Annette Hacker will join Food Bank of Iowa as Communications Manager September 7, President and CEO Michelle Book announced today.

Hacker is a communications consultant who previously led Iowa State University’s primary media relations unit for 17 years.  She formerly served as senior vice president of a metro public relations firm and has extensive experience in agency, nonprofit, and for-profit settings, providing strategic communications solutions to a wide variety of industries.

At Food Bank of Iowa, Hacker will manage internal and external communications and media relations, as well as share stories to help further the Food Bank’s vision for a hunger-free Iowa.

“Annette will be a great addition to our passionate team of hunger fighters,” Book said. “Her talents will be put to use as we continue to build awareness for food insecurity and expand service for struggling Iowans.”

As Food Bank of Iowa welcomes Hacker, they announce two additional changes.

Sonja LeSher, a Regional Partnership Coordinator for the previous four years, will transition to the role of Retail Donation Manager. This new position is aimed at increasing food rescue from retail partners, reducing food waste while increasing the food available for food insecure Iowans.

Annah Begg, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for the past two years, will transition to the role of Regional Partnership Coordinator vacated by LeSher’s move. Begg will be responsible for food pantry relationships across a twelve-county area, assisting Food Bank partners with capacity building and compliance issues.