Chief Government Relations Officer
Vince Hall serves as Chief Government Relations Officer at Feeding America. In this capacity, Vince leads the development and execution of strategies to organize and leverage key influencers and allies in support of Feeding America’s thought leadership and anti-hunger agenda. He is responsible for the advancement of an overarching strategy to catalyze a movement to end hunger. Vince has extensive nonprofit and public sector management experience. Prior to his current role, he served as the CEO of Feeding San Diego. Earlier roles included Chief of Staff (Office of the Mayor, San Diego), VP, Public Affairs & Communication (Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest), and Staff Director (Office of Governor Gray Davis). Vince received a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from San Diego State University and a law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
Vince Hall serves as Chief Government Relations Officer at Feeding America. In this capacity, Vince leads the development and execution of strategies to organize and leverage key influencers and allies in support of Feeding America’s thought leadership and anti-hunger agenda. He is responsible for the advancement of an overarching strategy to catalyze a movement to end hunger. Vince has extensive nonprofit and public sector management experience. Prior to his current role, he served as the CEO of Feeding San Diego. Earlier roles included Chief of Staff (Office of the Mayor, San Diego), VP, Public Affairs & Communication (Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest), and Staff Director (Office of Governor Gray Davis). Vince received a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from San Diego State University and a law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
Vice President, Agriculture and Nutrition Government Relations
Carrie Calvert is the Vice President of Agriculture and Nutrition Government Relations for Feeding America, the nation’s largest anti-hunger organization. Carrie leads Feeding America's legislative strategy on federal nutrition programs, including the Farm Bill, Child Nutrition Reauthorization, and food and agricultural issues. Carrie has worked on nutrition, food waste, and agricultural policy for over twenty years and helped to enact federal legislation to increase resources and food access for millions of people. Before her work at Feeding America, Carrie worked for Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld in their Public Law and Policy Section on food, tax, and transportation issues. She is a graduate of The George Washington University with a B.A. in Political Science and English. Carrie resides with her family in Northern Virginia.
Carrie Calvert is the Vice President of Agriculture and Nutrition Government Relations for Feeding America, the nation’s largest anti-hunger organization. Carrie leads Feeding America's legislative strategy on federal nutrition programs, including the Farm Bill, Child Nutrition Reauthorization, and food and agricultural issues. Carrie has worked on nutrition, food waste, and agricultural policy for over twenty years and helped to enact federal legislation to increase resources and food access for millions of people. Before her work at Feeding America, Carrie worked for Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld in their Public Law and Policy Section on food, tax, and transportation issues. She is a graduate of The George Washington University with a B.A. in Political Science and English. Carrie resides with her family in Northern Virginia.
Director, Congressional Relations
Monica Gonzales is the Director of Congressional Relations, leading Feeding America's congressional relations strategy. In her role, Monica focuses on expanding the organization's reach with Congress and the Executive Branch while increasing the depth and breadth of congressional support for federal nutrition programs. Prior to joining Feeding America, Monica served as the Director of Federal Government Relations for Share Our Strength, leading the organization's pursuit of policy solutions to expand access to federal nutrition and anti-poverty programs. Throughout her career, she has effectively advanced social missions achieving measurable results and social impact. Monica is adept at managing complex policy issues and forging strategic alliances; she has spearheaded national initiatives and coalitions to implement national programs and achieve policy change, directed and managed multi-million-dollar programs, and has served as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and executives.
Monica currently serves on multiple non-profit boards including as Chair of the Domestic Policy Committee on the Board for the Alliance to End Hunger. Originally from Santa Fe Springs, CA, Monica graduated from Pepperdine University with a BA in Political Science.
Monica Gonzales is the Director of Congressional Relations, leading Feeding America's congressional relations strategy. In her role, Monica focuses on expanding the organization's reach with Congress and the Executive Branch while increasing the depth and breadth of congressional support for federal nutrition programs. Prior to joining Feeding America, Monica served as the Director of Federal Government Relations for Share Our Strength, leading the organization's pursuit of policy solutions to expand access to federal nutrition and anti-poverty programs. Throughout her career, she has effectively advanced social missions achieving measurable results and social impact. Monica is adept at managing complex policy issues and forging strategic alliances; she has spearheaded national initiatives and coalitions to implement national programs and achieve policy change, directed and managed multi-million-dollar programs, and has served as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and executives.
Monica currently serves on multiple non-profit boards including as Chair of the Domestic Policy Committee on the Board for the Alliance to End Hunger. Originally from Santa Fe Springs, CA, Monica graduated from Pepperdine University with a BA in Political Science.
