Executive Leadership
"Taking action to end global hunger begins in our own hearts and neighborhoods."
- Rick Kearney,
Rick Kearney
Chief Executive Officer
Rick joined Rise Against Hunger in 2007, applying his diverse skills and experiences in banking, teaching, ministry and missions to various roles with the organization. Beginning as a Community Engagement Manager in Eastern North Carolina, Rick launched Rise Against Hunger’s second meal packaging location and subsequently worked in logistics, distribution, operations and community engagement.
Rick leads the organization as CEO. Rick strongly believes that passion may draw a person to Rise Against Hunger, but purpose and fulfillment will sustain them. Rick holds a B.S. in Business Administration from UNC Chapel Hill.
Travis Huckaba
Chief Financial Officer
Travis joined Rise Against Hunger in 2013 and is a committed ally in the fight against food insecurity. He has worked to maximize the organization’s resources and build a financial foundation for operational success. Travis brings people, financial processes and resources together to achieve the organization’s mission.
Travis holds culinary and management degrees from Johnson and Wales University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. He’s a longtime member of the Raleigh chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants, and is credentialed as a Certified Management Accountant and Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis.
"Helping those in need is a big job. It requires contribution from everyone, even accountants."
- Travis Huckaba,
"If you want to go fast, go alone. To go far, let’s go together."
- Edna Ogwangi,
Edna Ogwangi
Chief Programs Officer
Edna leads Rise Against Hunger’s development around strategic efforts in advancing food security, humanitarian relief response and resilience pathways. She spearheads initiatives for measuring effectiveness, impact and sustainability of all Rise Against Hunger programs globally.
A native of Kenya, Edna has worked in international development for 25+ years in the areas of economic development, food and nutrition security and non-profit management. Edna has contributed to U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Bill and Melinda Gates programs in more than 100 countries. Edna holds a Bachelors in Agricultural Economics and a Masters in International Development and Administration from Andrews University.
Amy Lewis
Chief People Officer
Amy is a results-oriented business professional with 20+ years of experience in human resources management, business operations and nonprofit leadership. During her career, Amy has built a solid infrastructure of systems, processes and programs for organizations where HR was broken or nonexistent. She has served as a strategic business partner using creative synergies to successfully lead and influence teams to achieve results.
A strategic thinker with strong problem solving and project management skills, Amy has developed and enhanced HR programs and services. Her extensive financial management experience, full-cycle talent management, benefit plan design, compensation plan management and technology system knowledge makes her an important contributor to our success.
"Taking great care of our people is a powerful first step toward serving others."
- Amy Lewis,
"Social justice doesn't exist for any of us if every person on the planet doesn't have it."
- Troy Robinson,
Troy Robinson
Chief Development Officer
Troy oversees the organization’s development strategy, manages the annual fundraising portfolio and engages individual, foundation and corporate supporters.
With 25+ years of senior-level experience in development within the non-profit sector, Troy has a background in building business strategies and leading innovative initiatives to establish profitable fundraising campaigns. He has extensive experience in donor relations, major gifts, fundraising and strategic planning. Troy previously served as Chief Development Officer for the organization Camp Fire and in fundraising roles for Habitat for Humanity, United Way, Holy Family Foundation, Youth Villages Inc. and Playworks Inc. Troy holds a B.A. in Rhetoric and Communications from Kent State University.
Jolynn Berk
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
Jolynn leads marketing, communications and brand strategy to further our mission. She focuses on building our global brand proposition and driving revenue through collaboration and support of our meal packaging business, fundraising and awareness initiatives.
Jolynn has 30 years of marketing, advertising, brand, development and communications experience across corporate, nonprofit and agency sectors. She has a proven track record in building and leading teams to integrated solutions and consistently improved performance. She has led strategic campaigns, including total rebrand and product launches, for Fortune 500 corporations and the largest privately held U.S. company. Jolynn holds both a B.S. in Management and MBA from Friends University.
"My passion is leveraging our brand to help children reach their own life potential."
- Jolynn Berk,
Board of Directors
Greg Belt
Board Chair
Founder & CEO, EverGrain
Amanda Young
Board Vice Chair
Vice President Quality, Product Development & Consumer Engagement, Sazerac
Swati Patel
Board Treasurer
Managing Director, Ernst & Young Advisory Services
Jonathan Ireland
Board Member
Senior Vice President of Finance, United Airlines
Jojo de Noronha
Board Member
President, Kraft Heinz Northern Europe
David Welch, Ph.D.
Board Member
Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Funder, Synthesis Capital
Gloria Ann Evans, RN, FNP, MS, DrPH
Board Member
Full-time volunteer
Jay Patel
Board Member
Consultant, Advisor & Consultant to Hospitality Industry
Stephanie Martin, Ph.D.
Board Member
Assistant Professor, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Ratna Mukherjea, Ph.D.
Board Member
Senior Director, Food Innovation, Technology Leadership Team, Benson Hill
Ralph Jerome
Board Member
Venture Partner, The March Fund
John Pacheco
Board Member
President, Pacheco Global Partners, LLC
