Presenters & Speakers

Cara Augspurger, Executive Director of the Grace Care Center Foundation, leads efforts to combat hunger and financial instability in Central Indiana. With a B.S. in Agricultural Communications and an Ed.M. from the University of Illinois, she is passionate about innovative food security solutions. As a CFRE, she connects donors to lasting change.

Darilyn Bedel leads Rush County Community Assistance, providing food support beyond income and government aid. Partnering with Gleaners of Indiana and Midwest Food Bank, she strengthens local hunger relief as part of the Feeding America Network, ensuring families in need have access to nutritious food.

Rachel Brandenburg is the Food Distribution Manager for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. A Valparaiso University graduate in Geography, she has experience in beverage sales, restaurants, Market Wagon, and farming. She now strengthens farmer-food buyer connections through the Resilient Food Systems and Infrastructure grant program.

Emily Weikert Bryant is the Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, the network of Feeding America food banks in Indiana. With a background in state policy and legislative work, she previously served as legal counsel for the Indiana Senate Minority Caucus. She holds a B.A. from the University of Evansville and a J.D. from Indiana University.

Cori Chatterton is the Community Food Systems Manager for the Indiana Department of Health. With degrees in Public Health and Health Policy Management from Purdue University, she previously served as a Community Wellness Coordinator for Purdue Extension. She now connects local growers to food access points, expanding her impact in the state.

David Coates is the Economic Development Director for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. A Wheeling University graduate in Nuclear Medicine, he brings expertise in agriculture, entrepreneurship, and economic development. He connects agribusinesses and farmers to resources, fostering local food access and food security across Indiana.

Dr. Claudia Coplein is the Chief Health Officer at Corteva Agriscience, focusing on employee well-being, product safety, and food security. A military veteran and former Chief Medical Officer at Tyson Foods, she has held leadership roles at GE, MetLife, and others. She holds an MD, JD, and multiple master’s degrees in Public Health, Business, and Environmental Management.

Shannon Cagle Dawson is the producer of The Working Hungry (2022) and its sequel, Food, Insecure, documentaries highlighting food insecurity in Indiana. Through storytelling, she sheds light on hunger, economic hardship, and the realities faced by working families struggling to afford food.

The Rescue Kitchen Network, led by Katie Funk of La Soupe and Nora Spitznogle of Second Helpings, helps organizations scale food rescue efforts. Katie, with a Business Administration degree from the University of Richmond, builds capacity at La Soupe. Nora, a Purdue graduate in Hospitality Management, has led programs at Second Helpings for 20 years.

Fred Glass, President & CEO of Gleaners Food Bank, is an attorney and civic leader with a history of public service. He served as Chief of Staff to Governor Evan Bayh, led Indianapolis’ Capital Improvement Board, and was Indiana University’s Athletic Director. His 2021 book, Making Your Own Luck, highlights personal empowerment and values-based leadership.

Freida Graves, Director of Food is Medicine at Faith CDC and a former nurse, leads initiatives addressing food insecurity and health disparities in Gary, Indiana. She collaborates on GusNIP, NIFA, and IDOH programs while driving food justice efforts through giveaways, urban agriculture, and internships, advocating for systemic change.

Andrew Green is the Assistant Executive Director at Shepherd Community Center, where he has served for 19 years in various leadership roles. With a background in youth work, he holds a B.A. from Spring Arbor University and an MSW from the University of Michigan. He enjoys family time, sports, and home projects and serves on local nonprofit and church boards.

Eric Halvorson is Manager of Public Affairs for Kroger’s Central Division, where he helps advance initiatives addressing food insecurity and community nutrition. A former Emmy-winning anchor at WISH-TV, he also produced documentaries for WFYI and taught political communication at the University of Indianapolis.

Denise Jamerson, a fifth-generation farmer at Greer Farms in historic Lyles Station, Indiana, co-owns Legacy Taste of the Garden, empowering farmers and communities through education and networking. She also manages Indiana’s LFPA Program and serves on advisory boards for Annie’s Project and Purdue Extension, advocating for small and underserved farmers.

Don Lamb is the Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, re-appointed by Governor Mike Braun in December 2024. A second-generation farmer, he helps run Lamb Farms in Boone County, producing corn, popcorn, seed soybeans, and wheat. He also co-owns AgRecycle, a composting business, and Lamb Farms Agronomy, providing agronomy services to local farmers.

Dave Miner is a leader in hunger relief and leading expert on hunger in Indiana, serving as Research Leader for Indy Hunger Network and past Volunteer Executive Director of the Interfaith Hunger Initiative. With a background at Eli Lilly and Elanco, he now focuses on data-driven food insecurity solutions, serves on the Board of Directors for Bread for the World and co-produces The Working Hungry and Food, Insecurity.

Eric Pfeiffer is President of Hoosier Ag Today, managing the content and production of agricultural programming that airs on over 100 radio stations in Indiana and in Michigan on their sister network Michigan Ag Today. He's also the host of the Indiana Ag Policy Podcast and the award-winning Purdue Crop Chat podcast.

Dr. Virginia Pleasant is Interim Director of Food Systems Initiatives at Purdue Northwest and Co-Executive Director of the NWI Food Council. She helps build Indiana’s regional food system through leadership in the Indiana Value Chain Network, Indiana Grown for Schools, and Great Lakes food initiatives, fostering collaboration and resilience.

Dr. Deanna Reinoso is a board-certified pediatrician and lifestyle medicine physician serving as Medical Director of Social Determinants of Health at Eskenazi Health. She integrates social needs care into healthcare, addressing food insecurity and disparities. She helped establish Crooked Creek Food Pantry and Fresh for You Market to provide nutritious food access.

Heidi Spahn, Global Corporate and Community Investment Leader at Corteva Agriscience, drives philanthropic efforts addressing hunger and food security. She leads corporate giving, global relief, and volunteer initiatives, serving on boards like Indiana 4-H and Global Child Nutrition Foundation to strengthen communities.

Lee White, CEO of Secured Site Services, connects corporate and nonprofit sectors to address hunger and poverty in Indianapolis. A leader in economic empowerment, he is actively involved in CICF, Indy Chamber, and Ten Point Coalition. Through board roles, he fosters collaboration to drive impactful community solutions.

DeAndre Wilson is a community advocate and culinary entrepreneur tackling food insecurity in Evansville’s Southside. As co-founder of Bedford Collab and Turn Table, he supports local food entrepreneurs. He also serves on the Food Commission and co-launched an after-school cooking club to empower students through food education.

Legita Wilson works in nutrition education and food access, providing statewide nutrition education for CSFP and TEFAP clients through Indiana Department of Health. She supports fresh food access for low-income residents. She collaborates with Indiana WIC, food banks, and state agencies to enhance food security and nutrition education across Indiana.