Inaugural Council of Experts with Lived Experience receive 2025 Patrick Hughes Award for Social Justice
Megan Ramette
Project Bread’s inaugural Council of Experts with Lived Experience is being recognized for their meaningful work in addressing the root causes of hunger, and bravely sharing their personal experiences to advocate for sustainable solutions for statewide food security.
The nonprofit's most prestigious award was created to honor the legacy of Patrick Hughes, whose deep-seated passion for social justice and entrepreneurial spirit led him to found Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger in 1969. His activism and advocacy were anchored in optimism and stemmed from his belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every human being.
“Concetta, Elsa, Giovanny, Kelly, Levenia, Paula, Yesenia - all of our Council alumni embody the same entrepreneurial spirit of Patrick Hughes. They are community leaders who share Project Bread’s passion for food justice. The group is an inspiration to us all, deeply committed to ensuring that everyone in Massachusetts can access and afford food with dignity.””
Erin McAleer, President & CEO of Project Bread
Launched in 2023, the Council of Experts was founded to challenge exclusionary systems that perpetuate food insecurity by ensuring that those with lived experience of hunger inform and shape Project Bread’s decision-making, strategy, and policy initiatives as trusted community leaders. The Council of Experts members of the 2023-2024 cohort - Levenia Furusa, Giovanny Armando Zuniga Piamba, Paula Andrea Tobon, Kelly Russell, Yesenia Arroyo, Concetta Paul, and Elsa Flores - all contributed to projects like improving evaluation tools with the research team, refining communications for The Walk for Hunger, increasing awareness of summer hunger programs with the Child Nutrition Outreach Program, and meeting with legislators to steward the launch of the statewide Make Hunger History coalition. Their involvement enhanced outreach, resource sharing, policy strategy, and program development, ensuring that the needs of the community are met in a sustainable way, and many are continuing their involvement with Project Bread to this day.
The Council ambassadors accepted the Patrick Hughes Award for Social Justice onstage in front of over 3,000 attendees at our 57th Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 4. Kelly Russell and Elsa Flores shared remarks that highlighted the power of elevating and empowering marginalized voices and giving those with lived experience a seat at the table. Our flagship community fundraiser is still raising over $1 million to ensure food access for all children and families in Massachusetts.
Immediately after the Walk, Paula, Elsa, Kelly, Giovanny and Levenia flew down to Washington, D.C. where some of them joined an expert panel alongside Project Bread’s Director of Public Policy Leran Minc during the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference. This moment underscores Massachusetts’ national leadership in food justice, with Project Bread modeling what it means to work in authentic partnership with people whose lived experience is their expertise. In a time when civic voices—particularly in policymaking and government affairs—are being silenced or sidelined, this is more than symbolic. It’s transformative. These Council ambassadors aren’t just part of the conversation—they’re bringing the realities of hunger to national platforms, including Capitol Hill, where they are advocating for change as part of the Food Research & Action Center’s annual conference. Their presence and power are a critical reminder that effective, equitable solutions must be informed by those who know the issue most intimately.
Past Patrick Hughes award winners include:
- 2024: Greg Wilmot, President & CEO of NeighborHealth, for his leadership, passion and dedication to the community, and his deep commitment to addressing food insecurity as a part of healthcare.
- 2023: Addario Miranda, youth advocate, for his his compassionate social justice advocacy inspired by his own lived experience with hunger.
- 2022: Brittany Mangini, Director of Food Security and Nutrition at the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), and Robert Leshin, Director of the Office for Food and Nutrition Programs at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), for their combined leadership, creativity, and passion to ensure everyone across the Commonwealth can meet their most basic need, food.
Hear directly from our 2023-2024 cohort on their experience in the Council of Experts with Lived Experience:
“I am honored to receive the Patrick Hughes Award for Social Justice. My time working with Project Bread’s Council of Experts has represented a tremendous amount of learning, shared experiences and meeting so many other great community leaders who help enrich my personal and professional learning.
Most importantly, in my role, I represent the voice of the most vulnerable people in my community”
Elsa Flores
“I am truly humbled and honored to receive the Patrick Hughes Award for Social Justice. This recognition reflects the collective efforts of the inspiring individuals and organizations I’ve had the privilege to work with, including the dedicated leaders of Project Bread’s Council of Experts.
This journey has transformed my understanding of the challenges facing our community and has strengthened my commitment to creating meaningful change. The insights gained have been instrumental in growing The Dwelling House of Hope, allowing us to better empower individuals and families through resources that foster self-sufficiency, dignity, and hope.
This award reaffirms my belief that by coming together, we can create lasting change, helping individuals rise above their circumstances and build brighter futures.”
Levenia Furusa
"I am honored to receive the Patrick Hughes Award for Social Justice along with my fellow Council members. Sharing your lived experience with strangers can be a very daunting task. I'll admit, in the beginning it was hard. This award is proof that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. It is also evidence that including voices with Lived Experience is a powerful tool in the fight for equity. I am incredibly proud of the work done by myself and my entire cohort and it is so empowering to be recognized for our contributions. I look forward to continuing to represent Project Bread and supporting the new council during my time as a Council Ambassador."
Kelly Russell
"Working with Project Bread has been a transformative experience that has filled me with gratitude and hope. From day one, I have felt the unwavering passion of every person involved in this foundation to create a more just and equitable world. Every program, every initiative, and every step forward reflects the tireless commitment to honoring the dignity of people facing inequality.
Receiving the 2025 Patrick Hughes Award for Social Justice is a profound and exciting honor. This award not only recognizes my work, but also celebrates the legacy of Patrick Hughes, whose inspiring vision continues to be the guiding beacon of our mission. Their entrepreneurial spirit and faith in the power of collective change are values we deeply share at Project Bread.
This recognition is a constant reminder that, together, we can tackle the biggest challenges and build a future where everyone has access to nutritious food, education, and fair opportunities.
I am infinitely grateful to the entire Project Bread community for their support, dedication, and belief in me. This award is both mine and yours, because without your tireless work, none of this would be possible.
I am proud to be part of this movement and to continue fighting for a society where social justice is a reality for all people.
And long live COLOMBIA wherever I am!!!!!!!!"
Paula Andrea Tobon
"I’m truly honored to receive the Patrick Hughes Award for Social Justice. This award is not just a personal recognition—it represents the collective work and the power of voices that are too often left out of important conversations. My time with Project Bread’s Council of Experts has been transformative. I didn’t just learn about public policy and the food system—I learned how powerful it is when people with lived experience are truly heard and valued. I’ve met inspiring community leaders, and I’ve seen how our stories can shape real change.
I accept this award on behalf of my community—immigrants, workers, families—who face daily challenges just to put food on the table. Social justice begins when everyone has a seat at the table, and I thank Project Bread for making that possible."
Giovanny Zuniga
Highlights from the Walk
Enjoy this recap of the 57th Walk for Hunger where over 3,000 walkers came together to celebrate raising over $1 million to fight hunger.
Even though this year’s Walk has ended, there’s still time to fundraise and donate to this incredible community movement. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for next year’s Walk for Hunger - always the first Sunday in May!