The CEO of ESSL

Chandra Hawkins is the Founder and CEO of ESSL Pantry, a national nonprofit dedicated to ensuring children and families across the United States have access to breakfast when school meals are unavailable.

Driven by a lifelong passion for serving others, Chandra has successfully founded and managed more than four nonprofit initiatives, each focused on meeting critical community needs. Her work has included feeding individuals experiencing homelessness, providing free family photography sessions for low-income families, supplying laptops to mothers seeking to return to school or secure work-from-home employment, and now leading a nationwide cereal pantry that serves families throughout the United States.

Through her leadership, innovation, and heart for service, Chandra has built programs that remove barriers and create opportunities for families to thrive. She believes that meeting practical needs with dignity can transform lives and strengthen communities.

Beyond her nonprofit work, Chandra is a digital creator, entrepreneur, and advocate who uses her platform to inspire others through authenticity, humor, and compassion. She is committed to proving that one person’s willingness to serve can create a ripple effect of hope across the country.