Chief Human Resources Officer

ABOUT FEEDING AMERICA 

As the nation's largest nonprofit and domestic hunger-relief organization, Feeding America is at the forefront of the fight to end hunger. With total public support and revenue of $5.2 billion (FY2025), which includes 7.2 billion pounds of food sourced and 4.3 billion pounds rescued from retailers, manufacturers, and farms, Feeding America engages our country and communities in the fight to end hunger on an unprecedented scale, serving as a catalyst at both the national and local levels, reaching every county in the United States.

The Scale of Need: Nearly 48 million Americans, including millions of children and seniors, do not have reliable access to enough nutritious food to live healthy, active lives. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, hunger has remained stubbornly elevated, driven by record inflation, historically high food costs, reduced federal assistance, and sustained threats to programs like SNAP, which supports more than 40 million Americans. Food insecurity touches communities of every background across the country. As economic pressures and systemic inequities persist, Feeding America's mission and leadership has never been more critical.

The Network: Feeding America is a nationwide network of over 250 food banks, 20+ statewide food bank associations, and more than 60,000 partner food pantries and meal programs. Together, the Feeding America network provided 5.9 billion meals to tens of millions of people across the United States in FY2025.

A People-Centered Approach: Through it all, Feeding America keeps the neighbors it serves at the center of its vision of a hunger-free America. Feeding America is deeply committed to meeting the unique nutritional and health needs of individuals and their communities through an approach that is people-centered, responsive, and adaptive. Notably, fresh produce, protein, and dairy now comprise over half of all food distributed through the network, a direct reflection of what neighbors say they need and evidence of an organization that listens and acts on what it hears.

Feeding America's 2030 Strategy: Feeding America has charted an ambitious course for the years ahead. Its 2030 strategy is organized around five interconnected priorities:

1. Improve neighbor access to and experience with the charitable food system
2. Enhance sourcing and sharing of neighbor-preferred food
3. Expand policy advocacy to increase access to resources and address the root causes of hunger
4. Increase holistic support available to neighbors in areas including health, economic mobility, and housing
5. Transform measurement and data through collective opportunities in data sharing and technology tools across the Feeding America network

New Leadership and Feeding America's Next Chapter: In April 2026, Denis McDonough was named Feeding America's Chief Executive Officer (read the announcement here). McDonough brings a career defined by large-scale public service, cross-sector partnership, and an unwavering commitment to the dignity of every person served. Most recently serving as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, he arrives at Feeding America with a proven track record of leading complex, mission-critical organizations through challenge and change. His appointment marks an exciting inflection point for Feeding America.

The Critical Role of Human Resources in Feeding America's Next Chapter: Delivering on Feeding America’s 2030 Strategy demands world-class talent, a high-performing culture, an open and supportive work environment, and the organizational capabilities to execute at unprecedented scale. The HR team sits at the heart of enabling Feeding America to fulfill its mission and bring its most ambitious goals to life.

Learn More: Review Feeding America's 2025 Annual Report here. For more information, please visit Feeding America's website: http://www.feedingamerica.org. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

Feeding America is seeking its next Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) as part of a planned leadership succession. The current CHRO has served in the role for nearly a decade, building the HR function into a highly strategic driver of the organization’s mission and impact. This transition represents a rare and pivotal moment for the organization as Feeding America enters a new chapter under the leadership of CEO Denis McDonough. The next CHRO will serve as a key strategic partner to the CEO in shaping that chapter and advancing the organization’s ambitious vision for the future.

The incoming CHRO will build upon a strong and well-established HR foundation while helping to guide the organization through a period of leadership transition, evolving strategic priorities, the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence and its implications for the future of work, and an external environment placing extraordinary demands on Feeding America and its network. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the CHRO will lead the people strategies, culture, and organizational capabilities necessary to advance Feeding America’s bold 2030 ambitions.

The CHRO leads a high-performing and deeply committed team of nine, including two direct reports: the SVP, Human Resources Operations and the VP, Talent Management & Compensation.

