In January 2026, Michael Watt was appointed Chief Impact & Operating Officer (CIOO) of the Maryland Food Bank (MFB). Watt brings more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience, having led large-scale programs and operations across Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. Throughout his career, he has overseen teams of more than 500, managed annual budgets exceeding $100 million, and directed the implementation of more than $750 million in donor-funded initiatives spanning humanitarian assistance, health, agriculture, livelihoods, climate change, civil society strengthening, and conflict transformation.

At the Maryland Food Bank, Watt oversees Community Programs, Facilities, Neighbor Engagement, Operations, and the Strategy Group, helping strengthen cross-department collaboration and advance MFB’s mission as it continues expanding its statewide impact and addressing the root causes of hunger.

The original announcement can be found on the Baltimore Business Journal website here.