Introducing Our New President and CEO
We are pleased to announce that Max Finberg has joined Foods Resource Bank, soon to be known as Growing Hope Globally, as President and CEO on September 1, 2018.
Max has 25 years of experience working to end hunger and poverty in both the United States and around the world, most recently serving as a director of the United Nation’s World Food Program in Rome, Italy, the world’s largest humanitarian agency. He first aligned with FRB and many of our implementing partners almost 20 years ago both as the inaugural executive director for the Alliance to End Hunger, where he tripled membership and donations, and as a Congressional aide focused on hunger and agricultural issues.
In addition, Max has held senior positions with AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America, the domestic Peace Corps), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of State, and the White House, where he gained a deep understanding of sustainable agricultural development and worked to inspire and encourage faith leaders and others to end hunger. He holds a master’s degree in religious studies from Howard University’s School of Divinity and a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from Tufts University.
Max credits his Christian faith and small-town roots for his deep commitment to building community and relationships to help carry out God’s will. He first heard his calling to address world hunger at the age of 15 when he read Matthew 25:35-42, which begins: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…
“I am honored and humbled to join the family of farmers and people of faith connected to FRB, who are putting their faith into action by serving others,” says Max “The innovative model of Growing Projects allows us to share what we have to help people in need provide for their families.”
Board Chair Brian Backe adds, “We are excited to welcome Max as our new leader. He brings the experience, strengths and relationships that will allow FRB to grow into the future. We are also extremely grateful for the solid foundation that has been laid by Marv Baldwin, our staff, Growing Projects and supporters who have enabled almost 1.6 million people in the developing world to become food secure.”