Leadership

Stacy Dean

Carbonell Family Executive Director 

As Executive Director, Dean champions the institute’s mission to change the world through the power of food. She is a renowned national food policy leader with more than 30 years of experience in the government and non-profit sectors, dedicated to improving nutrition assistance for struggling Americans and tackling barriers ingrained within nutrition programs. Her distinguished career includes her most recent role as the Deputy Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, where she led the Administration’s work on federal nutrition programs. In this role, Dean was instrumental in strengthening the agency’s efforts on food and nutrition security as well as local food systems and resilience. 

Prior to her role at USDA, Dean served as the Vice President for Food Assistance Policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, where she led their research and advocacy work on federal nutrition programs as well as other safety net programs. She has authored scores of papers and analyses on federal nutrition programs, testified before Congress and has been frequently quoted in the media, including the NYTimes, Politico and other publications. 

Stacy holds a Master’s in Public Policy and a BA from the University of Michigan. 

 

 

 

José Andrés
Founder

José Andrés is the founder of the Global Food Institute at the George Washington University. Born in Spain, where he learned the craft of cooking first from his parents and then in the kitchen of Ferran Adrià’s groundbreaking avant-garde restaurant elBulli – José Andrés immigrated to the United States in 1991, first to New York City and later to Washington, D.C., where he and his partners established a global group of restaurants that has earned countless fans and won numerous awards over the years.

A proud "Washingtonian with an accent" who serves as Chairman Emeritus of DC Central Kitchen, José holds close both his identity as a Spanish immigrant and an American citizen, placing upon himself the responsibility of both culinary ambassador and immigrant representing the two nations. He is a visionary and a humanitarian, establishing World Central Kitchen in 2010 – a first-to-the-frontlines nonprofit organization providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.

José has long been a beloved member of the GW community, launching his famous "World On A Plate" class for undergraduates a decade ago and delivering the University’s 2014 Commencement address on the National Mall, at which he received his honorary doctorate in public service.

He has been widely recognized for both his culinary and his humanitarian work, including by the James Beard Foundation – which has named him Outstanding Chef and Humanitarian of the Year; TIME Magazine, which included him on the list of 100 Most Influential People in 2012 and 2018; and President Obama, who awarded José the National Humanities Medal in 2015. In 2022, President Biden appointed José to co-chair the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

 

 

 

William H. Dietz
Director of Research and Policy

William (Bill) Dietz is the Director of the Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at The George Washington University. He is also the Sumner M. Redstone Center Chair. Dietz is a member of the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) and serves as a consultant to the Roundtable on Obesity Solutions. He is the Director of the STOP Obesity Alliance at The George Washington University. He is Co-Chair of the Washington, DC Department of Health’s Diabesity Committee, a Commissioner on the Washington, DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s Healthy Youth & Schools Commission, and Chair of its Subcommittee on Physical Activity. Dietz is also Co-Chair of The Lancet Commission on Obesity.

From 1997-2012, Dietz was the Director of the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity in the Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Prior to his appointment to the CDC, he was a Professor of Pediatrics at the Tuft's University School of Medicine, and Director of Clinical Nutrition at the Floating Hospital of New England Medical Center Hospitals. He received his BA from Wesleyan University in 1966 and his MD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1970. After the completion of his residency at Upstate Medical Center, he received a PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1981. He is the author of more than 200 publications in the scientific literature, and the editor of five books, including Clinical Obesity in Adults and Children (now in its 2nd edition), and Nutrition: What Every Parent Needs to Know.

 

 

 

Tara A. Scully
Director of Curriculum Development

Tara A. Scully is the Director of the Sustainability Minor Program and an Associate Professor of Biology at the George Washington University. At GW, she regularly teaches introductory biology and sustainability courses and laboratories to non-science majors. She teaches seven different courses, four in biology for non-science majors which are lab and service-based and three signature courses in sustainability program. The Biology of Nutrition and Health; The Ecology and Evolution of Organisms; Food, Nutrition, and Service; Understanding Organisms through Service Learning; Introduction to Sustainability; Culminating Experience in Sustainability, and World on a Plate by Chef José Andrés.

