Our Staff & Board

Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director

Emily Weikert Bryant is the Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, the network of Feeding America food banks in the state of Indiana.

Prior to joining the organization in 2009, Ms. Bryant gained ten years of experience in various aspects of the state legislative process, workings of various state offices, and state level policy work. She spent nine legislative sessions between 2002 and 2009 providing policy development and legal counsel to the Indiana Senate Minority Caucus. She has also worked in Indiana state government, at the former Indiana Department of Commerce and at several agencies while serving as an Indiana Governor’s Fellow.

Ms. Bryant holds a Bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Evansville in History and Political Science, and a Juris Doctorate from Indiana University. She hails from Jasper, Indiana, and currently lives in Indianapolis with her husband, daughter and son.

Mindi Dillinger, Director of Food Policy and Programs

Mindi Dillinger has over thirty years of experience in various aspects of social work including advocacy and lobbying, program development and implementation, data management, and research. Ms. Dillinger has worked at local, state, and national levels to help children and families get the resources that they need, talk to legislators about the issues that impact them and their families, and help education all members on how to advocate effectively. Ms. Dillinger got her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania and her Master’s degree in Social Work from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She has lived in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Indiana. She currently lives in Whitestown with her husband. She has two children and two step children.

Erik Barnett, Director of Food and Health Initiatives

Prior to joining the organization, Erik spent his past five years with Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana helping neighbors through programming in Marion County and building strong community partnerships on behalf of the food bank. Erik is dedicated to ensuring every Hoosier has access to the food they need to be healthy. He currently serves on the board of Southeast Community Services and holds degrees in Political Science and Civic Leadership from Indiana University.

Erik is a lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Indiana. He lives in the Fountain Square neighborhood along with his wife, son, and two daughters.

Ben Redar, Development Manager

Ben Redar serves as the Development Manager for Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, supporting the network of Feeding America food banks across the state through donor engagement and strategic fundraising. His work centers on expanding philanthropic partnerships and strengthening development efforts that sustain hunger-relief services for Hoosiers.

Prior to joining the organization, Ben worked in nonprofit and higher-education settings, with experience in writing, community outreach, and program support. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from Indiana University Bloomington and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Indianapolis. Ben lives in Indianapolis and remains active in writing and education.