Emily Hippensteel is a 16-year-old student from Mooresville, North Carolina, attending Lake Norman High School in Iredell County. Living with more than 15 food and environmental allergies, Emily understands firsthand the daily challenges faced by individuals and families managing allergies.

Through her volunteering with FOODiversity, Emily helps raise awareness about the importance of allergy-safe foods, advocates for food safety in schools, and supports fundraising initiatives. She also shares allergy awareness and advocacy through her social media platform, @NCAllergyGirl, highlighting businesses and nonprofit organizations working to make food safe, providing safety tips, and offering encouragement to others navigating similar experiences.

Outside of her advocacy work, Emily is a competitive dancer, musical theater performer, and voice student, training for a future career on stage. She hopes to use both her voice and her platform to create a safer, more inclusive world for those living with food allergies.