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Liz Accles
Executive Director at Community Food Advocates
Professional Background
Liz Accles is a dedicated and highly experienced Executive Director within the non-profit sector, focusing on social justice and advocacy. Her deep commitment to promoting equity and accessibility is evident through her extensive career in various influential roles, where she has worked to advance policies and programs that uplift marginalized communities.
Currently serving as the Executive Director at Community Food Advocates, Liz leads initiatives aimed at improving food justice and security within her community. Her extensive background in public policy and advocacy has enabled her to develop impactful programs and campaigns, advocating for inclusive policies that benefit all. Under her leadership, Community Food Advocates has made significant strides in addressing the needs of food-insecure populations and has become a crucial resource for education, advocacy, and outreach.
Before her role as Executive Director, Liz held the position of Director of Policy and Advocacy at Community Food Advocates, where she honed her skills in developing strategic initiatives that align with the organization's mission. Her expertise extends to managing grassroots organizing efforts, which empowers individuals and communities to take action towards equitable service provision and resource access.
Liz has also held prominent positions such as Senior Policy Analyst for Income Security and Early Childhood Education at the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, where she analyzed and advocated for policies that support vulnerable families and children. Her role as Director of RideProvide at TransOptions involved coordinating transportation services that helped bridge gaps in access to essential resources, showcasing her ability to support logistical needs in addition to policy reform.
Moreover, her experience as National Outreach Coordinator at Lambda Legal speaks volumes about her commitment to civil rights and advocacy. In this role, Liz amplified the voices of LGBTQ individuals and worked on crucial legal matters to advance equality. Additionally, as the Director of the Welfare Made A Difference National Campaign at the Community Food Resource Center, she led efforts to improve welfare systems and protect the rights of beneficiaries.
Starting her career as a Case Manager at both Grand Central Partnership and Bond Street Drop-In Center, Liz gained invaluable frontline experience working directly with individuals facing economic and social challenges. This early exposure has undoubtedly shaped her perspective and fueled her passion for systemic change through effective policy advocacy and grassroots mobilization.
Education and Achievements
Liz Accles has a strong academic foundation, having studied Sociology at the CUNY Graduate Center, where she acquired in-depth knowledge of social structures and the dynamics that affect vulnerable populations. Her undergraduate studies at the City University of New York-Brooklyn College provided her with a comprehensive background in the social sciences, equipping her with the theoretical framework necessary to understand and tackle complex social issues.
Throughout her career, Liz has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to social justice, using her research and analytical skills to inform policy decisions that directly impact individuals and communities. Her work in various non-profits highlights her ability to lead, advocate, and create sustainable change. Liz's diverse experiences working in multiple capacities within non-profit organizations showcase her versatility and ability to adapt to different challenges while remaining focused on her mission to serve others.
Achievements
- Community Food Advocates Leadership: Successfully spearheaded initiatives to enhance food access and advocate for systemic change in food policy.
- Policy Reform Contributions: Played a pivotal role in developing policies that have positively impacted income security and early childhood education at the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies.
- Grassroots Organizing: Championed grassroots campaigns that mobilized community members to advocate for their rights and address systemic inequities.
- Civil Rights Advocacy: Promoted LGBTQ rights during her tenure as National Outreach Coordinator at Lambda Legal, contributing to landmark legal cases and awareness efforts.
- Collaboration and Coalition Building: Excelled in building coalitions among various stakeholders, promoting dialogue and collaboration to achieve common goals.
- Capacity Building: Developed training and capacity-building programs that empower individuals to participate in social change efforts effectively.
Overall, Liz Accles embodies the spirit of dedicated service and unyielding commitment to social justice, making her a leading figure in the non-profit community. Her career is marked by extensive experience, educational achievement, and significant contributions to advocacy and policy reform.
Notable Skills
- Nonprofit organizations
- Public policy advocacy
- Grassroots organizing
- Government relations
- Policy strategy development
- Coalition building
- Effective facilitation and communication