Just Food is pleased to announce the appointment of Brett Salsbury as Interim Executive Director effective May 14th, the last day at Just Food for departing Executive Director Elizabeth Keever. Salsbury originally joined Just Food as the organization's Administrative Assistant in August 2019. His skill and willingness to take on new challenges quickly led to his promotion to Director of Finance and Development in March 2020.
“I am honored to continue working with Just Food in this new capacity,” says Salsbury. “The ongoing fight against hunger has required innovative solutions to the evolving obstacles our community has faced in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges that have arisen. Our work at Just Food and the fight against hunger has never been more prescient and important, and thanks to the support of the community we have also never been stronger. I’m grateful to lead the organization alongside the rest of the Just Food team as we continue to adapt to meet whatever may arise and find new approaches to mitigate the impacts of hunger in Douglas County.”
Salsbury was raised in Kansas and attended the University of Kansas for his undergraduate degree and then received a Master of Fine Arts at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Before returning to Lawrence, Salsbury worked at the non-profit Neon Museum in Las Vegas as a Staff Supervisor and also worked as an English Instructor at UNLV and later at KU. In 2021, Brett focused his continuing education on expanding his skills to serve his community by receiving certifications in Proposal Writing from Fort Hays State University, and also as a Local Food Leader from Iowa State University. Salsbury is in the current Leadership Lawrence class of 2022. In 2022, Brett won the Langston Hughes Award for his creative writing.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside Brett for the past two and a half years. I know that his dedication, passion and skills will continue Just Food’s incredible momentum in the fight against hunger,” says Keever. “Brett has demonstrated his tireless commitment to Just Food, especially during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. His consistent leadership gave Just Food the stability the organization needed to weather new challenges and take advantage of new opportunities to advance the organization.”
“Since Brett joined the organization, he has consistently earned the trust and respect of the Just Food board of directors,” says James Walden, Board President. “We believe naming Brett’s appointment at this time will reduce near-term uncertainty and allow him to work with Liz for the rest of her tenure as he transitions into his new interim role. We are confident that he and the rest of the talented Just Food staff will continue to effectively serve Douglas County as the board works towards new permanent leadership.”
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