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 and has continued to step into new leadership and expanded role opportunities since then, applying his diverse skills and experiences in banking, teaching, ministry and missions. 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, as well as serving on our Executive Team.
Rick now leads our mission as CEO, and strongly believes that while passion and purpose may first draw a person to Rise Against Hunger, purpose and fulfillment will sustain them. He 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.
Mickey Horner
Chief Operating Officer
Mickey Horner joined Rise Against Hunger in 2008 to lead community engagement growth in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has since served in many significant business development roles during his tenure. His extensive experience includes global supply chain and operations models, new volunteer and donor programs, pipeline management and forecasting, and revenue growth strategies. He has over 30 years of management experience — including 20 years in nonprofit, and a desire to leverage his expertise to impact global hunger.
Mickey earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro; MBA from Wake Forest University; and holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University.
"Together, we can grow the movement to end hunger."
- Mickey Horner,
"My passion is leveraging our brand to help children reach their own life potential."
- Jolynn Berk,
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.
Board of Directors
Amanda Young
Chair
Vice President Quality, Product Development & Consumer Engagement, Sazerac
Ratna Mukherjea, Ph.D.
Vice Chair
Founder and Principal, Joy Nutrition Solutions LLC
Jonathan Ireland
Treasurer
Senior Vice President of Finance, United Airlines
Reena Joshi
Secretary
President at Marketspace Solutions Inc
Greg Belt
Immediate Past Chair
CEO, InnovoPro
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
Public & International Health Professional
Jay Patel, CPA, CHA
Board Member
Consultant, Abacus Resources
Stephanie Martin, Ph.D.
Board Member
Assistant Professor, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Ralph Jerome
Board Member
Venture Partner, The March Fund
Bryan Stillwagon
Board Member
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Unifi Aviation
Cornel Nolte
Board Member
Consulting Operations Leader, PricewaterhouseCoopers
