President & CEO

Opportunity

In 2027, Ozarks Food Harvest will welcome its next leader as part of a planned succession for current President & CEO, Bart Brown, who has led the organization for 26 years. This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic and values‑aligned leader to guide a nationally respected food bank through its next chapter—building on four decades of impact while addressing the growing and evolving needs of communities across Missouri.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President & CEO will be responsible for Ozarks Food Harvest’s strategic vision, oversee its ~$50M annual budget (~$12M cash), and lead a dedicated team of 88 employees, including six direct reports (Director of Communications;
Director of Development;
Director of Finance & HR; Director of Full Circle Gardens; Director of Member Services; Director of Operations). Ozarks Food Harvest is fortunate to have a separately incorporated supporting organization, the Ozarks Food Harvest Foundation. The foundation (~$12M) exists to provide a perpetual income stream to Ozarks Food Harvest. The foundation has its own board of directors and governance. This opportunity will allow the CEO to work with foundation to grow its assets through planned giving and additional donor programs.

The new President & CEO will join Ozarks Food Harvest at a time of strength and opportunity. With a strong financial position and operational foundation, a modern facility, a robust network of supporters, and a clear strategic framework in place, the organization is well‑positioned to deepen its impact. At the same time, the President & CEO will be charged with navigating a dynamic funding and policy landscape and advancing scalable, sustainable solutions to food insecurity.

• Strategic Leadership and Vision:
  Championing Ozarks Food Harvest’s mission and strategic priorities, setting and communicating a compelling vision for the future, and ensuring continued innovation, impact, and responsiveness to community needs.
• Organizational and Team Leadership:
  Leading, inspiring, and motivating a talented, mission‑driven staff and fostering a strong internal culture rooted in collaboration, equity, and accountability.
• Fundraising and External Relations:
  Serving as the organization’s primary ambassador; cultivating strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders including Feeding America and its affiliates, donors, corporate partners, community organizations, and others, effectively telling Ozarks Food Harvest’s story to inspire investment and partnership.
• Advocacy and Policy Engagement:
  Engaging with local, state, and national policymakers and coalitions to advance hunger‑related policy priorities and secure public support for food security solutions.
• Operational and Financial Management:
  Overseeing a large and complex nonprofit organization, ensuring long‑term financial sustainability and operational excellence.
• Reputation & Partnership Building:
  Advancing a more accurate and complete understanding of Ozarks Food Harvest’s mission, capabilities, and strategic direction. Strengthen and unify external messaging so community partners see Ozarks Food Harvest as a long‑term, values‑aligned ally in addressing hunger.
• Board Partnership and Governance:
  Building a strong partnership with the Board of Directors; ensuring strategic alignment, clear communication, and sound governance practices.
• Community Engagement:
  Demonstrating a deep commitment to those we serve, ensuring that Ozarks Food Harvest’s programs are grounded in the lived experiences of the communities served.

We look for an authentic, mission‑driven leader committed to Southwest Missouri. The candidate should bring humility, empathy, deep personal commitment to the mission and values, a strong commitment to the 28 counties served, a genuine passion for serving the region’s diverse communities, the ability to inspire confidence and connect with staff, donors, partners, and neighbors, strong listening skills, optimism, the ability to engage authentically across diverse communities, and the capacity to unify staff around a shared mission.