Strategic Initiatives Intern

About the Organization:

It is an exciting time at the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) as we continue to undertake our mission. We know that creating long-term solutions to food security requires more than meals. It requires education, training, and collaboration. We are seeking people with strong ideas and a passion to come together to address the complex interrelated issues of food security, poverty, and equity. We are expanding in multiple ways: providing food for today and addressing the root causes of hunger by partnering with organizations that provide critical services like job training programs, health care and education. Food has the power to transform lives and move everyone forward. Find out how on our website at capitalareafoodbank.org. Let us discuss how food is at the center of everyone's healthy life!

Description:

The Strategic Initiatives Intern will play a key role in advancing the Capital Area Food Bank’s innovation and systems-change priorities, with a particular emphasis on strengthening the organization’s Food Is Medicine (FIM) strategy and communications.

Working under the Strategic Initiatives Manager, the intern will conduct research to inform FIM pitches and partnership development, create slide decks and presentation materials for both internal and external audiences, and help identify trends and emerging opportunities across the healthcare and food security sectors.

In addition to this FIM-focused work, the intern will support development of a new hunger lifeline chatbot powered by artificial intelligence. This will include participating in brainstorming and development meetings, helping define the chatbot’s role and scope, managing project timelines, and leading weekly check-ins to troubleshoot development challenges.

This internship offers hands-on experience at the intersection of food security, healthcare innovation, and applied research, while building skills in research synthesis, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional coordination.

Essential Functions:

Support Food is Medicine Strategy and Communications (50%)

• Conduct research to inform Food is Medicine pitches and strategic partnerships.
• Develop slide decks and presentation materials to support discussions with internal decision makers and outreach to external healthcare stakeholders.
• Assist in identifying trends, best practices, and partnership opportunities in the healthcare and food security sectors.

Assist with Emerging Strategic Initiatives (50%)

• Support early planning and research for a hunger lifeline chatbot utilizing artificial intelligence.
• Participate in brainstorming and development meetings to help define the chatbot’s role, features, and scope.
• Project manage chatbot development, ensuring development is on track to meet goals aligned on with key stakeholders.
• Lead weekly check-ins to problem solve any challenges that arise each week with development.

Requirements:

• Current enrollment in or recent completion of an undergraduate or graduate program in public health, public policy, social sciences, business, or a related field.
• Ability to engage respectfully with individuals and communities from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated interest in social impact, food systems, healthcare innovation, and/or public policy.
• A strong commitment to the mission of the Capital Area Food Bank.