The Global FoodBanking Network Welcomes New Board Chair; Adds Five New Members

CHICAGO (February 17, 2025)—The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) is pleased to announce the election of Sachin Gupta, managing director and global portfolio manager at PIMCO, as the chair of its Board of Directors for a two-year term.

Gupta has served on the Board since 2018, helping guide the organization through a period of growth and expansion of the network and its services. Gupta will chair his first Board meeting in mid-February in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

“During my time on the Board, I have seen firsthand and been deeply inspired by the work of food banks to provide food and other critical support to people around the world, while also reducing the environmental impacts of food loss and waste,” said Gupta. “I look forward to working closely with my fellow Board members as we help guide the organization in its pursuit of nourishing people and the planet together.” 

Gupta is joined by five additional new GFN Board members: Juan José Freijo, chief sustainability and product innovation officer, Brambles; Melissa Ho, who most recently served as senior vice president, Freshwater & Food, World Wildlife Fund; Linda Nageotte, president and chief operating officer of Feeding America, National Office; Keith Williams, board member for various organizations and former CEO of Underwriter Laboratories; and Julie Yurko, president and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank. 

Gupta and the new Board members will help guide GFN through the conclusion of its current strategic plan, which is focused on driving growth for newer food banks, promoting innovation and technology advancements, and improving the nutritional impact of food products distributed by food banks. They will also oversee the development of GFN’s next strategic plan, which starts in 2026, as the organization focuses on achieving its North Star Goal of feeding 50 million people by 2030. 

“I am thrilled to work with such a thoughtful, compassionate leader as Sachin, who will help guide our organization into its next chapter,” said Lisa Moon, president and CEO of The Global FoodBanking Network. “At a time of great uncertainty for food security around the world, we look to Sachin and all of our Board directors to share their global experience and strategic vision to maximize our impact as we move forward.” 

“I am excited and deeply honored that Juan José, Melissa, Keith, Linda, and Julie are joining our Board and giving their time to support GFN’s mission. Together, they reflect our organization’s ongoing commitment to maintain a Board with superlative skills as well as sectoral and geographic diversity,” Moon continued. “I am excited for the fresh perspectives these talented and thoughtful leaders will bring to our organization.” 

GFN is grateful to Board members whose terms concluded at the end of 2024: Carol Criner, who served on GFN’s Board for 10 years, including as Board chair from 2023-2025, along with Brian Greene, CEO of Houston Food Bank, and Paul Henrys, CFO of Feeding America. 

“I want to recognize Carol, Brian and Paul for their commitment and service to GFN. Carol, in particular, played a strategic and clear-eyed role in guiding the organization into the post-COVID era and she’s had a remarkable impact in shaping what GFN is today,” said Gupta. “With the support of the Board, past and present, GFN’s network continues to provide critical services to people and strengthen communities worldwide.” 

The Global FoodBanking Network is made up of 63 organizations in 51 countries, up from 31 organizations in 29 countries in 2018. The network served 41 million people in 2023, compared to 9 million in 2018.  

Here’s what the new members had to say about joining the GFN board: 

Juan José Freijo: “One of the critical ways that we can reduce hunger is by ensuring that the food supply chain is able to better link food producers with people who need it. When the system breaks down, food banks can play an important role in filling this gap helping to get people the nourishment they need. At Brambles, we have seen the role of GFN and food banks firsthand, and I look forward to sharing my experience so that more food gets to people, as we minimize food waste.” 

Melissa Ho: “I am delighted to join the GFN Board to support the organization’s effort to create a more just food system where people, especially the most vulnerable, get more access to food. GFN is doing important work to help transform food systems in a way that better protects the planet, preserves natural resources, and makes sure everyone gets the food they need.” 

Keith Williams: “I am excited to join GFN as it looks for innovative ways to get more food to more people. I am hopeful that my experiences related to safety and systems will be valuable to the organization. I am energized by GFN’s work across international markets and look forward to joining my fellow Board members in advancing GFN’s vision of nourishing people and the planet together.” 

Linda Nageotte: “GFN and Feeding America have so many linkages, with our shared focus on the goal of expanding food access for all people. At a time when hunger around the world continues to be far too high, I am very pleased to be joining GFN and helping both guide and learn from the organization, as we push toward our common vision of a world in which no one goes hungry.” 

Julie Yurko: “I am very honored to be a part of the GFN mission and hope to raise awareness of our work and network and how others can get involved and make a meaningful impact. Being a Board Member will help me grow and learn, as well as enable me to give back to a mission and organization for which I care deeply. My hope is to share with GFN and our network my passion for building a neighbor-centered charitable food system that provides dignity, equity and convenience for those who we serve.”