Newman’s Own Foundation Welcomes Incoming Class of Fellows

Westport, CT – Newman’s Own Foundation announced the third year of its Fellowship Program, as a new class of 17 Fellows is welcomed into the program. The new Fellows come from a wide swath of geography, from Alaska to New Zealand, and they will work at organizations covering six states and Washington, DC. As the Fellows are welcomed, 13 Fellows from the Class of 2017 graduate.

Newman’s Own Foundation pairs each Fellow with a nonprofit organization in a role that aligns with the individual’s capabilities and interests. The placements are made by Newman’s Own Foundation in collaboration with the host nonprofits. The Fellows are selected based on demonstrated leadership skills, as well as commitment to social issues and community development.

“The Newman’s Own Foundation Fellowship Program provides special opportunities and exposure to social impact and philanthropy that participants may not otherwise experience at a young age,” said Bob Forrester, President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation, and Executive Chairman of Newman’s Own, Inc. “We hope this experience inspires them to use their skills and talents to help make the world a better place.”

The Fellowship Program is a defining experience that has lasting impact. Throughout the year, in addition to their work experience, Newman’s Own Foundation provides workshops, coaching, career development, networking, and other support, as part of a comprehensive enrichment program. The Fellows are able to develop a strong sense of civic responsibility, cultivate a deeper understanding of philanthropy, learn new skills, and help connect their values and passions to career choices.

The incoming class of Fellows went through a four-day orientation, led by Newman’s Own Foundation, prior to starting work at their respective organizations. The orientation included workshops in teambuilding and development activities to better prepare them to enter the workforce.

Here are the new Fellows in the graduating Class of 2018:

Anna Grace Barry of Maryville, TN, will be a Fellow at New Haven Farms in New Haven, CT. She is a graduate of Carson-Newman University.
Chrisovalanti Beckus of Saddle Brook, NJ, will be a Fellow at Our Piece of the Pie in Hartford, CT. He is a graduate of Montclair State University.
Kyler Blodgett of McLean, VA, will be a Fellow at Propeller in New Orleans, LA. He is a graduate of Middlebury College.
Del Curfman of Billings, MT, will be a Fellow at the Aspen Institute Center for Native American Youth in Washington, DC. He is a graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts.
Navmit Dhesi of Fresno, CA, will be a Fellow at SHOFCO in New York, NY. She is a graduate of California State University.
James Gilchrest of Juneau, AK, will be a Fellow at the Institute for Veterans and Military Families in Syracuse, NY. He is a graduate of the University of Alaska.
Joshua Hinnant of Atlanta, GA, will be a Fellow at The Daily Table in Dorchester, MA. He is a graduate of Boston University.
Robert Hunt of Natick, MA, will be a Fellow at Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network in Hartford, CT. He is a graduate of UMass Amherst.
Shannon Kelsh of Charleston, WV, will be a Fellow at the Women’s Business Development Center in Chicago, IL. She is a graduate of Fordham University.
Sara Louie of New York, NY, will be a Fellow at SeriousFun Children’s Network in Westport, CT. She is a graduate of City University of New York, Macaulay Honors College.
Hannah McCandless of Elizabethtown, KY, will be a Fellow at National Farm to School Network in Washington, DC. She is a graduate of Lindsey Wilson College.
Hadeel Mishal of Staten Island, NY, will be a Fellow at The Food Trust in Philadelphia, PA. She is a graduate of Wagner College.
Anthony Moaton of Oak Park, IL, will be a Fellow at WSHU in Fairfield, CT. He is a graduate of Oberlin College.
Rodrigo Rabanal of New York, NY, will be a Fellow at Wellness in the Schools in New York, NY. He is a graduate of DePauw University.
Caitlin Smallfield of Auckland, New Zealand, will be a Fellow at Newman’s Own Foundation in Westport, CT. She is a graduate of the University of Hartford.
Sanjay Thapa of Ridgewood, NY, will be a Fellow at The Posse Foundation in New York, NY. He is a graduate of Trinity College.
Yliana Velazquez of Chicago, IL, will be a Fellow at Edible Schoolyard in New Orleans, LA, a signature program of FirstLine Schools. She is a graduate of Cornell University.