Children’s Hunger Alliance, a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to fighting childhood hunger, announces that Michelle Moskowitz Brown has been tapped as the new President and CEO. Brown will be the eighth CEO in CHA’s over 50 plus year history.
Michelle Moskowitz Brown has spent the past 27 years in the not-for-profit sector. Recently, as Executive Director at Local Matters (a non-profit organization located in Columbus, Ohio), Brown focused on growing organizational impact, increasing education and access to nutritious and affordable foods, and advocating for policies aligned with their mission of creating healthier communities. Her additional achievements while at Local Matters include developing a start-up organization into a renowned community anchor, leading the development of the Columbus & Franklin County Local Food Action Plan in partnership with Commissioner O’Grady and Councilmember Tyson, building headquarters and a community kitchen, advocating for food benefits like SNAP, supporting the growth of up-and-coming food organizations, and bringing a technology enabled produce prescription program to Columbus in support of families in the Linden neighborhood.
Brown is the immediate past chair of the Ohio Food Policy Network (OFPN), which she helped build as a statewide coalition dedicated to a food system that supports and serves all Ohioans. She is also a former member of the Columbus & Franklin County Local Food Board.
“I’m thrilled to join the Children’s Hunger Alliance team to advance the vision that every child in Ohio has the food they need to fuel their bodies and minds,” said Brown.
Prior to starting her work with Local Matters in 2011, she managed not-for-profit organizations and programs with a focus on arts and community development in her hometown of New York City, including Dancing in the Streets, BRIC Arts/Media/Bklyn, and the Foundation for Jewish Culture.
Brown completed a Graduate Certificate in Public Management at OSU’s Glenn College, holds a BA from Antioch College, and she studied Urban Planning at NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service.
“The Children’s Hunger Alliance Board of Directors is thrilled to welcome Michelle as our new CEO,” said Aaron Ockerman, Governing Board Chair. “Michelle is a dynamic and proven leader and we are confident she will continue to build upon CHA’s recent successes and momentum. She is fully committed to our mission to feed hungry children and we are excited for her to begin her work.”
Brown comes to CHA following the announcement in August of current President and CEO, Judy Mobley’s retirement. Mobley joined CHA in April of 2016 after a 30-year career at Battelle. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded many programs that support the needs of hungry children throughout Ohio.
Mobley led the expansion of CHA’s sponsorship of USDA federal nutrition programs from afterschool and in-home childcare providers to include childcare centers and summer meal programs. During her tenure, CHA added other programs to provide food to children such as the Weekend Meal Program, the Adopt-a-School Program, and was instrumental in the creation of a partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital Primary Care clinics in high-need areas. Recently, through Mobley’s efforts, the state has included CHA in the 2024-2025 biennial budget with an investment of $7.5 million.
“I’ve been fortunate to have dedicated staff and a supportive Board these past seven years,” said Mobley. “I’m extremely proud of what we have accomplished together.”
Over 386,000 Ohio children live in a food-insecure household, meaning they are unsure of when they will have their next meal. Over the years, CHA has expanded its partnerships and the number of sites providing meals to meet the growing need for their services. With its 1,400 partners, CHA serves approximately 9.5 million meals to Ohio’s children annually in afterschool programs, summer programs, family childcare homes, childcare centers, and through its weekend meal program.