As the Director of Policy and Advocacy, Beverly develops and implements OFS’s policy platform aimed at addressing long-term solutions to the problem of hunger. She oversees government and community relations, grassroots advocacy, policy research, and other relevant research studies designed to decrease child hunger and family food insecurity in Missouri. She and her team utilize evidence-based best practices in accordance with Independent Review Board protocols to ensure the Policy and Advocacy department delivers on its goals.

Isom is a communications professional with decades of experience as a leader in both corporate and government communications. Prior to joining OFS, she was a managing supervisor at Fleishman-Hillard and worked on digital transformation teams at Nestle Purina and Monsanto. She has also served as a communications professional for the City of Atlanta, Georgia, the Greater Atlanta United Way, FEMA and the CDC in Atlanta. Beverly served as communications director for the 2012 re-election campaign of civil rights pioneer John Lewis to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Beverly studied Journalism at the University of Missouri. She is a commissioner for the Regional Arts Commission and a Neighborhood Leadership Fellow. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., served as a City of St. Louis 27^th Ward Voter Empowerment Chair, and was involved with Ashrei Foundation North City Photo ID Project aimed at helping unhoused and others attain photo IDs and voter registration.

Beverly is likely the first competitive sabre fencer at OFS and is an avid roller skater; however, she does not do them at the same time. She is the oldest and only girl in a family of four – which resulted in being outbid on what everyone watched on television growing up often acquiescing to Speed Racer and NCAA Men’s Basketball.

From Beverly

“As a child who grew up in under-served communities, I recognize the importance of food insecurity in the cycle of the quality of life for poor families. It is essential to the health and well-being of families that we educate and work toward innovative solutions to this key pillar of our community foundation.”