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(From Mainebiz) – Kristen Miale, who has guided the Good Shepherd Food Bank for more than a decade, is stepping down as the President of the nonprofit on June 30.
Miale has led the food bank since 2012, and, mostly under her watch, Good Shepherd has been instrumental in raising money and raising awareness about food-insecurity in Maine. In just over a decade, the food bank has nearly tripled the food distributed—from 10.7 million meals in 2010 to 29 million meals last year, with a focus on improving access to nutritious and culturally relevant foods.
Good Shepherd is now leading a $250 million Campaign to End Hunger in Maine and continues to support its partners through innovation grants, distributing $4.2 million last year alone.
“Good Shepherd Food Bank is incredibly fortunate to have had Kristen at the helm for such a long period of time,” said Ben Sprague, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Kristen and her leadership team have brought ending hunger to the forefront in Maine and have elevated the organization’s reach and impact in terms of closing Maine’s meal gap and addressing the root causes of hunger.”
During Miale’s tenure, the Bangor-based organization has expanded its network of partner organizations to better understand the unique needs of Maine’s locales. The food bank has also expanded its advocacy efforts, sought solutions to address the root causes of food insecurity, and given a voice to those most impacted by hunger.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done over the past ten years,” Miale said. “We have shifted the organization’s focus from simply distributing surplus food to improving access to nutritious and culturally relevant food and from talking about hunger as an individual issue to acknowledging that hunger is rooted in systemic inequities and injustices that cause and perpetuate poverty.
“I have learned so much from this experience and the people with whom I’ve had the privilege of working.”
Miale said she is exploring opportunities for the future as she believes now is the right time for her to hand over the reins of the Food Bank to a new leader.
“The food bank has never been in a stronger position in terms of partners, resources, staff and board leadership,” Miale said. “At the same time, the organization is in the midst of strategic planning for the future, and it’s the right time for a new leader to step in to join our team, partners and communities, and help guide the food bank as it continues its mission of ending hunger in Maine.”
The board of directors has embarked on a nationwide search to fill the role of president.
“While it will be hard to see such a talented leader and passionate visionary leave the organization in June, we are excited for Kristen as she explores what is next for her career,” Sprague said. “The talent of the team here and the exceptional partnerships we’ve established ..will make this a very attractive position for a person who has a passion for ending hunger in Maine.”