Lucas McKinnon

Experience

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  UNDMT

  Jan 2014 - Apr 2014

  Intern at Disaster Management Team

  Intern for United Nations Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) and Indian Government on coordinative efforts to support the relief, reconstruction, and resilience-building programs following the floods of June 2013. Lived as the only student intern from Seattle University's International Development Internship Program (IDIP) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand state in northern India for the entire duration, and traveled extensively into the remote hill villages of northern Uttarakhand with various NGOs - including Save the Children and CARE India - conducting ethnographic surveys, GIS mapping, and needs assessments of those affected. Show less

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  University of California, Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems

  Apr 2016 - Oct 2016

  Apprentice in Ecological Horticulture

  The Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture provides training in the concepts and practices of organic gardening and small-scale farming. This full-time program is held at the Center's 30-acre CASFS/UCSC Farm and 3-acre Alan Chadwick Garden on the UCSC campus. The Apprenticeship training program offers 300 hours of classroom instruction and 700 hours of in-field training and hands-on experience in the greenhouses, gardens, orchards, and fields. The UCSC Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems offers a Certificate in Ecological Horticulture upon successful completion of the program. Since its founding in 1967, the Apprenticeship has developed into an internationally recognized program that blends the virtues of experiential learning with traditional classroom studies. Topics covered during the six-month course include soil management, composting, pest control, crop planning, irrigation, farm equipment, marketing techniques, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) practices, farm labor issues, food policy, equity and access within the food system. Show less

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  United Nations

  Dec 2017 - Jan 2019

  Research And Development Specialist

  Research assistant of Dr. Holly Shaw, PhD RN, for her ongoing works with the UN Department of Public Information (Now the United Nations Department of Global Communications).​ ​Major projects include “Empowering Girls and Women through Innovative Nursing and Midwifery Interventions,” a joint event held at the 62nd Commission on the Status of Women.

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  IVECA International Virtual Schooling

  Aug 2018 - Aug 2019

  Global Program Facilitator

  Assistant Facilitator to the development and coordination of intercultural virtual exchange and partnership programs. Organizer of teacher training programs conferences, and facilitate intercultural communication of EFL/ESL/BIL students. Other duties include the analyzing, planning, and implementation of global development projects involving ICT-based intercultural education for developing countries with a specific focus on the education outcomes of young women.

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  Kupu

  Aug 2019 - Aug 2020

  Environmental Educator, AmeriCorps Member

  Environmental Education Leader working in public high schools on Oahu. I specialized in agroecological production, food systems, and sustainable development. I worked with multiple site managers in order to develop curriculum, conduct research, and manage work-based learning internships.

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  Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice

  Jun 2020 - Aug 2020

  Policy Research Intern

  Policy research intern for Hawai’ Appleseed’s Anti Hunger Initiatives (“Farm to Family” Campaign), Lawyers for Equal Justice (Early Inmate Release project), and their Hawai‘i Budget & Policy Center (Social Determinants of Health).

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  County of Hawaii

  Sept 2020 - May 2021

  Food Systems Project Coordinator

  As Food Systems Project Coordinator, I work with Hawaii County to help ensure ALICE and low-income communities gain access to the services and support needed to overcome the cycle of poverty. I assist with capacity building to alleviate hunger by advancing food education and increasing access to nutritious food for the rural, culturally diverse communities of Hawaii, particularly for the most vulnerable populations. Specifically, my role entails: 1) Supporting the alignment and integration of the Food System Action Plan with the Climate Action Plan and Community Development Plan Action committees, and 2) Building capacity and knowledge within underserved communities on how to increase food resilience by working with the Food Access Coordinator to support and leverage community networks. Show less

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  UNDP

  Apr 2021 - Jun 2021

  Research Fellow

  Gallatin Human Rights Research Fellow at the UNDP Accelerator Lab in Asuncion, Paraguay focusing on indigenous rights, food sovereignty, preventive global public health, women's land rights and social innovation.

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  Pacific Gateway Center

  Oct 2021 - Apr 2022

  Project Manager

  Responsible for helping design, operationalize and implement a comprehensive support program for PGC farmers and value-added good clients to improve their marketability, increase sales, and improve overall profitability of their businesses through business and financial planning, training and certification, market access programs, and improved infrastructure. Working in close collaboration with PGC’s network of expert partners, existing Farm Manager, Culinary Business Incubator Coordinator, Hawaii Language Bank (HLB) Program Coordinator, and broader SEP Team to deliver culturally-appropriate programming and provide 1:1 business coaching and case management for clients. Show less

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  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  Apr 2022 - Jul 2022

  Public Health Advisor
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  Office of Economic Revitalization

  Jul 2022 - Jan 2024

  Food Access and Equity Specialist
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  Hawaiʻi Good Food Alliance

  Aug 2023 - now

  Managing Director