After nearly seven years of transformative leadership, Feeding Northeast Florida’s President & CEO, Susan King has announced her retirement later this year.
Susan’s history here at Feeding Northeast Florida runs deep. She was a founding board member when we were established in 2014 and officially took the helm as CEO in 2019. While we will dearly miss her vision and compassion, she leaves the food bank in a position of unprecedented strength.
A Legacy of Transformational Growth
Under Susan’s leadership, FNEFL grew from serving 8 counties to providing nourishment for 12 counties in Northeast and North Central Florida. She guided our community through the hardest days of the pandemic and spearheaded major initiatives that will shape our region for decades, including:
- Project SHARE: A critical COVID-19 pandemic initiative that partnered with local restaurants and Florida Blue to distribute thousands of meals while supporting displaced hospitality workers.
- The Corner Market: Launching our mobile pantry program to bring fresh food directly to the neighborhoods that need it most.
- Strategic Expansion: Leading the 2023 merger with Gainesville-based Bread of the Mighty Food Bank.
- A New Home for Hope: Developing our new $27 million Jacksonville headquarters, which more than doubled our storage and distribution capacity.
- Focus on Health: Establishing a dedicated nutrition department and creating the Florida Blue Community Kitchen and Culinary Center.
What’s Next for Feeding Northeast Florida?
Our day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives will continue completely uninterrupted. Susan will remain in her role until a successor is identified and onboarded to ensure a seamless transition. A Board-appointed search committee is already underway with the goal of naming our next leader by the end of 2026.
“Together, we have built something far bigger than a food bank. We have built a mission-driven organization focused on dignity, innovation and hope.”
— Susan King
Please join our staff of 96, our 420+ partner agencies, and our Board of Directors in thanking Susan for her incredible service to Northeast and North Central Florida. We are excited for our next chapter as we continue expanding innovative solutions to address hunger, health, and economic opportunity.
Media & Stakeholders: You can read and download the official press release here.
