The Johnson Institute for Responsible Leaderships Exemplary Leader Award recognizes individuals who are committed to the highest standards of professional leadership, integrity, accountability, and stewardship. This year, we will honor Leah Lizarondo and Gisele Barreto Fetterman with the Exemplary Leader Award.

Through their individual leadership as well as their collaboration on 412 Food Rescue, these two remarkable women demonstrate a deep commitment to social justice and serving vulnerable populations as well as the power of innovative thinking to meet critical social challenges.

LEAH LIZARONDO is CEO and founder of Food Rescue Hero and CEO and co-founder of 412 Food Rescue. Through innovative technology, both organizations work to fight hunger and promote sustainability by preventing perfectly good food from entering the waste stream and directly distributing to organizations and individuals who are experiencing food insecurity. The Food Rescue Hero platform has facilitated the recovery of over 40 million pounds of food from going to waste via technology that mobilizes over 20,000 drivers in 12 cities across North America. Lizarondos work in food recovery has been featured in NPR, Fast Company, The Washington Post, Food Wine, Marie Claire, and Bust Magazine. Lizarondo has received numerous recognitions and awards, and she was named a CES Innovation Honoree. Born and raised in the Philippines, Lizarondo received her graduate degree in Public Policy Technology from Carnegie Mellon University.

GISELE BARRETO FETTERMAN is an access and equity advocate, a hugger, and the Second Lady of Pennsylvania. She is the founder of Freestore 15104, where surplus and donated goods are received and redistributed to neighbors in need. The Freestore aims to eradicate food and clothing insecurity and has inspired spin off locations and the birth of 412 Food Rescue. She is co-founder of For Good PGH, a non-profit that works to advocate inclusion and inspire kindness. Barreto Fetterman was named a CES Innovation Honoree and has received numerous recognitions and awards. She was born in Brazil and emigrated as a child to the United States, living as an undocumented immigrant for over a decade. Her work has been featured on the TODAY Show, CNN, NPR and more.

Read more about our awardees 

Read case studies produced by faculty and students about past award winners