Big News! F.E.A.S.T. Has A New Executive Director

By Judy Krasna, F.E.A.S.T. Executive Director

Today is a big day for me. My appointment as F.E.A.S.T.’s new Executive Director was announced to the public, so it’s official!

Never in a million years would I have guessed that I would be in this position. Fifteen years ago, I didn’t know anything about eating disorders. I was a busy mother of four who decided to leave a career in marketing writing and start an event planning business with a friend. Today, I am an expert by experience who has spent the last decade helping and supporting other families in a multitude of capacities. I have taken on key leadership roles at F.E.A.S.T. over the past few years. Through my work in the Academy for Eating Disorders and my advocacy in Israel, where I live, I have wedged my way into spaces that were traditionally reserved for clinicians and researchers, and I have used my voice to try and effect much needed change. I am not built to back down from challenge; which is good, because I accepted an extremely challenging job!

I will be sharing my vision for the future of F.E.A.S.T. with our parent community in the coming weeks. I am passionately committed to F.E.A.S.T.’s mission, goals, and principles, and I am excited about the path ahead that will lead F.E.A.S.T. to increased sustainability, greater impact, and new accomplishments.

I am extremely fortunate to be working with such a dynamic, energetic, and thoughtful Board of Directors. F.E.A.S.T. is truly lucky to have you, and so am I.

There are no words to express my profound gratitude to F.E.A.S.T. founder and outgoing Executive Director, Laura Collins Lyster-Mensh. Laura has been my staunchest supporter and the greatest driver behind all of my accomplishments in the eating disorders sphere. I am stepping in as Executive Director standing on her shoulders. She has blazed a path for me and for so many others. I am so grateful to have Laura as my mentor and my friend.

I accepted this position to honor the memory of my daughter, Gavriella, who bravely fought her eating disorder for 13 years, and who lost her battle last June. I know that there are people who expected me to take a step back from this work now that she is gone, but I am going to continue doing the work that is so meaningful to me, that can help so many families around the world, and that I am proficient at performing.

Working for the organization that I am already so deeply invested in, within a community that already occupies a special place in my heart, is a true privilege. I sincerely can’t wait to get started. My figurative door is always open, my contact info can be found here. Please feel free to be in touch, I’d love to hear from you!