Manager, Legislative Affairs
Jonathan Iwaskiw joined Feeding America in 2022 as Manager of Legislative Affairs. In this position, Jonathan advances Feeding America’s legislative priorities in Congress to strengthen federal nutrition programs like SNAP, TEFAP, child nutrition programs, and CSFP. Jonathan is passionate about garnering bipartisan and cross-industry support for increased public investment in federal anti-hunger programs. Prior to working at Feeding America, Jonathan served four years as a legislative staffer for Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) where he focused on food and agriculture issues. Jonathan is a native of Ellicott City, Maryland and a lifelong Baltimore sports fan. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 2016, obtaining a B.A. in Foreign Affairs.
Jonathan Iwaskiw joined Feeding America in 2022 as Manager of Legislative Affairs. In this position, Jonathan advances Feeding America’s legislative priorities in Congress to strengthen federal nutrition programs like SNAP, TEFAP, child nutrition programs, and CSFP. Jonathan is passionate about garnering bipartisan and cross-industry support for increased public investment in federal anti-hunger programs. Prior to working at Feeding America, Jonathan served four years as a legislative staffer for Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) where he focused on food and agriculture issues. Jonathan is a native of Ellicott City, Maryland and a lifelong Baltimore sports fan. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 2016, obtaining a B.A. in Foreign Affairs.
Vice President, Policy
Robert Campbell serves as Vice President of Policy at Feeding America. Robert is responsible for overall public policy development and strategy for federal nutrition programs including SNAP, Child Nutrition programs, and other issues important to Feeding America’s food banks and the millions of individuals and families facing food insecurity. Robert has more than 18 years of experience in addressing hunger and poverty. Prior to joining Feeding America in 2014, Robert spent time at the Government Accountability Office, the Western Regional Office of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, in the Feeding America network at the Food Bank of Central New York, and at the Food Research & Action Center in D.C. as a 9th Class Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow. Robert has a Masters in Public Policy from the University of California at Berkeley and a bachelor's degree from Rhodes College.
Robert Campbell serves as Vice President of Policy at Feeding America. Robert is responsible for overall public policy development and strategy for federal nutrition programs including SNAP, Child Nutrition programs, and other issues important to Feeding America’s food banks and the millions of individuals and families facing food insecurity. Robert has more than 18 years of experience in addressing hunger and poverty. Prior to joining Feeding America in 2014, Robert spent time at the Government Accountability Office, the Western Regional Office of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, in the Feeding America network at the Food Bank of Central New York, and at the Food Research & Action Center in D.C. as a 9th Class Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow. Robert has a Masters in Public Policy from the University of California at Berkeley and a bachelor's degree from Rhodes College.
Director, Policy
Kelly Quintero (she/ella) is a first-generation American, born to Colombian immigrants. She serves as the Policy Director on the Government Relations team. She oversees state policy engagement and provides insight into network capacity. Prior to Feeding America, she served as the Director of Advocacy & Government Relation for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
Kelly received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Central Florida and a Public Policy Analysis Certificate from the London School of Economics & Political Science. She is a recipient of the Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award in 2018, was recently awarded the 2021 University of Central Florida’s 30 Under 30, and was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Florida Politics.
She is based in Washington, D.C., alongside her husband and two cats.
Kelly Quintero (she/ella) is a first-generation American, born to Colombian immigrants. She serves as the Policy Director on the Government Relations team. She oversees state policy engagement and provides insight into network capacity. Prior to Feeding America, she served as the Director of Advocacy & Government Relation for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
Kelly received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Central Florida and a Public Policy Analysis Certificate from the London School of Economics & Political Science. She is a recipient of the Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award in 2018, was recently awarded the 2021 University of Central Florida’s 30 Under 30, and was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Florida Politics.
She is based in Washington, D.C., alongside her husband and two cats.
Sr. Manager, Policy
Stephanie Di Pego is a Senior Manager on the Policy team at Feeding America. She has been with Feeding America since December 2017, working for the first four years focused on national programming and pilots then transitioning over to the Policy team in 2021. Prior to Feeding America, she worked in national refugee resettlement at World Relief and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Stephanie started her nonprofit career at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma right out of college and gained critical on-the-ground experience around food security program design and implementation.
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and a Master of Arts in Global Affairs.
