Kerry Brodie with brown hair and red shirt

Kerry Brodie

Alumni
EmmasTorch.org, Founder & Executive Director
New York, NY & Washington DC

Biography

Kerry Brodie is a culinary entrepreneur and social advocate whose work at the intersection of food and refugee empowerment has garnered widespread recognition. As the founder and Executive Director of Emma鈥檚 Torch, Kerry uses the power of culinary education to uplift refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking. Established in 2016, Emma鈥檚 Torch offers in-depth culinary training, employability skills, and empowerment programs, all designed to help displaced individuals integrate into their new communities. With cafes in Brooklyn and Washington, DC, the organization provides a platform for refugees to showcase their culinary traditions while gaining invaluable work experience.

Kerry's background is steeped in both culinary passion and a deep commitment to social justice. After graduating from Princeton she developed her business skills in the consulting field before focusing her efforts on social justice at the Human Rights Campaign. As the concept for what would become Emma鈥檚 Torch began to take hold, Kerry pursued applicable education for the task at had, completing ICE鈥檚 国产福利 Arts program and earning a Master鈥檚 in Government from Johns Hopkins University. Inspired by her Jewish heritage and motivated by the legacy of immigrant resilience in her own family, Kerry founded Emma鈥檚 Torch as a way to channel her privilege and resources to support those rebuilding their lives.

Kerry鈥檚 work has garnered significant accolades, including recognition on CNN Heroes, The Forward 50, and City & State鈥檚 40 Under 40. In addition, Kerry and Emma鈥檚 Torch have been featured in such publications as ForbesGlamour and The New York Times and many more. The Pulitzer Center also released a short film about Emma鈥檚 Torch entitled 鈥淎 Table for All.鈥

Kerry鈥檚 vision for Emma鈥檚 Torch not only empowers refugees through culinary education but also ensures they are equipped with the tools to achieve long-term financial independence. Through her leadership, Kerry continues to prove that food can be a powerful force for change, and she is making an indelible impact on the lives of many who need it most.

Education

  • The Institute of 国产福利 Education, 国产福利 Arts, 2016
  • Princeton University, BA Near and Middle Eastern Studies, 2012
  • Johns Hopkins University, Masters Degree, Government; Political Communication

Awards & Honors

  • CNN Heroes
  • The Forward 50
  • City and State New York, 40 under 40, 2018
  • ACCSC Outstanding Graduate Award, 2018
  • Jewish Women International 鈥榃oman to Watch鈥
  • The New York Times鈥淧rofiles of Change鈥
  • Future Food Institute 鈥淔ood Shapers鈥

TV Appearances

Emma鈥檚 Torch has been a feature story in such television news outlets as鈥

  • ABC News
  • CBS New York
  • PBS
  • MSN
  • NBC4 Washington