About Gleaners Community Food Bank
For nearly 50 years, Gleaners Community Food Bank (“Gleaners”) has been a cornerstone of the supplemental and emergency food network, innovating solutions for households facing hunger in Southeast Michigan. Founded in 1977 by Gene Gonya, Gleaners was among the first food banks in the United States and has been recognized by Feeding America as a Food Bank of the Year. Gleaners has earned a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator and Platinum status from Guidestar for its effective board governance, transparency, and dedication to stewarding resources entrusted by supporters. Today, Gleaners remains unwavering in its mission: To provide households with access to sufficient, nutritious food and related resources through collaboration, efficient operations, education, and innovative solutions.
Serving the greater Detroit area, including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, and Monroe counties, Gleaners works with nearly 350 community partner agencies—including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and schools—to reach neighbors experiencing food insecurity. With the support of this robust network, along with direct-service mobile food distributions, Gleaners ensures that nutritious food reaches people where and when they need it most, to eliminate trade-offs so families, children, seniors and others can thrive.
Gleaners’ work is grounded in a set of core beliefs:
- Hunger can be solved.
- "Child" and "hunger" should never go together.
- Everyone benefits from a hunger-free community.
- Real change requires courage and collaboration.
- Every person deserves dignity.
- Good data leads to better decisions.
Food Insecurity in Southeast Michigan More than 47 million Americans struggle with food insecurity. The need for food in our communities has escalated, first with the soaring immediate need resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and then again when pandemic-era programs were discontinued, just as inflation, soaring food costs, and reduced federal assistance took over, exhausting household budgets and resources.
Food insecurity affects over 600,000 people across Gleaners’ five-county service area, with 68% of those served living at or below the poverty line. While food insecurity can vary in its intensity, hunger does not have a face or a zip code and can happen to anyone at any time, making the food safety net a vital lifeline in our communities.
Innovation & Impact
Through a combination of cutting-edge technologies, efficient operations, and strong community partnerships, Gleaners has become a model for effective hunger relief. With decades of operational refinement and community engagement, Gleaners leverages:
- State-of-the-Art Distribution: Operating from advanced distribution centers in Wayne and Livingston counties, Gleaners safely and efficiently handles large volumes of donated and purchased food, including fresh produce and milk, minimizing waste and maximizing impact. Gleaners will also soon open Fresh! By Gleaners, which will include in-store ‘shopping’ and order-ahead curbside pick-up options for community members.
- Mobile Food Distribution: Operating five days a week in rotating locations, Gleaners' direct-service drive-up sites provide balanced nutrition—no appointment necessary—ensuring equitable access across the region.
- Partner Support & Capacity Building: Gleaners helps food pantries and service organizations stretch limited resources, enabling them to better serve their communities.
- Education & Empowerment: Through food programs and community education, Gleaners helps households build long-term food security and resilience.
In 2024, the impact of this work resulted in the distribution of over 53 million pounds of food, including 18 million pounds of fresh produce and over 860,000 gallons of milk – reaching over 1 million households. Beyond the numbers, Gleaners uses its Household Impact Model to guide decision-making and success by determining the operations and programs providing the greatest impact toward economic benefit, stability, health and empowerment for households across Southeast Michigan.
Looking Ahead: A Vision to End Hunger
Gleaners’ vision is bold and clear: To end hunger in Southeast Michigan. To achieve this, the organization is pursuing a strategic path focused on long-term solutions and sustainable impact:
- Meeting People Where They Are: Eliminating barriers to access by designing programs responsive to the lived experiences of food-insecure households.
- Fostering Innovation: Leveraging data and partnerships to continuously refine programming and explore new models of food security.
- Partnering for Greater Impact: Collaborating with healthcare, government, education, and business sectors to align goals and resources.
- Optimizing People Power: Building a diverse, inclusive culture internally and externally, and mobilizing volunteers as essential changemakers.
- Scaling Solutions That Work: Strengthening infrastructure and inviting large-scale investment to ensure the region’s hunger relief system can meet the full scope of community needs.
As Gleaners pursues this strategic vision, they are guided by their core values:
- Innovation: Food insecurity is a solvable problem, and the team makes its best effort to bring forward new ideas to improve systems and respond to community needs.
- Compassion & Respect: Solving food insecurity requires a deep understanding of the community and a dignified approach to work with all stakeholders.
- Excellence & Grit: The team holds themselves accountable to high standards, and remains nimble to changing community needs.
- Integrity: The Gleaners team is transparent, reliable, and trustworthy in all aspects of their work.
As Gleaners enters its next chapter, it does so with deep experience, a trusted reputation, and a commitment to innovation and equity. By empowering individuals and collaborating across sectors, Gleaners is not just feeding people today—it’s laying the foundation for a hunger-free tomorrow.
Learn more about Gleaners Community Food Bank at https://www.gcfb.org/.
The Opportunity
In 2025, Gleaners Community Food Bank will welcome its next leader as part of a planned succession for current President & CEO, Gerry Brisson, who has led the organization for 11 years.
This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic and values-aligned leader to guide a nationally respected food bank through its next chapter—building on nearly five decades of impact while addressing the growing and evolving needs of communities across Southeast Michigan.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President & CEO will be responsible for Gleaners’ strategic vision, oversee its ~$100M annual budget, and lead a dedicated team of 120 employees, including five direct reports (Chief Development Officer; Chief Financial Officer; Chief Operating Officer; VP, Administration; and VP, Community Engagement).