The CHRO is responsible for providing leadership in developing and executing human resources strategy in support of the overall strategic direction of the organization resulting in the highest levels of engagement and performance. The CHRO leads all aspects of human resources including organizational strategy and design, organization culture, leadership effectiveness and accountability, employee engagement, change management, talent management, training and development, compensation/rewards design, payroll, benefits and welfare programs and office operations. They provide strategic organizational design and human resource counsel to the CEO and Executive Management Team, while supporting the Board of Directors regarding executive compensation and benefits. The CHRO serves as the executive sponsor for the Network HR Council and engages with other network governance bodies and leaders as needed to help build network capacity and effectiveness.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Function as a strategic advisor to the CEO and the Executive team regarding key organizational and management issues.  Fully participate in the development of the Feeding America strategic plan and Executive team exploration and discussion of strategic initiatives.
• Guide and facilitate organization design to support vision and strategy, while anticipating future opportunities and challenges.
• Develop and execute workforce plans and programs that align with the organization’s overall strategic objectives, promote the development and retention of diverse talent and deliver on Feeding America’s employee value proposition.        
• Provide stewardship of organizational values and culture in support of the mission and foster an open and supportive environment that promotes leadership accountability and creates conditions where every team member can thrive.  Act as internal ambassador for organizational values, leadership and culture to staff at all levels.
• Play a key role in shaping and championing Feeding America's engagement with artificial intelligence, helping the organization proactively navigate one of the most significant and rapidly evolving disruptions affecting the workforce today. Foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptability, build organizational readiness, and accelerate the thoughtful adoption of AI-enabled ways of working in service of greater mission impact, organizational effectiveness, and employee success.
• Direct the development and implementation of policies, processes and practices that measure employee engagement (including the annual employee engagement survey), solicit employee feedback and surface employee issues and concerns.  Build employee relations processes and practices that ensure an open, supportive and fair environment.
• Direct the development and continuous improvement of talent management strategies and programs including performance management, leadership development and professional development and advancement.
• Lead the design of organizational reward strategy including compensation philosophy, policies and programs as well as benefits programs and employee recognition to promote a high performing organization.  Oversee the administration of these policies, including payroll processing in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Direct recruitment, selection and orientation activities to yield diverse, high-quality talent and ensure onboarding processes for new team members create a foundation for future success.
• Ensure that employment policies, processes and programs represent best practices, are administered in a fair and equitable manner and are in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Provide coaching, leadership, and guidance to support belonging, teamwork, and individual growth while ensuring the highest levels of performance from members of the Human Resources Team.
• Staff the Board of Directors and Board committees on executive compensation, succession planning, and other human resources governance matters.  
• Provide consultation and coaching to Feeding America network members to support HR capacity development throughout the year and serve as the executive sponsor for the Network HR Council and as a co-sponsor of the bi-annual Excellence in Finance & HR Member Conference.
• Oversee the operation of the Chicago and Washington DC Offices, ensuring workspaces are welcoming, comfortable, productive, cost effective, and safe.

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:

An HR Expert & Workforce Innovator

This leader will bring:

• A proven background as a seasoned HR generalist combined with deep expertise across the full spectrum of the HR function, including organization design, talent management, leadership development, employee relations, compensation and benefits, and workforce planning.
• A strong understanding of employment law from both a business and compliance perspective, with sound judgment and the ability to bring an integrity lens to decision-making that incorporates values, governance, ethics, and applicable laws and regulations.
• A strategic mindset paired with practical expertise; able to set vision and design enterprise-level people strategies while also understanding the mechanics of how excellent HR gets delivered day-to-day.
• Deep fluency in emerging workforce trends and technologies, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence and its implications for the future of work. Brings the curiosity, learning orientation, and strategic acumen to continually assess the evolving AI landscape, identify opportunities and risks, and help Feeding America thoughtfully leverage AI to advance its mission.
• Ideally, brings experience leading organizations through transformational change driven by emerging technologies. Able to develop and execute people strategies that prepare the workforce for AI-enabled ways of working, build new skills and capabilities, drive adoption, and ensure technology investments translate into meaningful organizational impact.
• A data-driven approach to people strategy; uses workforce analytics to surface insights, measure impact, and drive accountability.

A Trusted Partner & Enterprise Strategist

This leader will bring:

• Demonstrated experience operating effectively in a large, complex, and matrixed environment; comfortable navigating ambiguity, managing competing priorities, and driving alignment across diverse stakeholders.
• A track record of providing human resources counsel and guidance to senior leadership to inform the implementation of HR strategies and solutions and address organization challenges, with demonstrated comfort constructively challenging thinking and behavior to help achieve strategic and cultural objectives.
• A broad organizational and business thinker with the acumen and knowledge to engage with impact in the development of enterprise strategy, providing informed input on critical organizational decisions that extend well beyond the scope of the HR function.
• A trusted advisor and thought partner; someone the CEO can rely on to work through people decisions, organizational challenges, and enterprise strategy with candor, conviction, and genuine intellectual engagement.
• The confidence and interpersonal courage to challenge the CEO and senior leaders when warranted, engage in substantive debate, and advocate for sound positions, while building trust and remaining a collaborative, values-aligned partner.
• The ability to sustain a culture of care and belonging without allowing it to become a barrier to accountability; holds people to high standards while supporting their growth and wellbeing with compassion and consistency.
• The ability and willingness to move fluidly between strategic leadership and operational execution; comfortable putting their hands on work product, managing details, and driving deliverables alongside their team when the moment calls for it.

