Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, is delighted to welcome Rajesh Mirchandani as chief communications & community engagement officer.
In this new position, Mirchandani will play a leading role in the organization’s efforts to galvanize a broad movement to end hunger in America, position Feeding America and the people it serves as thought leaders on issues related to food insecurity, and promote community engagement across the country, across communities, and across sectors to support its mission to end hunger in America. Mirchandani and his team will also be responsible for cultivating influential voices who can extend Feeding America’s reach and impact, by overseeing neighbor engagement, advocacy and building deep partnerships with communities disproportionately experiencing food insecurity. Additionally, Mirchandani and his team will work closely and collaboratively with Feeding America’s government relations, equity and marketing teams, to help ensure that the organization’s messages and storytelling continuously connect and resonate with new and varied audiences.
“Rajesh Mirchandani is a seasoned communicator and strategist, with global and national perspectives and a passion for the issue of food insecurity. He will work to understand the challenges that our neighbors have had to overcome and knows firsthand the importance of shining a light on them and the impact that creating awareness can have,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “He has also seen the extraordinary triumph that can be unlocked when people work together. I’m confident he will elevate our work ensuring equitable access to nutritious food for children, adults, and families.”
Mirchandani comes to Feeding America from the United Nations (UN) Foundation, an independent non-profit set up to support the UN and its priority issues. There, Mirchandani acted as senior adviser to the executive office, and as chief communications officer, leading a team of skilled professionals in building award-winning campaigns, and communities to amplify and galvanize cross-sectoral support for the UN’s work to create a more peaceful, sustainable world, free of hunger, poverty, and inequality.
Before working at the UN Foundation, Mirchandani spent more than 20 years in journalism as a global correspondent, news anchor and host for the BBC, including six years in the U.S. In that time, he covered a wide range of stories and issues, including two U.S. Presidential elections, the 2008-09 Great Recession, the Oscars, the earthquake in Haiti, and many stories of food insecurity and poverty around the world. He also ran communications for the influential Washington, D.C. think tank, Center for Global Development.
“Too many people are stuck in a vicious cycle of poverty, hunger, and inequality as a result of many factors – the pandemic, inflation, global conflict and more,” said Mirchandani. “At this critical time, I am honored to do what I can to help the many people experiencing food insecurity and innovating to strengthen their communities."
Mirchandani also is the creator and host of the podcast Finding Our Flavor about food and identity. He holds a Bachelor of Science in economics from Bristol University, a Postgraduate Diploma in broadcast journalism from Cardiff University and a Master of Arts in public diplomacy from University of Southern California.
Mirchandani will be based in the organization's Washington DC office, with regular trips to the Chicago headquarters and to meet Feeding America member food banks all over the country.
Contact
Please contact one of our media representatives or call 800-771-2303
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 Twitter.
