Heidi Kessler, Chief Program Officer, is a passionate school food advocate who believes that school meals are essential in raising a healthier generation of children. Heidi provides visionary leadership and strategic management for the development, implementation, and evaluation of all Chef Ann Foundation programming. As a well-known trainer, speaker, and expert in environmental, policy, and systems changes that support healthy eating, Heidi has created innovative models and tools for school nutrition reform that are used across the country. She has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, and NPR, and sat on expert panels for childhood obesity prevention and school food reform. Prior to joining CAF, Heidi was the Executive Director of the Smarter Lunchrooms National Office at Cornell University, and a senior leader of the nationally recognized childhood obesity prevention program, Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0, based at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, Maine. Heidi has a Master of Science in Nutrition from Northeastern University and is a nationally certified School Nutrition Specialist.
Favorite school lunch: Zucchini Boats!
Favorite ways to stay healthy: I am a gardener, cook, and aspiring herbalist. I also incorporate yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda into my daily life to channel my energy into making the world a better place.