Barbie Izquierdo
About Barbie Izquierdo
Barbie Izquierdo is the Director of Advocacy for Neighbors Engagement at Feeding America, where she focuses on social justice issues such as food insecurity and poverty. With a background in community empowerment and a personal history of food insecurity, she leverages her experiences to advocate for policy changes that benefit low-income communities.
Current Role at Feeding America
Barbie Izquierdo serves as the Director of Advocacy - Neighbors Engagement at Feeding America, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she focuses on advocating for policies that address food insecurity and enhance community engagement. Her work aims to empower individuals and families affected by hunger, leveraging her extensive background in community advocacy.
Previous Experience in Advocacy and Community Engagement
Before joining Feeding America, Barbie Izquierdo held several significant roles in the field of community engagement and advocacy. She worked as a Community Empowerment Manager at Hunger Free America from 2020 to 2022, where she developed programs to support food-insecure communities. Prior to that, she was a Project Coordinator at The Food Trust for 11 months in 2019, and served as a Team Leader at Community Behavioral Health from 2016 to 2019.
Educational Background and Qualifications
Barbie Izquierdo has a solid educational foundation in criminal justice and criminology. She earned an Associate's degree in Criminal Justice/Police Science from Eastern University, completing her studies from 2013 to 2015. She later obtained a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Southern New Hampshire University, graduating in 2023. Her education supports her advocacy work and understanding of social justice issues.
Media Recognition and Public Speaking Engagements
Barbie Izquierdo has gained recognition for her advocacy work through various media outlets. She has been featured on BBC World News, CNN, Associated Press, Washington Post, and People Magazine. Additionally, she has served as a keynote speaker at the White House, where she addressed issues related to food insecurity and poverty, further amplifying her message and impact.
Personal Experiences and Advocacy Focus
Barbie Izquierdo's advocacy is deeply influenced by her personal experiences with food insecurity. Growing up in North Philadelphia, she faced challenges that shaped her commitment to social justice issues, including food insecurity and domestic violence. She coined the term 'read-eating' to articulate her experiences and uses her story to drive policy change and uplift dignity in low-income communities.