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4:30 PM - 6:30 PM CST
Operation Food Search: Healing Hunger through Strategy, Collaboration and Innovation
10/26/20234:30 PM - 6:30 PM CST
Event Description
Join us for a happy hour program about food insecurity led by Kristen Wild. Kristen will provide an overview of Operation Food Search’s groundbreaking work to grow food and nutrition security in our region. Following the presentation attendees will rotate through breakout sessions featuring policy and advocacy work, child nutrition programs, “food is medicine” programs, and the St. Louis MetroMarket.
Kristen Wild
President and Chief Executive Officer
Operation Food Search
Kristen Wild is President and Chief Executive Officer of Operation Food Search, a hunger relief agency that provides food and services to 200,000 people each month in Missouri and Illinois. Kristen oversees the operations, programs and initiatives OFS sets forth in its work to heal hunger and strengthen the community. Kristen’s push for innovation and collaboration has enabled the organization to grow substantially in the last few years, as it stepped up its response to meet the increased need due to the pandemic.
Kristen represented OFS in its role on the regional response task force that was created to ensure that the needs of the community were met during the pandemic. She has created or amplified impactful partnerships, such as a collaboration with St. Louis County Library, which has enabled OFS to distribute millions of meals to children. In addition, she has ensured the longevity of the organization by spearheading endowment efforts to raise more than $7 million. She has overseen the hiring of new staff, recruitment of board members and the expansion of crucial programs to address the underlying causes of hunger.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Duke University, Kristen holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology. She joined OFS after serving as Executive Director of the Ladue Education Foundation & Alumni Association. She has extensive experience in advocacy and education environments, including Autism Speaks, Sylvan Learning Centers, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Houston Independent School District and St. Louis Public Schools.
Kristen was named a 2021 Most Influential Business Woman by the St. Louis Business Journal and a 2021 YWCA Leader of Distinction. She was recently named 2023 St. Louis Titan 100 by Titan CEO.
From Kristen: “Given my roots in teaching kids whose basic needs were not being met, I was drawn to the opportunity to meet one of the most basic needs of all: food security. For without food security, children are unable to thrive in the classroom . . . or in life.”
Melissa Weissler
Chief Program Officer
Operation Food Search
As the Chief Program Officer, Melissa develops and implements programming that includes client-facing and community-based work, food distribution, supportive services, nutrition education and Food Is Medicine programs. She oversees partnerships with school districts, health systems, funders, and community organizations to advance the OFS mission of reducing food insecurity. Melissa serves on the senior leadership team and holds a Master of Public Health degree.
Melissa started her career as an insurance underwriter but quickly realized she wanted to be in a field that more closely aligned with her personal and professional interests. She transitioned to the non-profit sector after obtaining a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion and Policy degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Missouri, Columbia as well. At OFS, she previously held the title of Director of Child and Community Nutrition.
The mother of two young girls, Melissa spends as much time as possible outdoors, going on nature walks and playing in the park. She loves cooking for family and friends and hosting people at her house.
Beverly Isom
Director of Policy and Advocacy
Operation Food Search
As the Director of Policy and Advocacy, Beverly develops and implements OFS’s policy platform aimed at addressing long-term solutions to the problem of hunger. She oversees government and community relations, grassroots advocacy, policy research, and other relevant research studies designed to decrease child hunger and family food insecurity in Missouri. She and her team utilize evidence-based best practices in accordance with Independent Review Board protocols to ensure the Policy and Advocacy department delivers on its goals.
Isom is a communications professional with decades of experience as a leader in both corporate and government communications. Prior to joining OFS, she was a managing supervisor at Fleishman-Hillard and worked on digital transformation teams at Nestle Purina and Monsanto. She has also served as a communications professional for the City of Atlanta, Georgia, the Greater Atlanta United Way, FEMA and the CDC in Atlanta. Beverly served as communications director for the 2012 re-election campaign of civil rights pioneer John Lewis to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Beverly studied Journalism at the University of Missouri. She is a commissioner for the Regional Arts Commission and a Neighborhood Leadership Fellow. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., served as a City of St. Louis 27th Ward Voter Empowerment Chair, and was involved with Ashrei Foundation North City Photo ID Project aimed at helping unhoused and others attain photo IDs and voter registration.
Beverly is likely the first competitive sabre fencer at OFS and is an avid roller skater; however, she does not do them at the same time. She is the oldest and only girl in a family of four – which resulted in being outbid on what everyone watched on television growing up often acquiescing to Speed Racer and NCAA Men’s Basketball.
Quinton Ward
Senior Manager of MetroMarket
Quinton oversees MetroMarket, a donated city bus that has been transformed into a grocery store on wheels restoring access to healthy, affordable food to St. Louis City and County. His focus is on working with members and organizations to bridge physical, financial, and educational barriers in neighborhoods with limited food access through programming, including the mobile market and produce delivery.
Quinton earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts with an Emphasis in Graphic Design from Webster University. Outside of MetroMarket, you can find him co-hosting the podcast “Speak Up St. Louis.” Additionally, Quinton enjoys working out, catching St. Louis Symphony performances and checking out local art galleries and museums.
Rachel Neukirch
Senior Program Director
As Senior Program Director, Rachel is responsible for aligning the nutrition, food operations, and social work aspects of the Food Is Medicine programs. She evaluates current programs for effectiveness and determines the feasibility and sustainability of future programs. She comes to OFS with 25 years of social work experience, previously working with families created through birth, adoptions, kinship, and foster care.
Rachel earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from St. Louis University and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2005. She has served on the Board for the Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, volunteered with Our Little Haven, and worked on the domestic violence helpline for Legal Advocates for Domestic Violence. Additionally, Rachel has volunteered with multiple organizations that help first responders and their families.
