USDA Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, New York
Dickran Jebejian, D.J., is a Senior Advisor for USDA’s Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. In this role he is working to advance the goals of the National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate as they relate to USDA foods and feeding programs. Through this work he is aiming to create greater equity within USDA programs for both kosher and halal observant Americans who rely on USDA food resources.
Prior to join USDA D.J. was the Manager of Food Policy for Met Council Food Programs and Policy where he was responsible for research and analysis that guided advocacy with local, state, and federal agencies and elected officials. At Met Council D.J. successfully secured significant funding for Met Council Food Programs and Policy, while also helping push for legislation, budgets, and policy changes that directly benefited emergency food organizations throughout New York City.
While working towards his bachelor's degree in political science, focusing on political economics, from the University of California Santa Cruz, D.J. cemented his love for feeding people as a line cook. Through this work, he learned about food systems and procurement in the largest agricultural market in the United States. From there, D.J. pursued a Master's in Public Policy from the University of California Los Angeles, studying qualitative and quantitative policy analysis while receiving mentorship from the founder of the Los Angele Food Policy Council.