Stephanie Di Pego is a Senior Manager on the Policy team at Feeding America. She has been with Feeding America since December 2017, working for the first four years focused on national programming and pilots then transitioning over to the Policy team in 2021. Prior to Feeding America, she worked in national refugee resettlement at World Relief and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Stephanie started her nonprofit career at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma right out of college and gained critical on-the-ground experience around food security program design and implementation.
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and a Master of Arts in Global Affairs.
Manager, Policy
Corey Malone-Smolla (she/hers) joined Feeding America in March 2018 as a 24th Class Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow before joining the Government Relations Team full-time as a Policy Specialist. Corey provides policy and data analysis of federal nutrition programs and leads the team's work on data visualizations. Prior to Feeding America, Corey was a fellow at the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Corey graduated from Yale University in 2016 with a B.A. in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies. This Fall 2021, Corey will begin a part-time evening program for law school.
Corey Malone-Smolla (she/hers) joined Feeding America in March 2018 as a 24th Class Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow before joining the Government Relations Team full-time as a Policy Specialist. Corey provides policy and data analysis of federal nutrition programs and leads the team's work on data visualizations. Prior to Feeding America, Corey was a fellow at the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Corey graduated from Yale University in 2016 with a B.A. in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies. This Fall 2021, Corey will begin a part-time evening program for law school.
Specialist, Policy
Fleurian Filkins (they/them) joined Feeding America in February 2022 as a Bill Emerson Hunger Fellow from the 28th class. In August 2022, they joined the Government Relations team full-time as a Policy Specialist. Fleurian has a background in social science research, data analysis, and grassroots policy advocacy. In 2021, they graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a B.A. in Psychology. Prior to joining Feeding America, Fleurian was a fellow at the DC Office of Planning’s Food Policy Division, where they conducted qualitative research on the causes and potential solutions to senior food insecurity in DC. Currently, they support Feeding America’s policy priorities through data dissemination, analyses, and visualizations.
Fleurian Filkins (they/them) joined Feeding America in February 2022 as a Bill Emerson Hunger Fellow from the 28th class. In August 2022, they joined the Government Relations team full-time as a Policy Specialist. Fleurian has a background in social science research, data analysis, and grassroots policy advocacy. In 2021, they graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a B.A. in Psychology. Prior to joining Feeding America, Fleurian was a fellow at the DC Office of Planning’s Food Policy Division, where they conducted qualitative research on the causes and potential solutions to senior food insecurity in DC. Currently, they support Feeding America’s policy priorities through data dissemination, analyses, and visualizations.
Director, Network Advocacy Engagement
Jeff Kleen (he/him) supports the Government Relations Legislative Team and acts as a liaison with the 20 Feeding America Partner State Associations. Before joining Feeding America, Jeff spent 15 years in the network advocating for federal nutrition programs, tax policy, food systems, and housing and homelessness programs — alongside policy and programs that confront systemic injustices that impact poverty, hunger, homelessness, and social isolation. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in English.
Jeff Kleen (he/him) supports the Government Relations Legislative Team and acts as a liaison with the 20 Feeding America Partner State Associations. Before joining Feeding America, Jeff spent 15 years in the network advocating for federal nutrition programs, tax policy, food systems, and housing and homelessness programs — alongside policy and programs that confront systemic injustices that impact poverty, hunger, homelessness, and social isolation. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in English.
Managing Director, Tax, Public Policy & Government Relations
Geoff Plague, prior to joining Feeding America, was Vice President of Public Policy at Independent Sector and Policy and Advocacy Director at the Basic Education Coalition, where he led efforts to provide children in developing countries access to a quality education.
He previously held senior positions with members of the House and Senate during nearly 15 years of service in the United States Congress, and the New York Times called him “a well-respected Capitol Hill veteran.”
Geoff received an MA in International Affairs from American University and a BA in Political Science from the University of Kansas. He has taught courses on the U.S. Congress at Georgetown University and St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
He is also the founder and president of Buildings & Books, a public charity that has established 10 children's libraries in Kenya.
Geoff Plague, prior to joining Feeding America, was Vice President of Public Policy at Independent Sector and Policy and Advocacy Director at the Basic Education Coalition, where he led efforts to provide children in developing countries access to a quality education.
He previously held senior positions with members of the House and Senate during nearly 15 years of service in the United States Congress, and the New York Times called him “a well-respected Capitol Hill veteran.”
Geoff received an MA in International Affairs from American University and a BA in Political Science from the University of Kansas. He has taught courses on the U.S. Congress at Georgetown University and St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
He is also the founder and president of Buildings & Books, a public charity that has established 10 children's libraries in Kenya.