An avid gardener, Rachel cares for “tons of plants,” often growing vegetables and herbs. In addition, she and her husband of 30 years enjoy home improvement and landscaping projects. Rachel has two sons finishing their degrees and is close with her two dogs – Cooper and Hank.
Kristen Wild Operation Food Search
Kristen Wild is President and Chief Executive Officer of Operation Food Search, a hunger relief agency that provides food and services to 200,000 people each month in Missouri and Illinois. Kristen oversees the operations, programs and initiatives OFS sets forth in its work to heal hunger and strengthen the community. Kristen’s push for innovation and collaboration has enabled the organization to grow substantially in the last few years, as it stepped up its response to meet the increased need due to the pandemic.
Kristen represented OFS in its role on the regional response task force that was created to ensure that the needs of the community were met during the pandemic. She has created or amplified impactful partnerships, such as a collaboration with St. Louis County Library, which has enabled OFS to distribute millions of meals to children. In addition, she has ensured the longevity of the organization by spearheading endowment efforts to raise more than $7 million. She has overseen the hiring of new staff, recruitment of board members and the expansion of crucial programs to address the underlying causes of hunger.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Duke University, Kristen holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology. She joined OFS after serving as Executive Director of the Ladue Education Foundation & Alumni Association. She has extensive experience in advocacy and education environments, including Autism Speaks, Sylvan Learning Centers, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Houston Independent School District and St. Louis Public Schools.
Kristen was named a 2021 Most Influential Business Woman by the St. Louis Business Journal and a 2021 YWCA Leader of Distinction. She was recently named 2023 St. Louis Titan 100 by Titan CEO.
From Kristen: “Given my roots in teaching kids whose basic needs were not being met, I was drawn to the opportunity to meet one of the most basic needs of all: food security. For without food security, children are unable to thrive in the classroom . . . or in life.”
Melissa WeisslerChief Program Officer
Operation Food Search
As the Chief Program Officer, Melissa develops and implements programming that includes client-facing and community-based work, food distribution, supportive services, nutrition education and Food Is Medicine programs. She oversees partnerships with school districts, health systems, funders, and community organizations to advance the OFS mission of reducing food insecurity. Melissa serves on the senior leadership team and holds a Master of Public Health degree.
Melissa started her career as an insurance underwriter but quickly realized she wanted to be in a field that more closely aligned with her personal and professional interests. She transitioned to the non-profit sector after obtaining a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion and Policy degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Missouri, Columbia as well. At OFS, she previously held the title of Director of Child and Community Nutrition.
The mother of two young girls, Melissa spends as much time as possible outdoors, going on nature walks and playing in the park. She loves cooking for family and friends and hosting people at her house.
Beverly IsomDirector of Policy and Advocacy
Operation Food Search
As the Director of Policy and Advocacy, Beverly develops and implements OFS’s policy platform aimed at addressing long-term solutions to the problem of hunger. She oversees government and community relations, grassroots advocacy, policy research, and other relevant research studies designed to decrease child hunger and family food insecurity in Missouri. She and her team utilize evidence-based best practices in accordance with Independent Review Board protocols to ensure the Policy and Advocacy department delivers on its goals.
Isom is a communications professional with decades of experience as a leader in both corporate and government communications. Prior to joining OFS, she was a managing supervisor at Fleishman-Hillard and worked on digital transformation teams at Nestle Purina and Monsanto. She has also served as a communications professional for the City of Atlanta, Georgia, the Greater Atlanta United Way, FEMA and the CDC in Atlanta. Beverly served as communications director for the 2012 re-election campaign of civil rights pioneer John Lewis to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Beverly studied Journalism at the University of Missouri. She is a commissioner for the Regional Arts Commission and a Neighborhood Leadership Fellow. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., served as a City of St. Louis 27th Ward Voter Empowerment Chair, and was involved with Ashrei Foundation North City Photo ID Project aimed at helping unhoused and others attain photo IDs and voter registration.
Beverly is likely the first competitive sabre fencer at OFS and is an avid roller skater; however, she does not do them at the same time. She is the oldest and only girl in a family of four – which resulted in being outbid on what everyone watched on television growing up often acquiescing to Speed Racer and NCAA Men’s Basketball.
Quinton WardSenior Manager of MetroMarket
Quinton oversees MetroMarket, a donated city bus that has been transformed into a grocery store on wheels restoring access to healthy, affordable food to St. Louis City and County. His focus is on working with members and organizations to bridge physical, financial, and educational barriers in neighborhoods with limited food access through programming, including the mobile market and produce delivery.
Quinton earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts with an Emphasis in Graphic Design from Webster University. Outside of MetroMarket, you can find him co-hosting the podcast “Speak Up St. Louis.” Additionally, Quinton enjoys working out, catching St. Louis Symphony performances and checking out local art galleries and museums.
Rachel NeukirchSenior Program Director
As Senior Program Director, Rachel is responsible for aligning the nutrition, food operations, and social work aspects of the Food Is Medicine programs. She evaluates current programs for effectiveness and determines the feasibility and sustainability of future programs. She comes to OFS with 25 years of social work experience, previously working with families created through birth, adoptions, kinship, and foster care.
Rachel earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from St. Louis University and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2005. She has served on the Board for the Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, volunteered with Our Little Haven, and worked on the domestic violence helpline for Legal Advocates for Domestic Violence. Additionally, Rachel has volunteered with multiple organizations that help first responders and their families.
An avid gardener, Rachel cares for “tons of plants,” often growing vegetables and herbs. In addition, she and her husband of 30 years enjoy home improvement and landscaping projects. Rachel has two sons finishing their degrees and is close with her two dogs – Cooper and Hank.