Welcoming Van Nguyen as Project Feast’s New Executive Director

Van, who has extensive experience in education, community development, and nonprofit management, began her career at the Asian Studies Center at Michigan State University. She managed outreach and advocacy to introduce global studies into local classrooms, partnering with immigrants and refugees in the broader region to integrate their voices into programming and the state curriculum as part of the governor’s special task force. An immigrant and refugee herself, Van came to the United States from Vietnam as a child. Growing up as part of a refugee community, and later, studying the diaspora in college and graduate school, Van is most at home in a multicultural environment. With a passion for cooking, eating, and everything food-related, she is excited to join Project Feast where her interests in food intersect with her desire to support the immigrant and refugee community.

Van said, “I am incredibly humbled and honored to have the opportunity to advance Project Feast’s mission and to lead this incredible organization into its next chapter.  As someone who strives for inclusivity, celebrates diverse voices and perspectives, and enjoys working in a learning-centered environment, I am excited for the potential of Project Feast to truly make a profound difference in the lives of immigrants and refugees. I am lucky to join a fantastic team and look forward to engaging, growing, and galvanizing our community.”

This culminates Project Feast’s first executive director transition. Van is taking the reins from Project Feast’s founder and director for the past 6 years, Veena Prasad. The Board of Directors sincerely thanks Veena for her vision, passion, and commitment to Project Feast and the communities we serve.

Project Feast Board President Wesley Nguyen (no relation to Van) expressed his appreciation for Veena’s six years of leadership and welcomed Van to lead the organization’s next chapters. He said, “The Project Feast community owes immense gratitude to Veena for her many years of dedication, translating her vision for needed change into the reality of Project Feast. She has fostered transformative change for our apprentices and stakeholders.” He continued, “Van is going to be a wonderful leader for Project Feast as we grow Project Feast’s scale and impact for the immigrant and refugee communities we serve. On behalf of Project Feast’s Board, employees, and broader community, we welcome Van as Executive Director.” ​

About Project Feast

Project Feast is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the mission to transform the lives of refugees and by providing pathways to sustainable employment in the food industry, and to enrich communities through intercultural exchange. We envision food as a catalyst for bringing refugees, immigrants and the broader community together to celebrate our diversity.

Project Feast
202 W Gowe St
Kent, WA 98032
Web:     https://projectfeast.org
Phone:  (253) 236-5297

Ubuntu Cafe is open for lunch 11am-1pm, Wed-Fri, at the same location!
https://projectfeast.org/ubuntu-street-cafeacute.html

For more information and press inquiries, email:  hello@projectfeast.org