Coach Jeannine Ayres. They have two daughters Michelle and Suzanne and one granddaughter Jaida Lynn.

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SUZANNE BABB

SENIOR CO-DIRECTOR OF U.S. PROGRAMS

In partnership with Senior Co-Director, Lorrie Clevenger, Suzanne develops and oversees the implementation of WhyHunger’s domestic strategies: Transforming the Emergency Food System, Black Food Sovereignty and Labor and Economic Justice. Suzanne helps to convene and support regional and national networks and alliances of emergency food organizations working to ensure the right to food by addressing the systemic inequities resulting in hunger and poverty. Additionally, Suzanne supports the growth of BIPOC led food sovereignty organizations, networks and alliances by mobilizing resources and providing technical support to aid in the creation of legislation, infrastructure and institutional structures grounded in equity and justice. Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Canada Suzanne has many years of experience working on community development projects within the English-speaking Black community of Montreal on issues of education, employment and health. Prior to joining WhyHunger, Suzanne was the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Get Healthy Harlem website at the Harlem Health Promotion Center. Suzanne is a member of Black Urban Growers, an organization of volunteers committed to building community support for urban and rural growers and nurturing collective Black leadership, and an urban farmer at La Finca del Sur Urban Farm, a Black and Latina women led farm, in the South Bronx. She holds a BS from Concordia University and an MPH from Columbia University.

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TASH CLARKE

Finance and Development Assistant

Tash Clarke is WhyHunger’s Finance and Development Assistant. She supports the day-to-day operations of the finance and development teams including data entry, database management, grant documentation and administrative duties. Tash’s attention to detail and organizational skills help ensure smooth financial processes across the organization. Tash graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a bachelor’s degree and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

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LORRIE CLEVENGER

SENIOR CO-DIRECTOR OF U.S. PROGRAMS

Lorrie helps connect, build, and support the expansion and collaboration of US-based networks, alliances, and social movements organizing for and creating new legislation, infrastructure, and institutions grounded in equity and justice. In partnership with Senior Co-Director, Suzanne Babb, Lorrie develops and oversees WhyHunger’s US Program strategies:  Transforming the Emergency Food System, Black Food Sovereignty, and Labor and Economic Justice.  In addition to her role at WhyHunger, Lorrie is an organic vegetable farmer and owner at Rise & Root Farm, a women-owned, cooperative farm based in Chester, NY. Lorrie is a founding member of Farm School NYC and Black Urban Growers. She holds a BA and MEd from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

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IRACEMA DREW

Senior Specialist, Grant Writing and Donor Engagement

Iracema Drew is the Development Writing Coordinator at WhyHunger, where she supports the development team’s work with current and potential donors. With an MFA from the Iowa Writers Workshop, she cares deeply about storytelling and enjoys sharing some of the work WhyHunger’s grassroots partners are doing with our donors. Iracema is from Teófilo Otoni, Brazil, as well as Cobleskill, NY, and outside of work, you would probably find her reading or eating something involving cheese.

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JOHN EL-MARAGHY

INDIVIDUAL GIVING MANAGER

John is the Individual Giving lead at WhyHunger, where he combines a background in hospitality, grassroots work, and corporate partnerships. Previously, he was Senior Officer of Corporate Partnerships at New York Cares, collaborating with Fortune 500 companies on impactful volunteer programs. He also worked in Emergency Disaster Services and Volunteer Management with the Salvation Army of NJ and remains active with Archangel Raphael’s Mission, a nonprofit focused on health and hygiene. John holds a Bachelor’s in Public Health from Rutgers University’s Bloustein School and certifications in Advanced Emergency Management, Mental Health First Aid, and CPR. Before his nonprofit career, he spent over a decade in the restaurant industry, from fine dining to local pubs. A New Jersey native, but proud New York Rangers fan, John lives in Jersey City with his wife, Kelsey, and their Pyrenees-Pitt mix, Henry.

