July 23 marks the one-year anniversary of Stacy Dean’s tenure as the inaugural Carbonell Family Executive Director of the Global Food Institute (GFI) at the George Washington University.
Dean has championed GFI’s mission to change the world through the power of food, amplifying strategic initiatives and fostering new opportunities, programs and partnerships. In her first year, Dean helped establish GFI as a hub for national dialogue on critical food policy issues and systems transformation through convenings, where leaders from national, global and community organizations met with academics, foundations, businesses and policy makers for vibrant discussions about food policy issues. These include the Grocery Retail for All Summit, in partnership with Food Systems for the Future in December 2024 and joining Partnership for Healthier America to host the Good Food for All Summit in June 2025.
Dean’s first year has established a foundation for GFI’s next chapter—one focused on strengthening the educational experience for GW students, driving impact through practice-informed research and shaping policy through evidence and expertise.