Feeding America, District of Columbia
Derek Polka is a dedicated nonprofit professional with over a decade of experience in food security, policy research, and community outreach. Currently serving as the Manager of Government Food Operations at Feeding America in Washington, DC, Derek works at the intersection of federal food programs and nonprofit hunger relief efforts.
Prior to joining Feeding America, Derek spent nearly five years as Senior Policy & Research Manager at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, where he led research initiatives and advocacy campaigns addressing food insecurity in Southern California. His career includes significant experience with major food banks, including over two years at the SF-Marin Food Bank where he developed community outreach strategies and managed program implementation.
Derek brings a unique perspective shaped by his diverse background in civil rights, community development, and correctional psychology. He holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration with a focus on Food Security and Global Governance from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey and dual Bachelor's degrees in Sociology and Psychology from UC Santa Barbara.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Derek is committed to human-centered approaches to food security challenges and brings expertise in program evaluation and research methodologies to his work.
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