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JOÃO FONSECA

GLOBAL MOVEMENTS PROGRAM MANAGER

João is the Global Movements Program Manager at WhyHunger, which entails coordinating the management of grantmaking practices and protocols for Global Movements as well as relationship building of global partners and allies as well as foundations and philanthropic institutions. João became motivated to work in the advocacy realm while attaining his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Pace University and more specifically in food justice while interning for a Portuguese government entity focused on food security/safety procedures. The thesis for his Master’s Degree in International Relations centered on the importance of food safety for a developing state. He was born and raised in Portugal and moved to the United States at age 14. He enjoys reading, collecting records and playing an absurd amount of videogames.

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REGINA GINYARD

SENIOR MANAGER OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Regina Ginyard is the Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships at WhyHunger, where she leads efforts to cultivate and steward relationships that expand the organization’s reach and visibility, amplify the work of programming partners, and provide support to fundraising initiatives. With over a decade of experience in food sovereignty, urban agriculture, and community engagement, Regina has worked to address the inequalities related to lack of access to healthy food options within historical marginalized communities Before joining WhyHunger, Regina worked as the Project Manager at The Farms at NYCHA initiative, a multi-partner urban farming project improving health outcomes across New York City. She was a founding member of La Finca Del Sur, co-organized the first Bronx Food Summit, and has held leadership roles with the Brooklyn Food Coalition, The Campaign Against Hunger and The Food Trust. Regina is also a co-founder of the Black Farmers and Urban Gardeners National Conference, a national gathering of Black farmers, urban gardeners and related groups.

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HARVEY GLADDEN

Sr. Content & Creative Manager

Harvey Gladden is a digital content and communications specialist with more than a decade of experience crafting unique, head-turning digital experiences in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. As Sr. Manager, he leads the strategy, development, and implementation of content to help drive forward WhyHunger’s mission and brand. Prior to joining WhyHunger, Harvey served as a Digital Communications Officer at an Ivy League university, producing memorable and impactful digital content for global audiences. Originally from South Florida, Harvey grew up in Fort Pierce and holds a B.A. in English from the University of South Florida. He’s an avid cyclist, hiker, and generally enjoys getting active outdoors.

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JASMINE GOWANS

Hotline Assistant

Jasmine responds to hotline calls and voicemails from those who are in need of food assistance. She also helps update the database and find food resources to assist those in need. For years she worked with The Department of Education and Scholastic. Her hobbies are playing video games, drawing, collecting figurines & posters, decorating and watching old tv shows and cartoons.

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ATHENA HANTZARIDIS

SENIOR SPECIALIST, DONOR DATA AND RESEARCH

As the Senior Specialist for Donor Data and Research, Athena brings her background in research, social justice, and program management to the Development Team at WhyHunger. With six years of national and international NGO experience, Athena is passionate about using data to drive social change and inform public policy. Athena holds a B.A. in International Relations from Boston University and a M.A. in Politics and Economics from the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki, Greece. Athena’s primary research interest is examining the compounding impact of the gender-binary on humanitarian crises, with a specific focus on gender-based violence prevention. Outside of WhyHunger you can find Athena volunteering, cooking, or embroidering!

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HOLLY MACDONALD

HEAD OF ARTISTS AGAINST HUNGER & POVERTY (AAH&P)

Holly is a cultural strategist, implementing initiatives with musicians, celebrities, and public figures across culture for WhyHunger. Holly comes to WhyHunger with nearly a decade of agency experience at the intersection of pop culture and social impact through award-winning national and international campaigns. Holly came to WhyHunger inspired by the organization’s intersectional approach to systems thinking. As Nina Simone once said, “An artist’s duty is to reflect the times.” Overseeing Artists Against Hunger & Poverty, Holly works as WhyHunger’s advocate to the entertainment industry to garner partnerships, allies, and co-conspirators on this principle. Before joining WhyHunger, Holly worked on major campaigns and projects, like the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund’s preservation work, the Skoll Foundation’s Skoll World Forum, the Gates Foundation’s Art of Saving a Life, and the GRAMMY Music Education Coalition launch. She has been nominated for a Shorty Award and has been a part of work that has received accolades from The TODAY Show, Billboard, New York Times, Huffington Post, Variety, Fader, and more. From New York, she now resides in Los Angeles, CA.

