From the Community FoodBank of New Jersey:
Karen Leies of the Community Foodbank of New Jersey
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey has announced the hiring of Karen Leies as the organization’s Vice President of Development.
Leies, a fundraising professional, comes to CFBNJ from New York City Ballet, where she served as the Senior Director of Development and Special Events since 2011. Prior to joining NYCB, Leies was the Vice President of Development at the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and worked at Jazz at Lincoln Center as the Director of Development.
Debra Vizzi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, said, “All of us at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey are looking forward to the capable leadership that Karen brings to our team. Her commitment to our mission, and her extraordinary results as a development leader, will have tremendous impact. Karen’s impressive experience and track record will help the organization make tremendous strides to alleviate the plight of the hungry.”
Leies said, “I am happy and honored to be joining the CFBNJ team. As a longtime New Jersey resident, I’ve admired the Community FoodBank’s tireless work in the fight against hunger and poverty. As a mother, I’m especially motivated by the one in five children in our state facing hunger right now, and welcome the opportunity to be part of the effort to make that number zero.”
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey is expanding the quantity and quality of the food it distributes as part of a strategic plan that includes dramatically reducing the number of hungry children in the state. Working with all stakeholders, Leies will lead CFBNJ’s fundraising efforts to strengthen the organization’s ability to meet its goals. Currently employing more than 200 people, and raising more than 14 million dollars annually, CFBNJ has been honored with Charity Navigator’s top 4-star rating for seven years in a row, something only 2% of charities achieve.
Leies, a graduate of Ithaca College, resides in South Orange, New Jersey.
ABOUT CFBNJ: The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, a member of Feeding America, distributes food to more than 1,000 partner charities including pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, mobile pantries, and child and senior feeding programs. CFBNJ distributes more than 44 million pounds of food a year, and more than 4.7 million times a year, someone in need is fed by CFBNJ’s network of partner charities. CFBNJ’s mission is to fight hunger in New Jersey by assisting those in need and seeking long-term solutions. We will empower all sectors of society in this battle.
