Melanie Allen (she/her) is motivated by the dire need to have a more equitable world—and channels this motivation through leading efforts that rebuild institutions and create new means for marginalized communities to have access to finance, power, and decision-making in our food system. She is currently the coexecutive director for Black Farmer Fund (BFF), a community-led investment fund that facilitates capital, technical assistance, and community network building for Black farmers, land stewards, herbalists, and other food actors across the Northeast.