English
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VietnameseBeverley Wheeler, Director
bwheeler@dchunger.org
Melissa Jensen, Anti-Hunger Program & Policy Analyst, SNAP & Special Populations
mjensen@dchunger.org
Paige Pokorney, Anti-Hunger Program & Policy Analyst, Child Nutrition
ppokorney@dchunger.org
Raynice Day, Anti-Hunger Associate
rday@dchunger.org
Martha Assefa, Anti-Hunger Associate
massefa@dchunger.org
Beverley Wheeler
Beverley joined the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) in 2015 as the director of D.C. Hunger Solutions (DCHS). In this role, she is responsible for leading the efforts to improve public policies to end hunger, reduce poverty, promote nutrition, and increase the availability of healthy, affordable food in low-income areas; maximize participation in all federal nutrition programs (SNAP, school meals, early childhood nutrition, WIC, and summer meals); and educate the public about both the stark reality of hunger’s existence in the nation’s capital and the real opportunities for effective solutions.
Dr. Wheeler has over 30 years of progressive experience in all phases of public and private sector policy development working in process development, crisis resolution, civic engagement, community/economic development, and planning as well as policy development and implementation. She has 20 years of experience working with the District of Columbia (DC) government and the DC Council at the executive level as Executive Director of the State Board of Education and Neighborhood Action; Chief of Staff to Phil Mendelson; and Special Assistant to three City Administrators. She is the former president and CEO of Center City Public Charter Schools.
She holds a B.S. in social and decision science, an M.S. in management and public policy from Carnegie Mellon University, and a master’s and Doctorate in Education from Harvard University.
Melissa Jensen
Melissa joined DCHS in August 2018 as the Anti-Hunger Program & Policy Analyst – SNAP & special populations. In this role, she works to increase participation in the SNAP in the District of Columbia, and on nutrition issues related to hunger among older residents. She also engages and educates the public and policymakers about the issue of hunger and works to identify solutions to end hunger in our nation’s capital.
Before joining FRAC, Melissa worked at Utahns Against Hunger in Salt Lake City, Utah as the outreach manager. There, she managed the statewide SNAP Outreach Program with the Utah Department of Workforce Services. She also provided information about federal nutrition programs to the community, assisted community members with SNAP applications, and produced outreach materials, including the UAH newsletter. Melissa also piloted a series of Food Access Workshops with Salt Lake Community College to help combat food insecurity on Utah campuses.
Melissa received a Juris Doctor from William and Mary Law School and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin.
Paige Pokorney
Paige joined DCHS in September 2018 as Anti-Hunger Program & Policy Analyst for child nutrition. In this role, she uses engagement, advocacy, and education to inform the public on childhood hunger and increase access to child nutrition programs in the District. Paige analyzes policies and practices, leverages data and reporting, and provides technical assistance to maximize participation in child nutrition programs.
Before joining DCHS, Paige worked on anti-hunger and food access issues with various local and national organizations, including the Capital Area Food Bank, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Share Our Strength. Paige received her B.S. in Biobehavioral Health from Penn State and her Master of Public Health with a focus on nutrition from George Washington University.
Raynice Day
Raynice joined DCHS in October 2020 as an Anti-Hunger Associate. She currently attends Southern New Hampshire University in New Hampshire where she is studying to receive her MBA with a concentration in Public Administration. Raynice previously worked as a Community Engagement Specialist at the Office of Planning, Cities of Service in Washington, D.C.
Martha Assefa
Martha joined DCHS in January 2021 as an Anti-Hunger Associate. Martha is passionate about working toward a vision of local, culturally appropriate, accessible food for our community.