COALITION MEMBERS

Wanda Gibson Best is a connector of resources. Wanda is the Executive Director of the Upton Planning Committee. This position allows her to use many of skills learned throughout her career. Her grassroots community organizing began at an early age in the South Carolina 4-H Extension Programs while representing the State of South Carolina across the Country in leadership roles. Wanda graduated from South Carolina State University with a BS degree in Foods and Nutrition and with a triple minor in Biology, Chemistry, and Business. She furthered her education with a master’s degree in Public Administration. Wanda worked as a Dietician in a comprehensive health center in Charleston, SC and the remote islands. There she managed and delivered direct services to the Women Infant and Children Program, Home Health Program, and Migrant Camp Nutrition Program. Wanda was the manager of the food production department of a medical university hospital which included two satellite hospitals. There she supervised 65 employees that produced 8000 meals per day. Wanda worked for USDA for more than twenty years as the program analyst for a five-million-dollar federal food safety and quality program of the US land grant system. She has had a career centered around public health and economics. Wanda has maintained her dietician license for thirty years and continues to practice as a Nutritionist and Dietician.