Jacobson brings extensive experience in addressing hunger and equity issues
DENVER (January 10, 2019) – Hunger Free Colorado announced today that its board of directors has chosen Marc Jacobson as the organization’s next chief executive officer. Jacobson, who currently serves as the Dallas Regional Director and Statewide Organizing Director for Baylor University’s Texas Hunger Initiative will succeed Kathy Underhill, the organization’s founder and prior CEO, on February 11.
“Hunger Free Colorado has long been a catalyzing force in the anti-hunger space, and the board is pleased to have chosen Marc to build on our strong foundation as a national leader and partner in addressing hunger,” said Gwénaël Hagan, chair of Hunger Free Colorado’s board of directors. “Marc’s extensive experience in anti-hunger work, as well as his proven track record in public policy and community engagement, makes him uniquely qualified to lead Hunger Free Colorado into the next exciting chapter for our organization.”
Hunger Free Colorado employed a national search firm for the selection of its next chief executive officer. A large initial prospect pool of nearly 100 applicants was narrowed by stages to a group who interviewed with the board’s search committee, and then to a final round who met with the full staff and board. Jacobson was found to be the best choice from a deep pool of interested and highly qualified candidates.
“I am thrilled to be joining Hunger Free Colorado, an organization with a demonstrated record of success, widespread community support and an urgent mission. No one should lack the consistent nourishment needed to be healthy, to learn and to thrive,” said Jacobson. “Hunger is an issue we can and must solve to ensure the well-being of all Coloradans. I look forward to working with Hunger Free Colorado’s very talented and passionate staff and board, as well as our many volunteers and community partners, to end hunger together.”
Jacobson brings extensive knowledge of anti-hunger work from his tenure at Baylor University’s Texas Hunger Initiative (THI). He led capacity-building efforts to increase access to food stamps, federally known as SNAP, oversaw the creation of model initiatives to boost participation and program delivery quality in federal child nutrition programs, spearheaded campaigns to educate and advocate on hunger policy, and guided the development of local anti-hunger coalitions in rural and urban communities across Texas. Prior to joining THI, Jacobson worked on a variety of justice and equity issues that intersect with hunger. He co-founded the Anti-Poverty Coalition of Greater Dallas, which started a successful city-by-city initiative to regulate payday lenders. He also served as Director of the Texas Fair Trade Coalition, where he led campaigns to combat sweatshops and promote fair wages. As a community organizer in Texas, California and Massachusetts, Jacobson supported grassroots leaders in advocating for high quality K-12 education, immigrant rights and affordable housing. Jacobson holds a bachelor’s in History from Yale University and a Master of Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
For a photo of Marc Jacobson visit: http://bit.ly/CEOMarc
About Hunger Free Colorado
Hunger Free Colorado, a statewide nonprofit organization founded in 2009, leads efforts to connect families and individuals to food resources and fuels change in systems, policies and social views, so no Coloradan goes hungry. By leveraging the power of collaboration, innovation and partnership, Hunger Free Colorado eliminates barriers to the access of affordable, nutritious food and brings a unified, statewide voice to the issue and solutions surrounding hunger. Some key initiatives include a statewide food resource hotline and mobile services, Hunger Through My Lens and the Colorado Food Pantry Network. Learn more at HungerFreeColorado.org.
Media Contact: Ellie Agar, Director of Communications, (720) 464-3620