Stop Hunger Now’s new Board Chair Kate Day brings management and business development expertise, international experience, passion and a firm belief that hunger is solvable. Two of her top goals in leading the Board in 2016 are to engage volunteers at a deeper level, and to position the organization for the future with sustainable community development projects. Get to know our new Board Chair Kate Day and what’s ahead in 2016 for Stop Hunger Now.
Can you describe Stop Hunger Now’s Board and its role?
The beauty of our board is that it includes members from multiple disciplines, so we have diverse perspectives. And we are geographically dispersed. This is the most highly engaged board I have ever been on. The board takes a very active role in providing oversight, perspective and general guidance to ensure that Stop Hunger Now is positioned to grow and deepen our impact.
What are some of the top goals for 2016?
One of our strategic goals is to broaden impact and engage more people. On the Board, we have committees in place that have traditionally be led by board members. One way to deepen our impact and extend our reach is getting more volunteers involved on committees such as IT, Marketing and Operations. In addition, we’d like to partner more closely with our development team to support their efforts and have Board members take a more active role in engaging partners and donors.
What were your first impressions of Stop Hunger Now?
A neighbor invited me to meet the CEO, Rod Brooks, who asked for help marketing a new program. My first impression was this is truly a global organization. I loved that environment since I lived abroad. My second impression was the impact it was having; I wanted to join the cause to end hunger. My impressions were based on the people, energy and passion.
You are the vice president of Global Workforce Enablement for MetLife. How did you get Metlife involved with Stop Hunger Now?
I helped organize the first meal packaging event at Metlife. Word got out and people loved it. The benefit is that it’s a team building exercise, and it’s giving back to the community at a very reasonable cost. Now we’re looking at doing a multi-site event this year around World Hunger Day in October. It’s a great opportunity to raise awareness and get more people to join the movement to end hunger.
What are some new initiatives Stop Hunger Now is doing in 2016?
As we position ourselves for the future, what we are doing to help end hunger is evolving. We are growing in two areas: sustainable development and crisis response. We’ve been drilling wells in places like Haiti, and we are working on a new project building Tilapia ponds in Guatemala. You’ll hear a lot more about these projects in the coming months.
Can you share more about what you mean by “local capacity”?
We’re a global hunger relief organization that packages meals and empowers local communities. Many people may not know that we have international affiliates in six countries. We package meals with local volunteers; use local ingredients; and distribute the meals locally. We are the only international food packaging organization that does this.
What do you want people to know about Stop Hunger Now?
I’d like people to know that regardless of who you are or where you are, in the U.S. or another country, you can contribute, your involvement can make a difference. I want people to know that hunger is solvable in so many ways.
You and your husband own a restaurant in Raleigh, called Plates Neighborhood Kitchen. How can restaurants get involved in the movement to end hunger?
Restaurants can make a difference. What better platform than a restaurant to help educate patrons about world hunger, and contribute to the cause. For example, this past Thanksgiving we teamed up with Irregardless Cafe in Raleigh with a “Plates for the World” event on Thanksgiving to raise funds and awareness. My dream is to see more restaurants participate. Thanksgiving is a day of giving back.
Contact Kate
As the new Board Chair, Kate wants to engage more people in the movement to end hunger. Readers can email Kate with questions about how to get involved: [email protected].
About Kate Day
Kate has over 27 years professional management experience that includes international technology sales and operations, strategy and business development. As Vice President of Global Workforce Enablement for MetLife, Kate is responsible for building and implementing an early-in-career development program for the Global Technology and Operations Division. She holds a BA from Dartmouth College and earned her MBA from the University of Michigan. Kate is also currently on the board of the United Arts Council, and is a past board member of the Triangle Red Cross.