Our Team
FRANCES MOORE LAPPÉ
Cofounder, Director
Frances Moore Lappé is a writer, speaker, and activist. She has authored or co-authored 20 books and is a recipient of 20 honorary doctorates. Her first book, Diet for a Small Planet, has sold over 3 million copies. Lappé has been a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley and MIT and taught at various universities and colleges. She frequently appears in media and contributes to publications like Yes! Magazine and Common Dreams. Her works have been translated into 15 languages and are used in university courses. Lappé has won awards for her work and has been featured on Today Show, Hardball with Chris Matthews, Fox & Friends, NPR, and the BBC, among others.
"A small number of people in every generation are forerunners, in thought, action, spirit, who swerve past the barriers of greed and power to hold a torch high for the rest of us. Lappé is one of those."
—Howard Zinn, author of A People’s History of the United States
Anna Blythe Lappé is the Executive Director of the Global Alliance for the Future of Food and, along with the Small Planet Institute, co-founder of the SmallPlanet Fund and Real Food Media. From 2017 to 2023, she developed and ran the Food Sovereignty Fund of the Panta Rhea Foundation. A national bestselling author, Anna has written or co-written three books and contributed to or been featured in 19 others, including Diet for a Hot Planet: The Climate Crisis at the End of Your Fork and What You Can Do About It and Hope’s Edge. A James Beard Foundation Leadership Awardee, Anna was named one of TIME's "eco" Who's-Who and is a respected advocate for sustainability and justice along the food chain.
ANNA BLYTHE LAPPÉ
Cofounder
LEWIS d'AVIGDOR
Managing Director and Senior Writer
Lewis d’Avigdor (he/him) is a writer and educator, with a passion for understanding democratic movements. Before joining Small Planet Institute, he taught American history, African American studies and Indigenous studies at Cornell University, Wheaton College and Harvard University. He received a PhD from Cornell University in 2023. Prior to that he worked as a lawyer in Sydney Australia, while also volunteering in community legal centers. Outside of work he loves to read science fiction, watch horror films and cycle everywhere in all weather.
JIANA SAADE
Democracy Intern
Jiana (she/her) is a senior at Brandeis University studying Anthropology and International and Global Studies with a concentration in Law, Justice, and Human Rights. She is passionate about equity and advocacy work that challenges systemic barriers. In addition to her work at SPI, she also has a fellowship with American Promise. As a fellow, she is advocating for the For Our Future Amendment, which proposes campaign finance regulation on a constitutional level. In the past, she studied refugees and worked with vulnerable women and children in Jordan, focusing on culturally competent care and international humanitarian policy standards. Jiana is interested in pursuing Law as she moves forward and hopes to create a brighter future for the generations ahead of her. In her free time, she loves spending time with her friends, going on beautiful nature walks, and traveling the world to absorb new cultures and perspectives.
SOPHIA WIDHOLM
Democracy Intern
Sophia (she/her) is a rising junior at Boston University, studying international relations and public health. Her academic interests include anthropology, law, and religion. Currently, she is also interning with the Boston Public Library's EDI Department and Jewish Vocational Services (JVS). In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, figure skating, watching movies and TV shows, reading, and eating ice cream.
NATASHA ROSEMAN
Democracy Intern
Natasha (she/her) is a rising junior at Tufts University, studying International Relations and Political Science. She is passionate about civic engagement, international security, and ensuring that everyone has an equal voice in our democracy. In addition to interning at SPI this summer, she is also conducting research for the Middle East Institute on the role of Chinese private security companies in the MENA region. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing soccer, and spending time with friends and family.
YVENARLY PIERRE-LOUIS
Democracy Intern
Yvenarly (she/her) is a junior at Tufts studying Economics and Environmental Studies. Prior to joining Small Planet Institute, she canvassed for Clean Water Action and worked as an intern at Environmental Voter Project. She believes that non-profit work is essential to bringing the systemic change necessary to address the climate crisis and put communities at the center of that change. In her free time, she enjoys running, learning about different cultures, and spending time with friends and family.
