Connecticut Food Bank Announces Appointment of New CEO, Valarie Shultz-Wilson, Long-Time President & CEO at Urban League of Southern Connecticut
The Connecticut Food Bank today announced that Valarie Shultz-Wilson, of Danbury, has been appointed CEO of the organization, effective July 15. Prior to joining the Connecticut Food Bank, Shultz-Wilson served for 13 years as President & CEO of the Urban League of Southern Connecticut. “We are pleased to welcome Valarie,” said Connecticut Food Bank Board Chairman Wes Higgins. “She is an experienced, effective, and dynamic leader who has devoted her career to leading organizations working to improve the lives of people who struggle with poverty.”
Higgins said Shultz-Wilson was ideally qualified to take on the leadership role at the Connecticut Food Bank as the organization explores new ways to meet evolving needs. “Sadly, we have seen demand remain constant within our network, despite news of an improved economy,” Higgins said. “More people who visit us need help, despite the fact that they are working one – sometimes more – jobs.” Higgins noted that Shultz-Wilson’s work at the Urban League of Southern Connecticut and her other Community ties to programs that serve people in need will provide experience and connections to make her an effective leader.
Shultz-Wilson said she was energized by the opportunity. “In my time as a Board member at the Connecticut Food Bank, I have been impressed by the commitment and professionalism of the team. I’m honored that my colleagues on the Board saw me as a candidate to the Food Bank and look forward to building our capacity, deepening our impact, and raising awareness of the intersection of food insecurity, poverty, health, and economic opportunity.”
In welcoming Shultz-Wilson, Higgins thanked outgoing CEO Bernie Beaudreau for his “energy, hard work, and commitment over the past three years.” Higgins noted that the food bank has make progress during those three years on its goals, growing its food distribution by 20%, expanding outreach to partner agencies, and “raising our voice in a stronger advocacy role on policy issues that relate to hunger.” Higgins also noted that the Connecticut Food Bank successfully completed a move to a new satellite warehouse in Bridgeport, increasing access to food for partners in southwest Connecticut, where there is a high concentration of need.