The new President & CEO will join Gleaners at a time of strength and opportunity. With a strong financial position and operational foundation, the upcoming opening of the innovative Fresh! by Gleaners market, a robust network of supporters, and a clear strategic framework in place, the organization is well-positioned to deepen its impact. At the same time, the President & CEO will be charged with navigating a dynamic funding and policy landscape and advancing scalable, sustainable solutions to food insecurity.
Key responsibilities of the President & CEO include, but are not limited to:
- Strategic Leadership and Vision: Championing Gleaners’ mission and strategic priorities, setting and communicating a compelling vision for the future, and ensuring continued innovation, impact, and responsiveness to community needs.
- Organizational and Team Leadership: Leading, inspiring, and motivating a talented, mission-driven staff and fostering a strong internal culture rooted in collaboration, equity, and accountability.
- Fundraising and External Relations: Serving as the organization’s primary ambassador; cultivating strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders including Feeding America and its affiliates, the Food Bank Council of Michigan, donors, corporate partners, community organizations, and others, effectively telling Gleaners’ story to inspire investment and partnership.
- Advocacy and Policy Engagement: Engaging with local, state, and national policymakers and coalitions to advance hunger-related policy priorities and secure public support for food security solutions.
- Operational and Financial Management: Overseeing a large and complex organization, ensuring long-term financial sustainability and operational excellence.
- Board Partnership and Governance: Building a strong partnership with the Board of Directors; ensuring strategic alignment, clear communication, and sound governance practices.
- Equity and Community Engagement: Demonstrating a deep commitment to equity and inclusion internally and externally; ensuring that Gleaners’ programs are grounded in the lived experiences of the communities served.
Candidate Profile
While it is understood that no candidate will offer every desired skill, quality, and characteristic, the following offers a detailed, aspirational view of the ideal candidate profile:
A Strategic, Visionary, & Nimble Leader
- A forward-looking strategist who can translate mission and data into clear action.
- Skilled in leading through change, especially during times of ambiguity.
- Committed to innovation and thoughtful risk-taking in support of Gleaners’ meeting its mission, with the judgment to balance boldness with sustainability.
A Strong Fundraiser & Ambassador
- A compelling communicator and genuine ambassador for the mission.
- Politically astute and comfortable advocating at the local, state, and national levels.
- A seasoned, relationship-based fundraiser with experience in donor strategy and stewardship.
- Able to engage with a wide range of external stakeholders, from policymakers to corporate and philanthropic leaders.
Operational & Financial Acumen
- A strong understanding of finance, budgeting, and resource management to ensure fiscal sustainability.
- Able to navigate complex operations, ideally with experience in food banking, large-scale nonprofits, or similarly complex organizations.
- Adept at using analytics and data to drive continuous improvement and strategy.
- Brings a mindset of accountability and excellence across all levels of the organization.
A Strong People Leader & Culture Builder
- Emotionally intelligent, collaborative, inspiring, and empowering people leader who leads by example.
- Capable of bringing together a diverse team in meaningful ways, inspiring a shared commitment to the work and mission.
- Committed to equity, inclusion, and creating a culture of belonging.
- Reflective, humble leader who listens deeply and communicates with transparency.
Mission Alignment & Community Connection
- Deep alignment with Gleaners’ mission and values.
- Knowledge of or commitment to learning about Southeast Michigan and its diverse communities.
- Grit, humility, and a relentless drive to end hunger in Southeast Michigan in a way that honors the dignity and potential of every person served.
- Integrity, authenticity, and an unwavering belief in Gleaners’ work, inspiring action across diverse stakeholders.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation for this role is expected to range from $250,000 to $300,000, with additional potential for a performance-based bonus. Final compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience. The position also includes a comprehensive benefits package.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Cheryl Stevens and Claire Hunt. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
+++++++
Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan is committed to a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment where all team members, volunteers, leaders, board members, and guests feel respected and valued regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, education, or any other identity.
Gleaners is committed to being nondiscriminatory and providing equal opportunities for employment, volunteering, and advancement in all areas of its work.
Gleaners respects the value that diverse life experiences bring to its team, leadership, and board. Gleaners is committed to modeling diversity, equity, and inclusion and maintaining fair and equal treatment for all.
About Detroit
Detroit is a city of rich history, creative energy, and unstoppable resilience. As the cultural and economic heart of Southeast Michigan, Detroit offers an extraordinary mix of opportunity, innovation, and community spirit. Known as the birthplace of Motown and the global capital of the automotive industry, Detroit today is writing a new chapter—one defined by growth, reinvention, and inclusive progress.
Located along the Detroit River and minutes from Canada, the city anchors a thriving region of more than four million people. Metro Detroit is home to a dynamic mix of industries—including advanced manufacturing, health care, higher education, financial services, and a fast-growing tech sector—and continues to attract new investment and talent.
The city itself is experiencing a resurgence, with revitalized neighborhoods, a flourishing food and arts scene, and major new infrastructure projects. The downtown and Midtown areas are home to world-class institutions such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and the Motown Museum. Detroit is also one of only a few U.S. cities with teams from all four major sports leagues, offering year-round excitement for fans.
Beyond Detroit’s city limits, Southeast Michigan offers an array of lifestyle and recreational options. Families enjoy top-rated suburban school systems, affordable housing, and easy access to nature. The region boasts more than 11,000 inland lakes and is within a few hours’ drive of Michigan’s famed beaches, wine country, and scenic Upper Peninsula. The nearby university towns of Ann Arbor and East Lansing add vibrancy to the area with renowned academic institutions, research hubs, and college sports.
With its affordability, diverse communities, and mix of urban and suburban living, Southeast Michigan offers a high quality of life and an ideal environment for leaders seeking both purpose-driven work and a welcoming place to call home.
To discover more about Detroit, visit visitdetroit.com.