Lenora Gooden is a proud St. Louis native with a longstanding commitment to food justice and community well-being. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a minor in Criminology from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, where she also later served on the Supply Chain and Analytics Advisory Board. She is an alumna of the FOCUS St. Louis Fellows Program (Class of 2020–2021), demonstrating her continued dedication to civic leadership and regional impact. Lenora’s passion for hunger relief began in 1996 at the St. Louis Area Foodbank, where she spent 26 years building invaluable expertise in food systems, nonprofit operations, and the complex factors surrounding food insecurity. In 2021, she brought her knowledge and compassion to Operation Food Search, further expanding her perspective on community-based solutions to hunger and food equity. Today, Lenora brings her journey full circle in her role at Umoja Supply Chain Solutions, where she works on the Procurement Team, sourcing essential food items for food boxes specifically designed for food banks. Her work ensures that nutritious food reaches the families and communities who need it most—aligning her personal mission with her professional path. Lenora is thrilled to bring her experience and energy to the Board of Rustic Roots Sanctuary. “It’s a perfect fit,” she says. “I’m passionate about fresh produce and ensuring communities have access to healthy options—and Rustic Roots is doing incredible work to make that happen.” When she’s not advocating for equitable food access, Lenora enjoys cooking, traveling, great music, quality time with family, and relaxing with her husband of eight years (best friend of 18 years), Reginald Gooden.