Des Moines, Iowa (April 14, 2026) – The World Food Prize Foundation today announced the creation of an Alumni Ambassador Program, deepening the Foundation’s investment in the next generation by activating alumni as leaders and advocates within a growing international network.
The inaugural cohort is made up of 22 Borlaug Scholar alumni serving as global representatives of the organization and advancing its mission to strengthen food security worldwide. Over the past three decades, the Foundation has engaged and inspired more than 90,000 Borlaug Scholars through its global youth programs.
“The Alumni Ambassadors program represents a natural evolution of our investment in young people,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “For decades, we have seen Borlaug Scholars leave our programs with passion and purpose. This initiative ensures they remain connected, supported and empowered to translate that passion into meaningful, real-world impact.”
The Alumni Ambassadors program is a year-long professional development initiative designed for individuals in the later stages of their academic journeys or in the early phases of their careers. As regional representatives of the Foundation, ambassadors will expand outreach, strengthen alumni engagement and elevate the impact of youth programming in communities around the world.
Aligned with the Foundation’s mission to advance innovation and inspire action in global agriculture, the program equips participants with leadership training, mentorship opportunities and a platform to connect local efforts to a broader international network. Ambassadors will play a critical role in strengthening connections between current students and alumni, fostering cross-generational collaboration and extending the Foundation’s impact well beyond the classroom.
“The Ambassador program offers a valuable opportunity for alumni to connect through our shared passions for food security, international development and sustainability,” said Nolan Monaghan, Midwest Region Youth Ambassador. “ By fostering relationships between alumni across regions and career stages, these networks will aid us in further enhancing our talents and capabilities in pursuit of a hunger free future.”
The program also reflects a strategic effort to activate the Foundation’s global alumni network as a force for change. By mobilizing these emerging leaders, the Foundation aims to amplify innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing food security challenges while strengthening a community united by a shared mission.
Through this inaugural cohort, the Foundation reinforces its commitment to investing in, equipping and mobilizing a global youth community dedicated to building sustainable and resilient food systems.
The 2026 Alumni Ambassador cohort representing five regions is:
Great Lakes Regional Team:
Chris Barron | West Lafayette, Indiana
Jana Chow | Plain City, Ohio
Jacob Savela | St. Paul, Minnesota
Destiny Taylor | Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Midwest Regional Team:
Evelyn Heidt | Altoona, Iowa
Alexander Hutchinson | Manhattan, Kansas
Kelli Klink | Roland, Iowa
Olivia Marti | Arthur, Iowa
Nolan Monaghan | St. Louis, Missouri
Morgan Smith | Nevada, Iowa
Northeast Regional Team:
Srijani Datta | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pranav Mettu | Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Andie Pinga | New York City, New York
Raena Prude | Ithaca, New York
Risha Shetye | Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
Southern Regional Team:
Alani Haile | Daytona Beach, Florida
Shywann Horne | Waycross, Georgia
Riya Kalluvila | Hubertus, Wisconsin
Angel Lindsey | Stockbridge, Georgia
Ariadne Pappa | College Station, Texas
Western Regional Team:
Tara Ross | Lamar, Arkansas
Maya Sande | Eden Prairie, Minnesota
About the World Food Prize: The World Food Prize is an international award that honors individuals who have improved the quality, quantity or availability of food worldwide. The Prize was founded by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize, for his work that contributed to increases in agricultural outputs which was termed the Green Revolution. Since then, the Prize has been awarded to 56 distinguished individuals during the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue. The Dialogue, also known as the Borlaug Dialogue, is a week of events dedicated to an issue surrounding food insecurity or hunger each year.
Source:
Zach Clemens
Senior Communications Manager I
