Olivia Peña (she/her) leads CSPI's Engagement and Capacity Building Team, which builds and maintains partnerships across the organization's issue areas, and supports the organization's grantmaking portfolio of advocacy partners. The Engagement Team's work centers on building the power and capacity of local and state community partners who are working to equitably advance food and health initiatives through organizing and policy advocacy.

Before joining CSPI, Olivia worked at the Building Movement Project where she supported the development of a race equity assessment for nonprofits, managed cohorts of nonprofit leaders and staff, and explored social change initiatives through direct service provision. Building on her passions of food and community power, Olivia founded a food and agriculture-focused network for communities of color. Her research and writing has been featured in publications such as Science of the Total Environment and the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development. Olivia earned both a BS and an MS from the University of Vermont in Food Systems, and was named a 2017 National Scholar by the James Beard Foundation. Outside of CSPI, Olivia enjoys reading, horseback riding, long distance running, and tending to her collection of houseplants.

Joined CSPI

Olivia joined CSPI in April 2023.

What's the most inspiring part of your job?

"I believe in both the power and strength of community. It's inspiring to support on-the-ground power building and advocacy by funding local and state initiatives, sharing tools, and contributing capacity to support communities as they advocate for more equitable and just food systems."