Media Contact:
Colleen Barton
cbarton@frac.org
703-203-7843
WASHINGTON, December 18, 2024 – The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) today announced that Kellie Adesina, Director of Government Affairs at the Kraft Heinz Company, has been named the new Chair of its Board of Directors effective January 1, 2025. She succeeds Mayra E. Alvarez, president of The Children’s Partnership.
“Kellie has been an incredibly active and passionate member of our Board, and we look forward to her ongoing dedication and leadership in her new role as Chair,” said Crystal FitzSimons, interim president at FRAC. “Her combined experience in the government and corporate sectors will continue to be incredible assets to the Board, to FRAC, and to our network of anti-hunger advocates across the country.”
In her position at Kraft Heinz Company, Adesina develops and implements advocacy strategies on a range of nutrition and agricultural issues. She previously served in a similar role at Bayer, where she was responsible for engaging Federal government officials on crop science issues.
Prior to these roles, Adesina served as Chief Counsel on the House Agriculture Committee where she successfully drafted several provisions included in the 2018 Farm Bill. Before that, she was Senior Counselor in the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Legislative Director to then Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge; and Legislative Counsel to Congresswoman Judy Chu. She started her career on Capitol Hill working for Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, her home state.
Adesina holds a Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Bethune-Cookman College. She is a founder of Black Professionals in Food and Agriculture (BPFA) and sits on the Board of Directors for CHC: Creating Healthier Communities.
”We truly appreciate all that has been accomplished under Mayra’s leadership and look forward to Kellie building on that success as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead to build a nation free from hunger,” added FitzSimons.
To learn more about FRAC’s efforts to end hunger in America, visit www.FRAC.org.
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The Food Research & Action Center improves the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy, partnerships, and by advancing bold and equitable policy solutions. To learn more, visit FRAC.org and follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
