Heidi Kessler brings bold energy and nearly two decades of experience in childhood obesity prevention, behavioral economics, policy and systems change, stakeholder engagement, program development and evaluation, and capacity building – with a primary focus on school meal programs around the world.
Heidi serves as Deputy Director at the Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF), where she manages day-to-day operations, human resources, and development while driving the strategy behind the Foundation’s two flagship initiatives: The Global Survey of School Meal Programs and the Global Child Nutrition Forum. She ensures these programs remain globally inclusive, evidence-driven, and action-oriented – supporting governments and their partners to share knowledge, identify needs, and scale solutions. She is equally passionate about building healthy, high functioning teams, identifying and executing efficiencies, leading through transitions, and prioritizing connection in the workplace while staying laser-focused on GCNF’s mission.
Prior to GCNF, Heidi held leadership roles at the Chef Ann Foundation, Cornell University’s Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition (BEN) Center, and Maine Health’s Let’s Go!, a multi-sector childhood obesity prevention program. Across these roles, Heidi shaped her philosophy of work: bold ideas, inclusive collaboration, and a sense of joy can coexist with deep dedication to improving nutrition for children.
Heidi holds a master’s degree in Nutrition, is a School Nutrition Specialist (SNS), is certified in food safety, and is trained in emergency response.
Outside of work, Heidi is a master gardener, herbalist, and forager who finds joy in the natural world and seasonal living.
