Holly Freishtat

Holly Freishtat, currently serving as the senior director of Feeding Change at the Milken Institute, has a history steeped in the development and implementation of food system policies and programs. A pioneer in her field, Freishtat was appointed as Baltimore City’s first food policy director and chief of food policy and planning, an unprecedented role that allowed her to pave the way for future food system policies. Her leadership extended to the founding and directing of the Baltimore Food Policy Initiative, a testament to her drive to ensure sustainable and equitable food systems in urban environments.

In her two-decade-long career, Freishtat has garnered much attention for her work, having been interviewed by various media outlets such as CNN, NBC, Huffington Post, Politico, and the Associated Press. These interviews, along with her extensive speaking portfolio, which includes 125 international and national speaking engagements, have provided platforms for her to share her insights and expertise. Her speaking engagements not only highlight her deep understanding of food systems but also her ability to effectively convey complex concepts to diverse audiences.

Freishtat's efforts have been recognized through several awards, including the Mayor’s Medallion for Meritorious Service Award, Maryland Daily Record’s Top 100 Women, and the 2016 Milan Urban Food Policy Pact Award. A scholar at heart, she holds an MS in agriculture, food, and environment from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, a BS in nutrition from the University of Vermont, and an executive certificate from Carey Business School. Her educational background further reinforces her credibility in the field, making her a respected authority on food systems and policy.