WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that Debra Eschmeyer, White House Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition Policy and Executive Director of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! Initiative, will serve as the keynote speaker for the “Propel Ohio: Collegiate Leadership Summit” on October 14 at the University of Dayton.  Prior to her work on food and nutrition policy in Washington, Eschmeyer co-founded FoodCorps, a non-profit that connects schools in high-need communities to healthy foods to reduce childhood obesity and diet-related diseases.  She also owns Harvest Sun Farm, a family farm in her hometown of New Knoxville, Ohio. 

“I’m honored to welcome Debra Eschmeyer as the keynote speaker for this year’s Propel Ohio summit,” said Brown. “Her lifelong passion for food and nutrition advocacy and policy has increased access to healthy foods for children and families across the country.  Her hard work, dedication and compassion are an inspiration to students seeking a career in public service, where they can help those in need and shape policy that will benefit our communities.”

Propel Ohio is a one-day program that aims to promote civic engagement and connect college students with resources on volunteer, internship, and career opportunities related to public service in Ohio. At this year’s summit, students will actively network with organizations that are working to combat issues that affect childhood poverty, including health and hunger, education, and housing security.

The summit will feature discussions with a number of community and non-profit leaders in Ohio. The day will conclude with a resource fair where students will learn more about organizations that are tackling childhood poverty and public service opportunities in their communities.

This year’s Propel Ohio was organized in partnership with the University of Dayton, Ohio Campus Compact, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Fitz Center for Leadership in Community, Ohio United Way, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, Children’s Hunger Alliance, and Boys and Girls Clubs of Columbus.

 

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