Catherine D’Amato Announces Retirement from GBFB

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Catherine D’Amato to Retire After 30 Years of Leadership at The Greater Boston Food Bank

Boston, MA (January 13, 2026) – The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) today announced that Catherine D’Amato, one of Boston’s most respected civic and nonprofit leaders and a nationally recognized voice in the anti-hunger movement, will retire as President and CEO after three decades of transformative service.

“The greatest honor of my professional life has been to serve as President and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank,” said D’Amato. “Looking back on the last 30 years, I am so grateful for my many partners along this journey and all that we’ve accomplished together — from expanding the Commonwealth’s food assistance programs to growing our distribution network — to ensure that when our neighbors need food, they receive it. We’ve built a strong foundation and I’m confident the organization is well positioned to face the challenges ahead, with a deeply committed team, trusted partners, and resilient systems in place, ready to support the next generation of leadership in carrying this work forward with innovation, compassion, and courage. I remain hopeful and forever committed to GBFB’s mission, and I look forward to continuing to support our work in this new chapter.”

Since joining GBFB in 1995, D’Amato has elevated the conversation around hunger as an imperative issue in Massachusetts and beyond. Under her leadership, GBFB evolved from a regional food distributor into a nationally respected, health-focused, data-driven, and community-centered hunger relief organization built to endure and meet the needs of future generations. D’Amato has transformed GBFB into a $180 million charitable business, raising more than $500 million in philanthropic support and securing more than $500 million from the Commonwealth for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP).

D’Amato leaves a legacy of entrepreneurship and innovation, including founding the San Francisco Food Bank; leading the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, where she led the effort of the first food bank to purchase and operate its own farm; establishing the Hunger to Health Collaboratory; and increasing GBFB’s food distribution and quality from 7.5 million meals a year to over 90 million healthy meals today. She also positioned GBFB as a leader in nutrition by establishing the first food bank nutrition policy and integrating medical and registered dietitian expertise in the food bank’s operations. Under her leadership, GBFB focused on acquiring and distributing produce, protein and dairy and advanced innovative research and data tools, including the first annual statewide hunger study informed directly by people experiencing food insecurity.

D’Amato has secured major policy wins, including expanding the Commonwealth’s investment in the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP), championing universal school meals, access to school breakfast and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and building partnerships that address the intersection of hunger, health, and equity. Through strong public-private partnerships and the extraordinary generosity of donors and volunteers, D’Amato helped build one of the most effective and respected food banks in the country—leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire advocates, policymakers, and communities to see food as a basic human right.

“I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Catherine D’Amato over many years, and I’ve seen firsthand how her 30 years of leadership at The Greater Boston Food Bank set a national standard for addressing food insecurity with both compassion and rigor. By pairing deep community partnerships with data-driven policy solutions, Catherine helped position Massachusetts as a leader in advancing food security and equity statewide. Her leadership elevated hunger as a public policy priority, and her legacy will continue to shape how we care for families across Massachusetts.” – Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey

“Catherine’s vision, compassion, and a deep commitment to equity have positioned The Greater Boston Food Bank as one of the most forward-thinking and impactful food banks in the nation,” said Ted Truscott, Chair of the GBFB Board of Directors and CEO of Columbia Threadneedle. “Her leadership has not only transformed GBFB’s capacity and reach but also elevated the conversation about hunger and equity in Massachusetts and beyond. Catherine leaves the organization stronger, more resilient, and deeply aligned with its mission.”

The GBFB Board of Directors has launched a national search, led by Russell Reynolds Associates, to identify her successor. D’Amato will continue to lead the organization until a new CEO is appointed and oriented, ensuring a smooth and thoughtful transition.

The Greater Boston Food Bank remains deeply committed to its mission to end hunger here. With a dedicated team, statewide partnerships, and a clear vision for the future, the organization is well positioned to build on D’Amato’s legacy and continue its mission with innovation, equity, and purpose.

About The Greater Boston Food Bank
The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and one of the largest food banks in the country. For nearly half a century, GBFB has fueled Eastern Massachusetts’ hunger-relief system, putting over 90 million healthy meals on tables across the region each year. Over 600 community-based pantries and other local partners in 190 cities and towns depend on GBFB to provide access to healthy food for 600,000 people every month. GBFB is committed to the belief that access to healthy food is a human right regardless of an individual’s circumstances. Through policy, partnerships, and providing free, nutritious, and culturally responsive food, GBFB is committed to addressing the root causes of food insecurity while promoting racial, gender and economic equity in food access. Together, we have the power to end hunger here. For more information and to help us help others, visit us at GBFB.org, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram, or call us at 617.427.5200.

Media Contact:
Hilary Allard
The Castle Group
781-244-7797
hallard@thecastlegroup.com