Scully received an MS, specializing in forensic science research with a concentration on fiber evidence, and a PhD with a research focus on developmental biology from The George Washington University. She has authored many research articles along with the book Discovering Biology in the Lab: An Introductory Laboratory Manual as well as Why We Eat Food. Scully works with many different DMV area community partners on topics ranging from nutrition to invasive species. Her service and instructional work has resulted in being awarded the university-wide Faculty Engagement Award 2016 from the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service and the 2019 Morton Bender Teaching Award.

 

Mya O. Price

Assistant Professor

Dr. Mya O. Price is a visionary leader deeply committed to advancing food justice, examining both local and global food system movements, sustainable agriculture, and community well-being. As an Assistant Professor at The George Washington University Global Food Institute, she leverages her extensive background in academia and community engagement to enact substantial change. Known for her pioneering educational strategies, Dr. Price has notably enhanced learning outcomes and student engagement.

In her academic role, Dr. Price teaches transformative courses including "World on a Plate" by José Andrés, "Global Food Institute Freshman Seminar," and "Introduction to Food Studies," skillfully blending theoretical insights with practical challenges to engage students with real-world issues. Her current role as President and CEO of The Root Cause Coalition, her active participation in the DC Food Policy Council, her past leadership at Feeding America's Food Security Equity Impact Fund, and her involvement in the Farm Foundation Agricultural Scholar program underscore her significant contributions to food policy and agricultural innovation.

Holding a Ph.D. in Urban Leadership & Entrepreneurship from the University of the District of Columbia and a Master’s Degree in Community & Leadership Development from the University of Kentucky, Dr. Price brings a wealth of knowledge to her community-centric initiatives. As a recognized expert and sought-after speaker, her work drives meaningful community and policy advancements, making a lasting impact on the sectors she touches.

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Laura Mindlin

Program Manager

Laura brings over a decade of expertise to the Global Food Institute dedicated to fostering equitable and resilient food systems spanning grassroots initiatives to policy development. Laura has contributed to efforts to promote farmland affordability and expand access to conservation programs with organizations including The Conservation Fund, American Farmland Trust, and National Young Farmers Coalition.

With her training in community-engaged planning, Laura has consulted on projects with local land trusts, food hubs and academic institutions aimed at strengthening regional food economies and supporting small to mid-scale farmers. Drawn to the unique role of academic institutions in facilitating food system change, she recently developed a sustainable agriculture education program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is now thrilled to return to work in an academic setting with the Global Food Institute.   

Laura holds a Masters of Environmental Management from Duke University, specializing in environmental policy and climate-resilient agriculture, and earned a graduate certificate in Community-Based Environmental Management. 

 

 

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Rebecca Shaw-Rossignol

Senior Communications Associate

Over the past decade, Rebecca has worked in communications at two trade associations that support public education: AASA, The School Superintendents Association and the National School Public Relations Association. She also led digital media advocacy campaigns at the Food Action & Research Center (FRAC), the leading national nonprofit organization working to eradicate poverty-related hunger and undernutrition in the United States. 

As the Senior Communications Associate for the Global Food Institute at the George Washington University, she researches, writes, edits, and distributes communications (e.g., website content, articles, newsletters, emails, correspondence, one-pagers, social media) to internal and external audiences in support of strategic objectives and furthering the institute's mission.

 Rebecca holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the George Washington University and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Bryn Mawr College.

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Michelle Feigler

Executive Associate

Michelle’s unique combination of expertise in executive support, clinical psychology, and her passion for food-related social issues makes her an integral part of the Global Food Institute team. 

