Introducing our next executive director: Andy Harrington

Friday, May 22, 2020
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Andy Harrington will be the Foodgrains Bank’s executive director starting in September 2020.

Our board of directors has appointed Andy Harrington as the next executive director of Canadian Foodgrains Bank starting in September this year.

Andy comes to the Foodgrains Bank with over 30 years of leadership experience in the non-profit sector. Most recently, he served as CEO of the Wellspring Foundation, a non-profit organization based in British Columbia that works to increase access to education for communities in central and eastern Africa. His experience also includes overseeing international relief projects to support families affected by the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka and before that working with refugee communities living through conflict in Bosnia and Croatia.

“Throughout my career I have seen all too often how hunger affects families, their sense of dignity and their ability to survive difficult circumstances. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to work with a dedicated team of staff and Foodgrains Bank members and supporters across the country who are focused on ending global hunger,” says Andy.

I have seen all too often how hunger affects families, their sense of dignity and their ability to survive difficult circumstances. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to work with a dedicated team…focused on ending global hunger.

For years, conflict, poverty and a changing climate have threatened the ability of families to feed themselves. Now those same families are facing COVID-19. With the emerging food crisis, our network’s essential programming has gained even more importance.

“We have a wealth of experience and expertise in providing food to those most in need all over the world, and we believe that our work can be strengthened and prosper with Andy’s leadership experience and active service in Christian responses to global poverty,” says Foodgrains Bank board chair Ken Kim.

Jim Cornelius has served as executive director since 1997, and the Foodgrains Bank has benefited greatly from his years of wisdom and passionate efforts. Jim will continue to lead the organization until September, when he will move into an advisory position to support Andy through the transition.

Andy is looking forward to working for an organization he admires and where he knows he can make a valuable contribution.

“I knew that the chance to join this amazing organization that has such a profound global impact was something that I couldn’t pass by. I look forward to playing a role helping vulnerable families around the world,” he says.

Andy Harrington after completing a 10,000 kilometre ride from Cape Town to Kigali to raise funds for education in Rwanda. Andy will be the Foodgrains Bank’s next executive director, starting in September 2020. (Photo: Submitted)

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