Food Insecurity, Urban Agriculture & How To Empower Community Led Solutions | feat. Whitney Strauss

Lisa Gardner, is joined by Whitney Strauss, the Executive Director of AdvoCare Foundation and Senior Counsel at Sunwest Communications. Whitney discusses the evolution of diversity and inclusion, as well as the benefits of urban agriculture.  

Whitney also highlights her doctoral research on the impact of urban farms in addressing food insecurity across the United States. She shares stories of transformative community projects in Detroit, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, where local leaders have created resilient food systems and fostered community collaboration. Whitney also chats about the challenges and successes of these initiatives, emphasizing the importance of local solutions and the need for accessible funding in the philanthropic sector. 

Also in this episode: 

• Whitney's career highlights include transformative roles at March of Dimes and Lockheed Martin, and she currently serves on the boards of the Dallas Holocaust Museum and Human Rights Museum. 
• True inclusivity means all voices are heard and solutions are multidisciplinary. 
• The argument against the notion of reverse racism, advocating for diversity and inclusion as beneficial for everyone. 
• The impact of urban agriculture, including successful community-led initiatives in cities like Detroit, LA, and Philadelphia. 
• The importance of local solutions and community control in addressing food access and other social issues. 
• Reduce barriers to accessing capital and support grassroots organizations for lasting change. 
•  Instilling values like curiosity, empathy, and integrity in the next generation to foster a life of uncompromised commitment to social impact. 

  
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About Whitney Strauss 
Whiteny is the Executive Director of the AdvoCare Foundation, a $5M private foundation focused on ending childhood obesity and promoting healthy lifestyles through nutrition education, healthy food access, and physical education across 10 states. Since 2017, she’s led the foundation's vision, mission, operations, grantmaking, fundraising, partnerships, and advocacy. Additionally, Whitney is a Senior Counsel at Sunwest Communications, specializing in civic projects, corporate social responsibility, and nonprofit organizations. As an International Sustainable Business Advisor, she aligns clients' practices with ESG standards. She is also pursuing a Doctorate at SMU, studying urban farms' impact, and authored the award-winning "My Sweet Child" children's book series. 
 
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About Lisa Gardner 
Lisa Gardner is a corporate real estate thought leader and co-founder of OMS Strategic Advisors, LLC, focusing on real estate, strategy, and workforce development. With over 25 years of experience, she drives profitability by optimizing human capital, leading diversity initiatives, and crafting corporate strategies. She has managed national accounts for Fortune 500 companies like Wal-Mart and AT&T, and revitalized multicultural marketing for JCPenney. Lisa serves on the Executive Board of SMU's Cox School of Business and contributes to DCEO Magazine. She is active in her community at Gateway Church and lives in Plano, Texas, with her husband and two children.