New York (January 9, 2023)—WhyHunger—a leader in the movement to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world—today announced the departure of its revered executive director Noreen Springstead. After more than 30 years of service to WhyHunger, she will leave the organization at the end of January to pursue a new leadership opportunity in the food and health equity space.
“Almost 50 years from when Harry Chapin and Bill Ayres co-founded WhyHunger, we are more powerful and focused than ever thanks to Noreen, our directors and staff,” said Caren Berlin, WhyHunger Board chair, and CEO and co-founder, Gold N Fish Marketing Group. “WhyHunger has thrived under Noreen’s dedicated and longstanding leadership and we are deeply grateful. This moment of transition is an opportunity to build upon our strength and momentum. As a search for a new Executive Director begins, our fiercely dedicated staff, Board of Directors, contributors and partners will continue to work to carry out our mission to provide critical resources to end hunger by supporting grassroots movements and fueling community solutions rooted in social, environmental, racial and economic justice.”
Springstead joined WhyHunger in 1992 as a recent college graduate answering phones. Her passion and dedication to the cause helped her quickly climb the ranks from executive assistant to executive director. Under Noreen’s direction, WhyHunger has established successful partnerships with diverse companies such as Hard Rock International, Audacy, SiriusXM, Albertsons, and ASCAP among others. As part of WhyHunger’s signature program Artists Against Hunger & Poverty, Noreen has built long-term relationships with notable artists including Bruce Springsteen, Yoko Ono Lennon, Carlos Santana, Tom Morello and their management and record labels, resulting in millions of dollars of support for WhyHunger and its community-based partners. Under Noreen’s leadership, WhyHunger tripled its budget, deepened its internal work and practices around racial equity and significantly increased its impact.
“To say it’s been the honor of my lifetime to lead WhyHunger would be an understatement. I’m so inspired by the impact we’ve made, partners we’ve supported, the people we’ve helped and the tremendous staff who carry the heart and soul of the organization,” said Springstead. “Coming off some of the most critical years in the fight to end hunger, it’s bittersweet to say goodbye, but I know I’m leaving the organization in strong hands and with a bright future. Over the past few years, we’ve built an incredibly diverse, powerful, and committed leadership team within the WhyHunger Board and Director’s Circle. I know together they will carry WhyHunger’s work forward seamlessly as the organization embraces new leadership and its next chapter.”
About WhyHunger
Founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayres, WhyHunger believes a world without hunger is possible. We provide critical resources to support grassroots movements and fuel community solutions rooted in social, environmental, racial and economic justice. A four-star rated charity by Charity Navigator, with highest ratings for excellence in fiscal management accountability and transparency, WhyHunger is working to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world. 91 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to programmatic work. Learn more at whyhunger.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
