#LeadersMade: Gabi Cole

Gabi Cole, adjunct professor for Logan’s Doctorate of Health Professions Education, co-founded Fit and Food Connection in 2015. The Midwestern nonprofit organization provides healthy living resources, such as food assistance, physical fitness and nutrition education, to families in need.

“I’ve always had a passion for working with the community and giving back,” Gabi said. “When I met my co-founder Joy Millner, we made it our goal to get people healthy by any means necessary. That has meant educating individuals to help change their lives through food and fitness,as well as motivating them through lifestyle changes.”

Today, the resource-based organization has numerous collaborations and partnerships, as well as volunteers all over the world. Gabi said she looks forward to re-creating the Fit and Food Connection model in other markets as well as increasing their partnerships and donors.

“We’re always looking for more food and volunteers,” she said. “With the awareness we’ve created so far, we’re building capacity and implementing systems to be a more professional organization so we can grow and reach more people.”

The Fit and Food Connection’s annual fundraiser was held Nov. 18 at the Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis. Visit fitandfoodconnection.org for more information and to get involved.