New Orleans, Louisiana—The Link Stryjewski Foundation, a non-profit organization created by Chefs Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski to address the persistent cycle of violence and poverty, as well as the lack of quality education and job training opportunities available to young people in our city, has announced the recent hiring of Emery Van Hook Sonnier as the Executive Director. Sonnier’s resume includes 18 years of operations, programming, advocacy, and communications and marketing experience in both the private and non-profit sectors.
“We are pleased to announce this appointment,” states Link. “Emery grew up in New Orleans and possesses a deep sense of commitment to our community. Her strong leadership record and breadth of perspective and experience will help us grow our funding and increase awareness of our mission.”
Sonnier most recently served as Associate Director of Market Umbrella, and has over eight years of non-profit experience with the 501(c)3 organization that operates four Crescent City Farmers Market locations. She began her career at Dickie Brennan & Co., working her way up to Co-Director of Marketing. Sonnier then worked for Food & Wine magazine as an Assistant Research Editor while earning her Masters in Food Studies from New York University. She returned to New Orleans in 2008 and joined Market Umbrella as Director of Markets. Sonnier holds a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN.
Sonnier’s strong ties to the community include serving on the New Orleans Food Policy Advisory Committee, the Fit NOLA Steering Committee, the Preservation Resource Center Holiday Home Tour Committee, and the Advisory Council for Louisiana Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education.
More information about the Bal Masqué and the Link Stryjewski Foundation can be found at www.balmasque.linkstryjewski.org
Chefs Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski created the Link Stryjewski Foundation to address the persistent cycle of violence and poverty, as well as the lack of quality education and job training opportunities available to young people in New Orleans. The Link Stryjewski Foundation will provide support to organizations that directly work to end this cycle. The mission of the Link Stryjewski Foundation is to help nourish and educate the youth of New Orleans, allowing them to realize their potential and become active positive members of our community. For more information about the Link Stryjewski Foundation and its beneficiaries, visit www.linkstryjewski.org.