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LAUREN MCCALISTER

U.S. PROGRAMS COORDINATOR

As WhyHunger’s U.S. Programs Coordinator, Lauren provides technical and logistical support for organizing shared learning spaces.
After pulling their first carrot out of the ground of a community garden plot, Lauren has worked cooperatively to impact local food initiatives in the Midwest. Lauren is a Black farmer, rancher, food systems researcher, food sovereignty activist, and textile artist. Before WhyHunger, Lauren served on the Board of Directors for Bloomingfoods Co-op as the Benjamin Banneker Community Center Garden Educator, on the Bloomington Food Policy Council, and on the Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education Grant committee. Lauren provides technical assistance to farmers, hosts educational conferences, and strategizes to center the needs of Black, Indigenous, and Producers of Color in the food system. Since 2022, Lauren conducted research in partnership with Indiana University to address food apartheid with community-based solutions.

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ANNAICK MILLER

Sr. Communications and Strategy Manager

Annaick Miller is a strategic communications specialist with over a decade of experience advancing nonprofit work through storytelling, digital strategy, and campaign development. Currently, she leads on communication strategies that deepen visibility and impact. Prior to WhyHunger, she was the Director of Communications and Outreach at a human rights oral history nonprofit. Annaick previously worked at a gender justice NGO, developing communication plans and producing research and advocacy publications. Annaick grew up in Berkeley and holds a B.A. from Tufts University in Political Science, with a minor in Media and Communications. She is committed to community-driven solutions for justice and believes in the transformative power of storytelling to shift narratives and drive change. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, cooking, and lounging in parks with friends.

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ANGELICA PERALTA

Social Media Specialist

Angelica Peralta is a passionate communications professional dedicated to amplifying voices that drive social change. As the Social Media Specialist at WhyHunger, she harnesses the power of social platforms to share compelling narratives that highlight the organization’s global impact. Born and raised in New York City to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, Angelica’s perspective is shaped by her rich cultural heritage and lived experiences. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Entrepreneurship from the University of Miami, she deepened her connection to her roots by living in the Dominican Republic, where she worked on initiatives that empowered communities of color. With a dynamic career spanning multiple industries and international experiences, Angelica is committed to using data analytics, community engagement, and social media strategy to inspire action. Grounded in faith and driven by purpose, she continues to advocate for equity and social justice, ensuring that every story she tells sparks meaningful change.

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PATRICIA ROJAS

WhyHunger Hotline and Database Manager, Nourish Network for the Right to Food

Patricia responds to telephone calls from individuals and groups in need of emergency food resources and connects them with local emergency feeding program. Additionally, she works with callers interested in donating food, seeking volunteer opportunities or looking for assistance in starting their own emergency feeding program. Patricia helps develop resources to assist grassroots groups in providing better services to their clients with an emphasis on hunger and poverty issues. She also recruits and trains all of the Nourish Interns and volunteers throughout the year. Previously, Patricia worked for YAI where she trained adults with developmental disabilities at volunteer opportunities. She has a B.A. from Barnard College and a M.S from The New School. She also is a volunteer guide at the Central Park Zoo.

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KARLY SMITH

INSTITUTIONAL GIVING MANAGER

Karly Smith (she/her) serves WhyHunger as the Institutional Giving Manager. As a part of the development team, she works to secure support from foundations and aligned corporations. She also works in collaboration with the Artists Against Hunger & Poverty program to establish institutional partnerships in support of artist activations and campaigns. Karly is passionate about creating transformational relationships between donors and community partners. Karly has worked in development for over five years, mobilizing resources for Malawian burn units, North Carolina based nonprofits, housing justice, community gardens, reproductive justice, and Black feminist organizations. She is passionate about mental health, arts access, and oral history. She holds a  B.A. in Sociology and African American Studies with a minor in Social & Economic Justice from The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Outside of WhyHunger, you can find Karly reading, throwing pottery, or eating with loved ones.

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