PRESS RELEASE: Oregon Food Bank Appoints Andrea Williams as Next President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2024

Contact: Morgan D. Dewey, press@oregonfoodbank.org

Oregon Food Bank Appoints Andrea Williams as Next President

Portland, OR. — Oregon Food Bank’s Board of Directors and Board Search Committee announced today that Andrea Williams, current Vice President of Oregon Food Bank, will assume the role of President in December 2024.

Andrea has co-led Oregon Food Bank alongside the outgoing President Susannah Morgan for the past three years, making significant progress towards ending hunger and its root causes. Prior to her role at Oregon Food Bank, Andrea led an immigrant rights organization and One Oregon, a coalition of over 100 organizations that passed transformative policies impacting Oregonians. She also served in the City of Portland Office of Community & Civic Life.

Wayne Graham, Oregon Food Bank Board Chair who led the Board Search Committee said, “The Board conducted a national search for a new President, and we believe Andrea is the right person to lead Oregon Food Bank into its next chapter. We look forward to her continued commitment to our mission of eliminating hunger and addressing its root causes.”

Outgoing President Susannah Morgan expressed her confidence in Andrea's leadership: “Having worked hand-in-hand with Andrea for the past three years, I can attest to her brilliance, persistence, dedication and trustworthiness. I couldn't be more thrilled to leave Oregon Food Bank in her capable hands.”

Andrea will be the first woman of color to lead the organization in its 43-year history committed to cultivating equitable food systems, telling true stories of those impacted by hunger and partnering with our communities to end hunger and poverty. She aims to build on Oregon Food Bank’s progress and uphold Oregon Food Bank’s commitments to equity and racial justice and our efforts to pass Food for All Oregonians.

“Everyone deserves access to food,” Andrea stated. “Our network of partners across the region ensures that communities have access to the food they need today. However, we can do more. We can address the challenges, such as the high cost of housing, that drive so many Oregonians to seek food assistance. If we succeed, our communities will have what they need to thrive.”

Andrea's selection marks the beginning of a new chapter of opportunity and hope in the movement against hunger. Together with a committed Board of Directors, a strong Leadership Team, dedicated staff and the support of the community, Oregon Food Bank is rising for all during this transition.

For media inquiries contact Morgan Dewey at press@oregonfoodbank.org.

ABOUT OREGON FOOD BANK

Oregon Food Bank is a member of the Nation's largest food banking Network, Feeding America. As the central hub of a statewide network of 21 regional food banks and 1,400+ food assistance sites, Oregon Food Bank collects and distributes food across Oregon and Southwest Washington, helping to ensure free food is available to those experiencing food insecurity — especially Black, Indigenous, and all People of Color; immigrants and refugees; transgender and gender expansive communities; and single parents and caregivers disproportionately harmed by unfair systems rooted in racism, classism and sexism. Oregon Food Bank works across systems to help people access nourishing food today and build community power to eliminate the root causes of hunger for good. Join us online at OregonFoodBank.org and @oregonfoodbank on social media.