In addition to the competencies outlined above, this executive will demonstrate the following leadership competencies, which are expected for all members of the Feeding America senior leadership team: 

• Fosters an Enterprise Mindset: Centers neighbors, and lives into Feeding America’s shared value statement in working with network partners to have the desired mission impact. Acts as a champion of the enterprise by embracing FANO decision making and stewardship. Aligns department and team to enterprise decisions and priorities. Takes ownership for enterprise decisions and processes. Creates and communicates a clear shared vision for the future consistent with the values and mission of Feeding America. Promotes a neighbor-centered strategy and maintains a balanced perspective between short- and long-term priorities.
• Fosters an Open and Supportive Environment: Seeks and values varied perspectives and consistently treats others with fairness, dignity, compassion, and respect – proactively takes action to ensure this is reflected in Feeding America’s culture. Keeps people at the center of all that Feeding America does and centers resources to address disparities wherever they exist. Acknowledges, repairs, and recommits when out of Feeding America’s Group Agreements. Is fully engaged in their own personal learning around appreciating varied backgrounds and perspectives, understanding of power dynamics and creating open and supportive environments where all staff can thrive.
• Leads with Accountability: Upholds ethical standards and consistently demonstrates a commitment to doing what is consistent with Feeding America’s values rather than what is expedient. Anchors actions and decisions in Feeding America’s values and mission while building trust and taking responsibility for the hard decisions. Expresses best independent thinking by leveraging data, functional experience, and Feeding America's values to inform decisions. Once decisions are made, actively supports and takes responsibility, and communicates them, regardless of personal point of view. Takes personal accountability for results, demonstrates a learning mindset, self-awareness, self-monitoring, and self-regulation.
• Collaborates Internally and Externally: Builds partnerships internally and externally and works collaboratively with stakeholders, the network, and neighbors to remove silos and gain multiple perspectives to meet shared objectives. Represents Feeding America positively, highlighting its mission of ending hunger. Engages and communicates in ways that create brave spaces for collaboration and shared learning.
• Focuses on People and Teams: Prioritizes people and ensures they are supported and developed in their work with candid, timely, and constructive coaching, and feedback, fosters a learning mindset, and recognizes and rewards strong performance. Focuses on the development of self and others to accelerate performance in current and future roles. Holds self and others accountable to high standards of performance and results. Promotes a healthy and engaging work environment and mobilizes the team around Feeding America’s work and mission.
• Manages Organization and Business Complexity: Translates organizational priorities into specific goals to ensure accomplishment of critical results. Sets clear and ambitious plans and holds self and others accountable for achieving desired outcomes. Interprets new challenges and finds solutions in response to changing circumstances. Achieves or exceeds desired outcomes while managing organizational risk and maintaining space for innovation and new ideas. Creates an environment that encourages doing things differently, where it is safe to learn from mistakes.
• Communicates with Impact and Influence: Communicates directly, clearly and with integrity, across all levels. Crafts and delivers timely, impactful communication using multiple modes to impart a clear understanding tailored to the specific needs of all audiences.

Location & Travel

The successful candidate must be based in or willing to relocate to Chicago, Illinois, and will be expected to be in the Feeding America office 2-3 days per week.

Additionally, the successful candidate will be willing and able to travel occasionally (~20%).

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for the Chief Human Resources Officer is $275,000 - $300,000 and will be based on the successful candidate’s skills and experience. In addition, there is a target bonus of 15%.

This is a permanent, full-time, exempt position and is eligible for Feeding America’s 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 at [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.

Feeding America’s goal is to attract, develop, retain, and promote a talented diverse workforce where all employees feel a sense of belonging and contribute to a culture that values differences, ideas and experiences.  We intentionally seek out diverse perspectives and skills on our teams, knowing that it makes us stronger as an organization and better equipped to serve our neighbors in need.  We encourage all individuals, including those from historically under-represented communities and individuals with lived experience of hunger, to apply.

 About DSG | Koya

DSG | Koya, a DSG Global company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, DSG | Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. DSG | Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

DSG Global is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.

Learn more about DSG | Koya via the firm's website.