First lady names Wyoming Hunger Initiative regional directors

First lady Jennie Gordon’s Wyoming Hunger Initiative named six regional directors to represent the Initiative across the state. 

Regional directors will build and connect networks of local anti-hunger organizations and create a platform for communication of innovative ideas to solve food insecurity.

Directors were chosen to represent a region based on their awareness of food insecurity or role within their community that is directly related to food insecurity, first lady Gordon said in a press release.

Elizabeth Chapell was named the northeast regional director which includes Sheridan, Campbell, Crook and Weston counties. 

Chapell works with Snap and WIC participants through the University of Wyoming Extension Centsible Nutrition program and serves as an ambassador for the Gillette Little Free Pantries system.

Ashley Bright was named the central regional director which includes Johnson, Converse, Fremont and Natrona counties. Bright has served as the director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming since 1999, and additionally serves on the first lady’s COVID-19 Task Force. 

Regional directors will work closely with the first lady and Wyoming Hunger Initiative to seek and facilitate lasting, community-based solutions to the problem of food insecurity.

Ali Milburn was named the northwest regional director which encompasses Teton County. Milburn is the founder and executive director of Hole Food Rescue, an organization dedicated to reducing food waste and cultivating food security.

Dr. Caitlin Youngquist was named the north regional director which includes Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie counties. Youngquist is the northwest area agriculture educator for the University of Wyoming Extension in Worland.

Sierra Mitchell was named the southwest regional director which includes Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater and Uinta counties. Mitchell is the founder of the Afton Food Pantry, which has grown to serve over 11,000 individuals since it opened its doors in 2016.

Heather Mortensen was named the southeast regional director which includes Albany, Carbon, Goshen, Laramie, Niobrara and Platte counties. Mortensen was formerly the Food Service director in Carbon County where she successfully implemented the Summer Meal Program.

Wyoming Hunger Initiative seeks to find and support Wyoming solutions to the challenge of food insecurity, which affects approximately 71,000 residents statewide. Launched in October 2019, Wyoming Hunger Initiative is the official initiative of Wyoming’s first lady Gordon and is governed by the board of directors of the Wyoming Governor’s Residence Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.nohungerwyo.org.