Executive Director Food Outreach

Collaborative Strategies is conducting this search on behalf of Food Outreach, a St. Louis-based nonprofit with 38 years of impact. Food Outreach is the region’s only nonprofit providing medically tailored nutrition to individuals living with HIV and cancer, delivering services through medically tailored meals and groceries and medical nutrition therapy.

Food Outreach is positioned for its next chapter, grounded in strong community trust and a clear strategic direction centered on the “Food is Medicine” movement. The organization is advancing key priorities including accreditation, technology and data investment, brand positioning, and readiness for future facility expansion and capital planning. The next Executive Director will accelerate this work by strengthening and diversifying revenue, expanding healthcare and payer partnerships, and guiding a committed team through continued growth and change.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the organization’s chief leader and external representative, responsible for strategy, fundraising, operations, and organizational performance. This role requires a leader who combines deep mission alignment with disciplined execution, data‑informed decision‑making, and strong executive judgment. In this role, you will:

Lead execution of the strategic plan, including continued progress toward “Food is Medicine” accreditation, investment in technology and data capabilities, expansion of healthcare and payer partnerships, and preparation for facility expansion and capital campaign readiness. Balance near‑term execution with long‑term positioning for growth and sustainability.

Provide immediate leadership stability during a period of transition while maintaining a strong, accountable, and mission‑aligned culture. Develop internal leadership capability, strengthen management practices, and ensure alignment across teams. Lead change with clarity, consistency, and presence.

Partner with the Directors of Development and Programs to drive a diversified and evolving revenue strategy across individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, grants, and emerging healthcare reimbursement and contract opportunities. Serve as a primary external ambassador for key relationships and strengthen a culture of philanthropy and accountability for results.

Define, measure, and communicate organizational impact. Integrate data and outcomes into fundraising, partnerships, and decision‑making to ensure a clear and compelling connection between mission, programs, and results.

Maintain a transparent and productive relationship with the Board of Directors. Provide clear reporting on financial, operational, and programmatic performance while supporting strong governance practices and appropriate boundaries between oversight and management.

Represent Food Outreach across diverse community, healthcare, and corporate audiences. Build and deepen relationships that strengthen visibility, credibility, and access to resources.

Oversee financial performance, budgeting, and operational effectiveness. Ensure resources are aligned with strategic priorities while maintaining fiscal discipline, compliance, and long‑term sustainability. Exercise sound executive judgment in complex organizational, personnel, and financial decisions.

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience, including significant time in a senior leadership role (e.g., Executive Director, CEO,…