Our Leadership Team

Alicia Li is the founder of Food For Thought Alliance and a junior at the Horace Mann School in New York City. With a focus on using artificial intelligence to address critical environmental challenges, Alicia is particularly passionate about combating food waste. She combines her technological expertise with a deep commitment to sustainability and social impact. In addition to her academic and advocacy work, Alicia is an accomplished musician, having played the violin for ten years and performing both as a soloist and in choirs. Her diverse interests in technology, environmentalism, and the arts inform her dynamic approach to creating positive change in her community.

Ria is the Director of Development for Food For Thought Alliance. With years of experience in nonprofit development, grant writing, and strategic partnership building, Ria is committed to advancing FFTAI's mission of combating food waste and hunger. She specializes in securing funding, managing donor relations, and fostering partnerships to ensure the sustainability and growth of FFTAI’s programs.

Ria’s background includes extensive work in both the nonprofit, technology and education sectors, where she has secured funding for initiatives aimed at addressing systemic barriers to economic advancement and health disparities. She holds a degree in Health Education with a concentration in Public Health, and her expertise spans grant writing, project management, and program evaluation.

At FFTAI, Ria plays a crucial role in developing and executing fundraising strategies, cultivating relationships with donors, and overseeing the organization’s grant application processes. Her leadership has been instrumental in the continued growth and expansion of FFTAI’s initiatives, helping the organization reach new communities and make a lasting impact on food justice.

Ria is passionate about building partnerships that advance equity, sustainability, and community empowerment, and she is proud to contribute to FFTAI’s mission to create a more sustainable and equitable food system.

Mingzhou Jin is the John D. Tickle Professor and Head of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. With an extensive background in systems optimization, logistics, and data-driven decision-making, Professor Jin is a recognized leader in the field of industrial engineering. His research focuses on optimizing complex systems to improve operational efficiency, resource utilization, and overall performance across various industries.

Professor Jin has made significant contributions to the development of innovative solutions for both academic and practical challenges. His work in systems optimization has enhanced the efficiency of supply chains, transportation networks, and other critical infrastructure systems. Through his leadership, he has guided numerous projects that bridge the gap between theory and real-world application, particularly in industries such as logistics, manufacturing, and sustainability.

In addition to his academic research, Professor Jin is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers. His ability to translate complex ideas into actionable insights has earned him recognition as a respected educator and advisor. He has worked closely with organizations in both the private and public sectors, offering his expertise to improve operational practices and drive innovative solutions to systemic challenges.

As a board member of Food For Thought Alliance, Professor Jin leverages his expertise in optimization and logistics to help the organization enhance its operations and maximize its impact in addressing food insecurity. His strategic guidance ensures that FFTAI's initiatives are efficient, scalable, and sustainable, contributing to the organization's mission to combat food waste and hunger.

Professor Jin’s work exemplifies the power of applied systems thinking to drive meaningful change, and he continues to influence the fields of industrial engineering and sustainability through both his academic and professional endeavors.