Florence Simpson is deputy director for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). She started working for the district in 2004 after twenty-plus years of experience in college foodservice and the private restaurant industry. She brings a broad spectrum of knowledge and technical expertise to the LAUSD leadership team, including menu development, procurement, operations, facility design and construction, and program oversight. LAUSD operates the largest School Breakfast Program and second-largest National School Lunch Program in the United States, servicing more than 695 cafes, 89 Early Education Centers, and 100+ off-site programs daily. She recently completed her Master of Business Administration, earned her school nutrition specialist (SNS) credential, and proudly serves on the executive board of the Urban School Food Alliance (USFA). She is finishing her second term as the board secretary, representing LAUSD and the USFA, and advocates for the health and well-being of students across the nation. She has a passion for child nutrition and feels the best part of her job is working throughout the district with team members to support Café LA’s mission of "nourishing students to achieve excellence." (Los Angeles, CA)