The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) is pleased to announce that Elizabeth McCarthy has been selected as its new President & CEO and is expected to assume the role in mid-July.
“CFBNJ ran an extensive nationwide search process, and Elizabeth clearly rose to the top,” said Joe Dempsey, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Interim CEO and co-chair of the CEO search committee. “We are so excited to have her lead the CFBNJ team.”
Elizabeth has been singularly dedicated to serving as a non-profit leader with an unwavering commitment to supporting programs for underserved and vulnerable individuals to break the cycle of generational poverty. She brings a wealth of experience, a fresh perspective, and a data-driven approach to assessing, allocating, and leveraging resources. At CFBNJ, working with a dedicated team which is committed to maximizing scale, sustainability, and impact, she will drive the future of the fight against hunger in New Jersey towards the organization’s long-term goal of eliminating food insecurity in the Garden State.
Elizabeth has been a leader in shaping and implementing programs that address immediate critical needs, as well as providing the tools and support to effect long-term positive impacts on communities. Since 2011 she has served as the CEO of Sheltering Arms, which addressed the effects of social inequity for children and families in the most challenged New York City communities. During her tenure there, the agency grew dramatically, adding wraparound services for families living in poverty, including education, mental health, and violence prevention programs. She also serves on the Board of Directors and the Steering Committee for the Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies (COFCCA), is the Treasurer of The Developmental Disabilities Services/Child Welfare Collaborative, LLC, and was a Board member of The Children’s Collaborative, Inc.
Prior to joining Sheltering Arms, Elizabeth served as COO at MercyFirst, Senior Vice President for Programs at Safe Horizon, an Adjunct Professor at NYU Wagner School, an Assistant Commissioner in the New York City Department of Homeless Services, and as Chief of Staff in the Mayor’s Office of Operations. She has an MBA in Public and Nonprofit Management from Yale University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Boston College.
“I was born and raised in New Jersey, so I am very familiar with the amazing work of CFBNJ, and I am humbled to be selected to lead the organization forward,” said Elizabeth McCarthy. “I am excited to join the outstanding Board and Leadership as we work to reduce food insecurity and its root causes in New Jersey dramatically in the coming years.”
“We welcome Elizabeth to the CFBNJ family and are confident that her extensive experience and lifelong commitment to serving those in need will greatly benefit the organization as we work towards a hunger-free Garden State,” added Judy Spires, Chair of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Board of Directors.