The people behind the program
HVP is led by a small team of founders, operators, and advisors working alongside the teachers, students, and community partners who make each install happen.
Kai Fogelson
Kai founded HVP in 2022 as a freshman at Walter Payton College Prep. He studies business at the University of Michigan with minors in sustainability and philosophy, and was named the inaugural Pilot Light Young Changemaker in 2024. He started HVP from a simple belief: food is a universal language. Outside the work, he’s usually cooking, traveling, or spending time with family and friends.
Vice Presidents and officers
Nimay Piparia
Liam Flood
Ernest Gontarz
Functional area leads
Eight functional leads who run HVP's day-to-day operations.
Amelia Wang
Declan Parker
Nicole Volkov
Jay Gillman
Alex Ford
Eli Flood
Matilda Yankellow
