Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization, today named Linda Nageotte as its new president and chief operating officer. Nageotte brings 30 years of experience fighting hunger, including 25 years in her current role as CEO of Food Lifeline in Seattle, a member of the Feeding America national network of food banks, state associations, pantries and meal programs.
“Linda has a proven track record of commitment and fidelity to the health of the Feeding America network,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, Feeding America chief executive officer. “She brings extraordinary insight and expertise, having served decades as a food banker and helping to lead national and regional collaborations in the Feeding America network. We are also excited for Linda to bring her experience in building and investing in systems rooted in equity to the national organization.”
In her new role at Feeding America, Nageotte will help define and implement strategy for the organization, co-lead work to design a new strategic framework for the entire network and oversee a critical portfolio including sourcing and supplying food, network relations, technology, research and innovation and board governance.
“I am so excited to be stepping into the role of president and chief operating officer at Feeding America,” said Nageotte. “It is an incredible time for this network to be engaged together in the movement to end hunger, and for each member to be able to pursue their mission meaningfully in their community. I look forward to partnering with all members as we co-create our next strategic framework to harness the power of this network in partnership with people facing hunger.”
During her 25 years with Food Lifeline, Nageotte has led the organization as it grew from distributing 8 million pounds of food annually to more than 70 million pounds in 2022, while also addressing the root causes of hunger and food insecurity. In 2012, Feeding America named Nageotte as a John van Hengel Fellow, which recognizes a network food bank executive for excellence in leadership, local impact and national influence, and entrepreneurial spirit in hunger relief. Feeding America also recognized her as the executive director of the year in 2010.
Prior to Food Lifeline, Nageotte served as the executive director for Harvest Against Hunger and Soujourner’s Alliance. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and completed graduate coursework in counseling at Washington State University.
Nageotte will begin her new position in November and will be based in the organization’s Chicago office.
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About Feeding America
Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, we helped provide 5.3 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; brings attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our nation; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on X.com.