Before joining GFI, Michelle served as an Executive Assistant at Boston Consulting Group, where she managed complex executive schedules and operations, demonstrating her organizational expertise and ability to navigate fast-paced, high-level environments. Her experience as a Mental Health Counselor also shaped her ability to listen attentively, problem-solve, and provide compassionate support, skills she now applies to her work in the academic sector.

 At the Global Food Institute, Michelle’s role is centered around supporting GFI’s leadership team in executing initiatives that promote food security, agricultural innovation, and equitable community engagement. With a deep passion for making a meaningful impact in food policy and education, Michelle is dedicated to helping the team achieve its vision of creating positive, lasting change in global food systems. 

Michelle holds a Bachelor's degree in Clinical Psychology with a minor in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Global Food Institute Affiliate Faculty

GFI's affiliate faculty program brings together faculty to collaborate across disciplines on food system topics. Our affiliate faculty members are developing GFI food related courses, identifying areas of common interest for research, and building projects related to GFI tenets. GFI affiliate faculty also participate in outreach events and engage with our external partners. 

• Randall Abate, Assistant Dean for Environmental Law Studies, GW Law, [email protected] 
• Abiola Afolayan, Adjunct, Elliott School of International Affairs, [email protected]
• Ramin Asgary, Professor, Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, [email protected]
• Masha Belenky, Professor of French; Director, Centre d’Excellence, Department of Romance, German, & Slavic Languages & Literatures, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, [email protected] 
• Barbara Braffet, Associate Research Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Milken Institute School of Public Health, [email protected] 
• Daniel (Kuan- Lung) Chen, Assistant Research Professor; Associate Director of Research, Center for Community Resilience, Milken Institute School of Public Health [email protected] 
• Uriyoan Colon-Ramos, Associate Professor, Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, [email protected] 
• Patrick Corr, Assistant Program Director, Integrative Medicine; Assistant Professor of Clinical Research and Leadership, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, [email protected] 
• Katya Cronin, Associate Professor of Fundamentals of Lawyering, GW Law, [email protected]
• Jonathan Deason, Professor & co-Director, Environmental & Energy Management Institute, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, [email protected] 
• Michael Edwards, Adjunct Professor, The Graduate School of Political Management, College of Professional Studies, [email protected]
• Rachel Emas, Associate Teaching Professor of Public Policy and Public Administration; Director of the Master of Arts in Environmental Resource Policy (MA-ENRP), Trachtenberg School of Public Policy & Public Administration, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, [email protected] 
• John Forrer, Associate Research Professor of Strategic Management & Public Policy, GW School of Business; Associate Faculty, Trachtenberg School of Public Policy & Public Administration, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, [email protected]
• James Foster, Oliver T. Carr, Jr. Professor of International Affairs and Professor of Economics, Elliott School of International Affairs, [email protected]
• Leigh Frame, Executive Director of the Office of Integrative Medicine and Health; Program Director, Integrative Medicine program; Associate Director of the GW Resiliency & Well-being Center; Associate Professor of Clinical Research and Leadership; Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies; School of Medicine & Health Sciences, [email protected] 
• Iselin Gambert, Director, Fundamentals of Lawyering Program; Professor, Fundamentals of Lawyering; Faculty Co-Director, Animal Legal Education Initiative; GW Law School, ​​[email protected] 
• Andy Garrett, Section Chief for Emergency Health Operations and Medical Director for Emergency Health Programs; Associate Professor of Clinical Research and Leadership; Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine; Associate Professor of Global Health; School of Medicine & Health Sciences, [email protected] 
• Erica Gralla, Associate Professor, Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, [email protected] 
• Steve Hansch, Lecturer, Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, [email protected] 
• Timothy Harlan, Executive Director, GW Culinary Medicine Program; Associate Professor of Medicine; School of Medicine & Health Sciences, [email protected]
• Gabby Headrick, Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, [email protected]
• Kathy Hessler, Assistant Dean for Animal Legal Education; Director of the Animal Legal Education Initiative, GW Law, [email protected] 
• Nabila Hijazi, Teaching Assistant Professor of Writing, University Writing Program, Columbian Colleges of Arts & Sciences, [email protected]
