Reflections from Our CEO: Speaking at the Grocery Retail for All Summit Hosted by the Global Food Institute at George Washington University

From our CEO on his experience speaking at the Global Food Institute at George Washington University – Grocery Retail for All Summit.

“I recently had the incredible honor of speaking at the Grocery Retail for All Summit, hosted by the Global Food Institute at George Washington University, about the transformative work being done at Bargain Grocery and Compassion Coalition. Sharing our story of disrupting the food insecurity space—one focused on providing accessible, affordable food while building stronger communities—was a truly rewarding experience.

What truly stood out, however, was the opportunity to engage with some of the most visionary thinkers and leaders tackling food insecurity and systemic challenges globally. I’m particularly grateful for the connections I made with these remarkable individuals:

• Ambassador Ertharin Cousin – CEO and Managing Director of Food Systems for the Future and former Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme, she has dedicated her career to global food equity and innovative solutions to hunger.
• Stacy Dean – A leader at the Global Food Institute at George Washington University, she focuses on advancing policy solutions to address food insecurity and promote equitable access to nutrition.
• Stephanie Johnson – As VP of Government Relations at the National Grocers Association, she advocates for policies supporting independent grocery retailers and a more resilient food system.
• Steve Brophy – VP of Government Affairs at Dollar General, he leads efforts to shape public policy and strengthen community engagement for one of the largest retail chains in the U.S.
• Kevin Kelley, AIA – Principal of Shook Kelley and pioneer of perception design, he redefines how physical environments shape consumer behavior and brand experiences.
• C.D. Glin – President of the PepsiCo Foundation and Global Head of Social Impact for PepsiCo, with deep ties to upstate NY as he was born in Rome, NY; he leads efforts in equitable food access, water, and economic opportunity.
• Emily Broad Leib – Clinical Professor of Law and Founding Director of the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic, she develops innovative legal and policy solutions for a fairer, more sustainable food system.

And many more.

This experience was our reminder that partnership and collaboration from diverse perspectives can come together to solve critical issues. That is how we started Compassion Coalition—by bringing diverse people together. I’m excited to see how this will take us to the next level.”