The Carter Center competitors

Julia Tedesco serves as president and CEO of Foodlink, an innovative food bank and public health organization focused on ending hunger, building community health, and fostering economic development. She’s been with Foodlink since 2009. Tedesco is a Rochester native and also represents Foodlink in various capacities with the regional anti-poverty and economic development initiatives. She served the organization as its Chief Development and Communications Officer for several years before taking on the role of co-executive director in 2014. She was named the sole executive director in 2015. In her previous roles, Tedesco built and led a Development and Community Relations Department that now raises more than $3.8 million annually for the organization. She oversaw the growth of nutrition education and food literacy programming, as well as the implementation of innovative food access programs that have gained national recognition. In addition, Tedesco has been responsible for leading strategic organizational development initiatives and directing Foodlink’s anti-hunger advocacy and public policy efforts both locally and nationally. Tedesco is a graduate of Syracuse University’s Maxwell School, where she received her Master of Public Administration degree. Tedesco was a key player in overseeing the relocation of Foodlink’s headquarters and distribution facility in 2012, as well as the relocation and expansion of Foodlink’s Community Kitchen in 2016.

Daniel Varner is a Chief Executive Officer at Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit.