The Wake Forest Community Table (WFCT) Board of Directors has hired Emily Baird as a new Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) member now directing the day-to-day operations of WFCT.
Baird will serve in the role held by Joy Shillingsburg, founder and director of WFCT, who is now the diocesan mission strategy coordinator for The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina in Raleigh. Shillingsburg continues to serve as chair of the WFCT Board.
Baird is a recent graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in political science. In her VISTA position, she will be responsible for growing WFCT’s capacity and developing systems and relationships that will sustain the organization.
The community is invited to a meet and greet event for Baird on Monday, Sept 25, 5 – 6:30 p.m. at Hope House, 334 N. Allen Rd in Wake Forest. Attendees will get to meet Baird, enjoy refreshments and learn about WFCT’s upcoming initiatives and how they can get involved.
“When I learned about WFCT and its mission to address food insecurity in the Wake Forest community, I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” said Baird. “I’m thrilled to work alongside the dedicated team of volunteers and community partners who make a positive impact in our community.”
Baird was previously a year-long intern at the World Food Prize Foundation where she gained comprehensive skills in conference planning, administrative and logistical tasks, communications, and research. Her involvement with the North Carolina Youth Institute and the Global Youth Institute further solidified her commitment to community engagement.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Baird is an avid animal lover and is quick to share pictures of her beloved cat, Black Bean. In her spare time, Emily teaches group fitness classes, indulges her love for hiking and working out, and plays the oboe.
“We are thrilled to have Emily join our team,” says Shillingsburg. “Her passion and expertise align perfectly with our mission, and we are confident that her contributions will make a positive difference in our community.”