Featured Leader: Megan Govindan
This month’s FSLN Featured Leader is Megan Govindan, who we first connected with during the FSLN’s Institutional Investment Accelerator, which we hosted from 2021-2022. Megan is a deeply passionate and committed food systems leader and outdoor enthusiast from West Virginia – we hope you enjoy getting to know her in this piece!
About Megan: Dr. Megan is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with over twenty years of experience in the Academy. She is a four-time graduate of West Virginia University and the first woman of Color to be elected President of the West Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has received numerous awards at the national and state level, related to leadership, nutrition and dietetics, food system development and public health. She is a board member of the West Virginia Farmers Market Association, and her research portfolio includes over 9 M in competitive grant funding focused on food system development.
On Leadership & Learning
Who are you? (beyond the job title!)
I am a proud Bolivian, Indian woman who is a first-generation West Virginian and a second generation health care practitioner in this great state. I am an interdisciplinary food system practitioner and I am of Appalachia.
What inspired you to get involved in food systems work?
My Abuelito was a Bolivian agronomist farmer who was imprisoned when our family was forced off of the land we stewarded with our community.
Is there someone who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you, or someone you look up to. Why and how has this person impacted your life?
There have been many individuals who have contributed to my development, challenging me to be the best version of myself, but nature remains my greatest and most steadfast teacher – demanding that I stay at the edge of my practice, a place that demands my full attention.
Something not many of your colleagues know about you or that we wouldn’t expect?
I do not see myself as a leader.
What does food systems leadership mean to you?
To me, food systems leadership means using your voice to bring attention to the interconnectedness between humans and our environment, and using your actions to bring accountability to heal, restore and nurture these relationships.
What’s your greatest leadership challenge now? What support would be meaningful from this network?
Communication in environments of resource scarcity and shifting mindsets to abundance is always a challenge. Our troubles are as deep as they are wide. There are always inevitable tensions and miscommunications that arise, and organizing the time and space to hear, reflect, and act is critical. Understanding more perspectives from the FSLN helps to find greater alignments and yield ground truths.
What are you most excited about in your work?
I’m most excited about what we can accomplish together, and how we are showing up for each other. I’m inspired by rural communities organizing for racial justice. I am motivated by our grassroots leaders working to shift the discourse surrounding Appalachia and mountain farming, such as Crystal Good, founder Black by God the West Virginian, and Jason Tartt with Economic Development of the Greater East (EDGE).
We’d love to hear about your involvement with the FSLN! What’s been one experience that sticks out to you, and how has this impacted you?
I was blessed with the opportunity to lead a cross sector team of food system practitioners as part of the Institutional Investment Accelerator. This challenged me to step into my identity as a Woman of Color and amplify parts of myself I have been conditioned to make small. It was transformative for myself, and for the shared work in my community. By being the best version of myself, I found and contributed to support systems that I didn’t even know existed.
Dreams for a new way forward
When you imagine an equitable and anti-racist food system, what do you envision?
Equity is not compromised for efficiency as our lands are stewarded to cultivate sustainable, resilient healthy food and water systems.
What is one action step food systems leaders can take to work towards a more just and equitable food system?
Join the FSLN and learn from our shared community. As we align our shared values and de-silo our communication, the solutions to transformative change become more apparent.
Keeping it real
Let’s talk burnout, it’s a thing – and social change is a long game. How do you balance taking care of yourself with your working commitments?
I take to the woods, early and often. It reminds me how small I am and how much every step and action continues to have an impact. A day in the country is worth a month in town.
Reflecting on your time in food systems development, what is one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started out?
Leave imposter syndrome for the imposters. You are worth your salt.
Any words of encouragement or advice to share with your fellow food systems leaders?
We make the path by walking, and you are never walking alone.
These words you share are as powerful and beautiful as you, Megan! Deep gratitude for you, all you have brought and will bring to WV! You are the light and the change that will soon be felt in our All-Appalachian WV beloved communities <3