Expertise

Based

on Experience

Overcoming Hunger & Poverty.

Fighting for Equality.

Barbie Izquierdo is an impactful and widely respected anti-hunger advocate. She is celebrated for her authentic commitment to addressing food insecurity and empowering communities to take action against systemic poverty. Internationally recognized for her resilience, grit, and unique perspective shaped by lived experience, Barbie has become a transformative figure in the movement. She uses her personal story to advocate for change on both local and national stages.

Barbie’s journey from navigating food insecurity herself to influencing policy and public opinion began with her work as a community organizer and quickly garnered attention for her candid and courageous approach. Her dedication to the cause has been recognized with numerous accolades, including her presidential appointment by President Biden as a President’s Councilmember on Sports,  Fitness, and Nutrition,  and her inclusion in the influential documentary, A Place at the Table. Her powerful storytelling and unwavering authenticity in this film illuminated the challenges of food insecurity, touching audiences worldwide and raising awareness about the need for systemic change.

Barbie’s impact is evident in her numerous public engagements and collaborations with major organizations, including Feeding America and Share Our Strength, where she has contributed her insights and expertise to shape critical hunger relief programs. She has also served as a prominent spokesperson, helping to organize the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in 2022, where she advocated directly to policymakers, sharing her experiences to highlight gaps in federal support systems and propose solutions rooted in community needs. Also in 2022, she was awarded the Citizen Prize by Global Citizen, which celebrates remarkable changemakers who are taking exceptional actions to end extreme poverty now. She is the first American in history to win this award. Barbie Izquierdo is currently the Director of Neighbors Community Engagement at Feeding America.

Purchase my latest E-books here: https://barbiefightshunger.etsy.com

💛 A Story of Survival. A Testament to Strength. A Call to Rise. 💛

There are moments in life that break us. That make us question our worth, our power, our future. But there are also moments when we rise—when we reclaim our stories, our voices, and our place in this world.

🌟 “Empowered: An Afro-Latina Journey of Resilience and Triumph” is more than a book—it’s a heartbeat, a battle cry, a love letter to every woman who has ever been told she is not enough.

📖 Inside These Pages, You’ll Discover:
💪 A deeply personal journey of overcoming hardship, embracing identity, and finding purpose.
🔥 The raw truth of navigating struggle, breaking barriers, and turning pain into power.
🗣️ The power of using lived experience to challenge injustice and demand change.
💛 A message of healing, self-love, and empowerment for every woman who has ever felt unseen.

💡 “This is not just my story—it’s the story of every woman who has fought to rise, who has found light in the darkest places, and who refuses to be silenced.”

📌 If you’ve ever needed a reminder of your strength, your worth, and your ability to rewrite your future—this book is for you.

📢 Get your copy today and step into your power. Purchase my latest E-books here: https://barbiefightshunger.etsy.com

“From Hunger to Hope: My Journey from Food Insecurity to Advocacy” by Barbie Izquierdo is more than a memoir—it’s a call to action.

📖 Inside These Pages, You’ll Discover:
✅ A firsthand account of surviving food insecurity and turning struggle into strength.
✅ How one mother’s lived experience became the expertise that shaped policy change.
✅ The power of storytelling in advocacy—how real voices drive real change.
✅ A behind-the-scenes look at testifying before Congress, shaping food justice policy, and leading a movement.
✅ A message of hope, resilience, and the fight for food equity that every advocate needs to hear.

💡 “This book isn’t just about my journey—it’s about all of us. It’s about fighting for dignity, for justice, and for a future where no one has to wonder where their next meal will come from.” – Barbie Izquierdo

📌 If you’ve ever wondered how one voice can change the system, this book is your answer.

📢 Get your copy today and be part of the movement to end hunger. Purchase my E-book here: https://barbiefightshunger.etsy.com

Consulting & Presentations

Consulting Services

Barbie offers expert consulting services for nonprofits, advocacy groups, universities, and corporate social responsibility teams.

🌟 Areas of Expertise:

  • Storytelling & Narrative Development for Advocacy Campaigns
  • Strategic Community Engagement & Mobilization
  • Policy & Legislative Advocacy Training
  • Media & Public Relations Strategies
  • Leadership Development for Emerging Advocates

Nonprofits & Advocacy Groups: Let Barbie help your organization develop more impactful storytelling, advocacy, and leadership strategies.
Universities & Schools: Bring Barbie in for leadership workshops and student engagement programs.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Teams: Learn how to authentically support communities affected by food insecurity.


Speaking & Workshop Topics

Barbie delivers powerful keynotes, workshops, and panel discussions tailored to nonprofits, universities, corporate social responsibility programs, and advocacy groups.

🎤 Featured Speaking Topics:

The Power of Lived Experience in Advocacy – How personal storytelling drives real policy change.
Breaking the Cycle of Hunger: A Call to Action – Understanding food insecurity from a firsthand perspective.
Grassroots Leadership & Mobilization – Strategies for organizing communities and influencing change.
From Lived Experience to Leadership – Empowering individuals with personal experience to become changemakers.
Advocacy in Action: Engaging Policymakers & Media – How to effectively advocate for social change.

📚 Workshop & Training Options:

Storytelling for Impact: Crafting personal narratives for advocacy and leadership.
Community Organizing 101: Building grassroots movements to drive change.
Public Speaking & Media Training: Equipping changemakers to confidently share their message.
Policy Advocacy & Engagement: How to influence local, state, and federal policies.

I connect well with all kinds of audiences. I speak without pretense. I bring my real self – empathetic and authentic. I have delivered dozens of presentations across the country. I cherish every opportunity to share my personal story of battling hunger in America. Join the fight. We can help each other.

I look forward to hearing from you

Media & Testimonials

If you need a dynamic source who is immersed both in the experience of hunger and advocacy work at the local, state, and federal level, please contact me. With over 15 years of expertise, I have built a career as a consultant, public speaker, trainer, and advocate dedicated to transforming the way society understands and addresses food insecurity and poverty. My work spans grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, media engagement, and leadership development, helping communities and organizations drive systemic change.

I bring not only lived experience but also extensive professional expertise in consulting, creating impactful training workshops, and delivering compelling keynotes to diverse audiences. I have collaborated with national and international media outlets, nonprofit organizations, universities, and corporate teams to elevate conversations around food justice and poverty alleviation.

If you are looking for a speaker or consultant who blends personal experience with strategic expertise, I would love to connect. Whether you are a journalist, filmmaker, nonprofit leader, or event organizer, I am available for:

🎙 Media Interviews: Providing firsthand insights and expert commentary on hunger, poverty, and policy.
📺 TV & Documentary Features: Offering compelling, real-life perspectives for impactful storytelling.
🎤 Podcast & Panel Discussions: Engaging audiences with authentic lived-experience advocacy.
📰 Op-Eds & Articles: Contributing thought leadership and personal narratives to major publications.
📢 Custom Training Workshops: Equipping teams with the knowledge and skills to effectively advocate for change.

Past Speaking & Media Features

Interviewed by PBS, NPR, The New York Times, and The Washington Post

Featured in Netflix’s “A Place at the Table”