• Moses Kansanga, Assistant Professor of Geography and International Affairs; Environmental Studies Undergraduate Advisor; Department of Geography, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, [email protected] 
• Michael Keidar, A. James Clark Professor of Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, School of Engineering and Applied Science, [email protected]
• Ivy Ken, Associate Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, [email protected] 
• Anthony Knopps, Instructor, The Graduate School of Political Management, College of Professional Studies, [email protected] 
• Barbara Kowalcyk, Associate Professor, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences; Director of Food Policy Institute; Faculty, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Milken Institute School of Public Health, [email protected]
• Samuel Ledermann, Assistant Professor of the Practice of International Affairs; Director, Global Capstone; Elliott School of International Affairs, [email protected] 
• Arielle Levites, Executive Director, Collaborative for Applied Studies in Jewish Education (CASJE); Research Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership; The Graduate School of Education and Human Development, [email protected]
• Karina Lora, Associate Professor; Director of the Public Health Nutrition MPH Program; Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, [email protected] 
• Michael Mann, Associate Professor, Geography; Director of Graduate Studies; Department of Geography, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, [email protected] 
• Maureen McGuire-Kuletz, Associate Professor, Counseling; Department of Counseling and Human Development, The Graduate School of Education and Human Development, [email protected] 
• Melina Misri, Visiting Assistant Professor of Interior Architecture; Undergraduate Advisor, Interior Architecture Program; Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, [email protected] 
• Brad Moore, Associate Professor of Medicine; Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies; Associate Professor of Health Policy and Management; School of Medicine & Health Sciences, [email protected] 
• Mesbah Motamed, Economist and Faculty Member, Sustainable Urban Planning Program, College of Professional Studies, [email protected] 
• Melissa Napolitano, Professor, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, [email protected]
• Carmen Ortega-Santos, Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health,   [email protected] 
• Robert Orttung, Research Professor of International Affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs; Director, Sustainability Research Institute, [email protected]
• Anneliese (Lisa) Palmer, Research Professor of Science Communication, School of Media and Public Affairs, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, [email protected] 
• Adam Richards, Associate Professor, Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, [email protected]
• Jennifer Rioux, Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, [email protected] 
• Jennifer Sacheck, Sanofi Professor of Prevention and Wellness; Chair, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, [email protected] 
• Joan Schaffner, Associate Professor of Law; Faculty Co-Director, Animal Legal Education Initiative; GW Law, [email protected] 
• Ellen Scully-Russ, Associate Professor, Human and Organizational Learning, The Graduate School of Education and Human Development, [email protected] 
• Ekundayo Shittu, Professor and Department Chair, Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, [email protected] 
• Caroline Smith, Associate Professor of Writing, University Writing Program, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, [email protected] 
• Amanda Stewart, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, [email protected] 
• Michael Svoboda, Assistant Professor of Writing, University Writing Program, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, [email protected] 
• Allison Sylvetsky, Associate Professor, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, [email protected]
• Sameera Talegawkar, Professor, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Department of Epidemiology, Milken Institute School of Public Health, [email protected] 
• Karen Vahouny, Adjunct Professor, The Graduate School of Political Management, College of Professional Studies, [email protected] 
• Rob van Dam, Professor, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences and Epidemiology, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, [email protected] 
• Sherrie Wallington, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, [email protected]
• Lynn Westwater, Professor of Italian, Department Chair, Director of Italian Language and Literature, Director of Portuguese, Department of Romance, German & Slavic Studies, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, [email protected] 
• Y. Tony Yang, Associate Dean for Health Policy and Population Science, Endowed Professor in Health Policy, School of Nursing; Health Policy and Management Department, Milken Institute School of Public Health, [email protected] 
• Zhengtian Xu, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, [email protected] 

Are you a GW Faculty member interested in becoming a Global Food Institute Affiliated Faculty? Please reach out to [email protected] for more information on the application process.