The Board of Directors of the Food Bank of Iowa has appointed Michelle Book to lead the organization. Michelle began her new role as president and CEO on Monday, February 1, 2016.

Michelle comes to the Food Bank with extensive leadership experience in business management and community relations. Most recently, Michelle led global community and academic relations for DuPont Pioneer.

“The Food Bank of Iowa is a vital organization for our state, and I am proud to join this team,” said Book. “I was honored to be selected by the board for this role, and I am dedicated to helping the Food Bank team achieve its vision of a hunger free Iowa.”

Michelle’s deep commitment to the community is shown through her service as President of the BRAVO Board, Vice Chair and founding member of the Des Moines Botanical Garden Board, Greater Des Moines Community Foundation Grant Making Committee, Downtown Community Alliance Board, and more. Nationally, she served on the Kitchen Cabinet for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the National United Way Corporate Advisory Council.

Michelle received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Iowa State University, majoring in accounting. She is a certified public accountant and certified internal auditor.

“The Board of Directors and I are very pleased that Michelle will be taking the lead at the Food Bank of Iowa,” said Jeff Rommel, chair of the Food Bank’s Board of Directors. “We are excited to see the positive impact that Michelle’s leadership will have on the organization.”

Michelle follows Carey Miller and Karen Ford as the third leader of the Food Bank. Ford founded the organization and served as executive director until 2008. Miller retired in September of 2015 following more than 25 years of service, including seven as executive director.

Attached: Michelle Book headshot and professional bio

About Food Bank of Iowa

The Food Bank of Iowa is a private, not-for-profit organization committed to its mission of alleviating hunger through food distribution, partnership and education. The Food Bank of Iowa distributes donated food and grocery products through Iowa’s largest network of emergency food providers consisting of 390 partner agencies in 55 counties, 42 of these counties are served through their distribution center in Des Moines with the remaining 13 counties being served through their redistribution organization, The Food Bank of Southern Iowa. Besides traditional food banking, the Food Bank of Iowa operates five direct service outreach programs: BackPack Program™, Mobile Pantry, School Pantry, Fresh Produce and Help Us Stop Hunger (HUSH). Additionally, the Food Bank of Iowa conducts two outreach and community engagement programs: Food For Thought and Hunger 101. In FY 2015, the Food Bank of Iowa distributed 11,059,360 lbs. of food. To learn more, visit www.foodbankiowa.org or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/foodbankiowa.