Piniel Tadesse, CHES

Piniel Tadesse holds a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health Education from North Carolina Central University and brings a deep commitment to advancing food access, sustainable agriculture, and equitable food systems.

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Piniel's path into food systems work began at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when she joined a food bank and witnessed firsthand how fragile large-scale food systems can be and how deeply communities depend on global supply chains for their most basic needs. Working within a health education department during that time, she led emergency food distribution efforts and delivered virtual nutrition and community education programs.

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Piniel came to understand that information about healthy eating alone is insufficient in advancing public health without also addressing the barriers that influence people's access to healthy food. This realization became the foundation of her professional philosophy. She joined CMFPC in 2022 and translated her frontline experience into food systems work—collaborating directly with farmers markets across Mecklenburg County to expand access to fresh, local food.

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Now serving as Executive Director, Piniel blends her expertise in nutrition education, community engagement, and policy advocacy to champion community-centered, holistic approaches to food systems change. Her work is driven by a passion for building local, sustainable, and equitable food systems that meet the real needs of communities in Mecklenburg County.