AUBURN — Kristen Miale has announced she will step down as president of Good Shepherd Food Bank on June 30, the end of the organization’s fiscal year. Miale has led the Food Bank since 2012 and has guided the organization through substantial growth and change during her tenure.

Kristen Miale Good Shepherd Food Bank photo

A statement from the Food Bank said she will be exploring opportunities while the Food Bank’s board of directors take on a nationwide search to fill the role.  

Under Miale’s leadership, the Food Bank has grown its food distribution from 10.7 million meals in 2010 to 29 million meals last year, with a focus on improving access to nutritious and culturally relevant foods. In addition, the organization has expanded the network of organizations it partners with, as community organizations better understand local needs.

“Good Shepherd Food Bank is incredibly fortunate to have had Kristen at the helm for such a long period of time,” Ben Sprague, chairman of the board of directors, said. “Kristen and her leadership team have brought ending hunger to the forefront in Maine and have elevated the organization’s reach and impact in terms of closing Maine’s meal gap and addressing the root causes of hunger.”   

In a statement, Miale said she is “incredibly proud of the work we’ve done over the past 10 years. 

“We have shifted the organization’s focus from simply distributing surplus food,” she said, “to improving access to nutritious and culturally relevant food. And from talking about hunger as an individual issue to acknowledging that hunger is rooted in systemic inequities and injustices that cause and perpetuate poverty. I have learned so much from this experience and the people with whom I’ve had the privilege of working.”  

Sprague said directors have formed a committee to lead the search for a new president, which he anticipates will be a highly sought-after position.   

“While it will be hard to see such a talented leader and passionate visionary leave the organization in June, we are excited for Kristen as she explores what is next for her career, and we have great confidence in the entire Good Shepherd Food Bank team to continue its impactful work,” Sprague said. “The talent of the team here and the exceptional partnerships we’ve established across the state and country will make this a very attractive position for a person who has a passion for ending hunger in Maine.”  

Before Miale became president, she worked for over a decade in the private equity and business consulting fields. After volunteering for hunger relief organizations, she decided to make her passion for ending hunger her occupation. Miale founded and ran Cooking Matters Maine, a cooking and nutrition education program, created by the national Cooking Matters organization and implemented through Good Shepherd Food Bank for low-income families.

In the release, Miale said she believes now is the right time for her to hand the reins to a new leader.   

“The Food Bank has never been in a stronger position in terms of partners, resources, staff and board leadership,” she said. “At the same time, the organization is in the midst of strategic planning for the future, and it’s the right time for a new leader to step in to join our team, partners, and communities and help guide the Food Bank as it continues its mission of ending hunger in Maine. There is much work to be done, and I’m excited to see how the organization continues to grow and partner with communities and Mainers statewide.”