Raleigh, N.C., May 4, 2017 — Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now), an international hunger relief organization, announces two additions to senior management to support impact growth and global operations. Peggy Shriver has been named Chief Development Officer (CDO) and Larry Shepherd has been named as the organization’s first Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Both executives join Rise Against Hunger to help meet the goal of ending hunger by the year 2030 and to support the organization’s projected growth. Rod Brooks, President & CEO, said, “We’ve developed an ambitious goal for our growth, to implement a program framework that includes dramatically expanding our meal packaging program to produce 1 billion meals, undertaking projects that increase local food production and access to food, and addressing hunger and poverty from its root causes for a sustainable end to hunger in our lifetime.”
Rise Against Hunger’s volunteer-based meal packaging program, which provided life-changing meals to partner organizations in more than 30 countries in 2016, has expanded to engage more than 376,000 volunteers in 20 cities throughout the United States, as well as in five countries internationally. In 2016, Rise Against Hunger meals nourished more than 1 million lives around the world.
Peggy Shriver to Lead Fundraising Initiatives
Peggy Shriver brings 25 years of nonprofit management and fundraising experience to the organization. As Chief Development Officer, Shriver is responsible for overseeing fundraising operations to fund projects that increase food production and access to food for a sustainable end to hunger in our lifetime.
Shriver was formerly Senior Director of the V Foundation, and has served in fundraising leadership positions at Easter Seals, Special Olympics and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She has raised more than $650 million for people with special needs, life-threatening diseases and underserved populations.
Brooks noted, “Peggy Shriver has tremendous expertise in individual giving, corporate sponsorships, special events and cause-marketing promotions – experience that is invaluable to our efforts to engage donors in our mission to end hunger.” She is credited for leading the design and development of Easter Seals’ signature event “Walk With Me,” now executed nationwide, as well as piloting the American Dental Association’s national Bone Marrow Drive in the fight against blood cancer. Working with Special Olympics on a global level, she was actively involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run coordinating fundraising campaigns with officers from 40 countries and culminating at the World Games.
Shriver holds degrees in print journalism, broadcasting and marketing from Trinity University and is a certified fundraising executive.
Retired Army Officer Larry Shepherd Takes Helm as First Chief Operating Officer
Larry Shepherd has been named Chief Operating Officer for Rise Against Hunger. Shepherd is responsible for leading global growth and managing operational and administrative aspects of the organization, including global operations, technology solutions and services, people operations, community engagement and process improvement.
Shepherd is a retired Army Officer who brings 24 years of experience leading effective teams throughout the United States, Germany, Bosnia, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. During his military career, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished service; led as many as 1,200 servicemen and women as a Deputy Brigade Commander; and was recognized as the #1 Deputy Director at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He is passionate about leadership development and mentorship and has coached youth football and baseball programs in his community.
Shepherd holds a M.A. in military arts & science (leadership & strategy) from the U.S. Army Command and General Officer Staff College and a B.A. in political science from Central Washington University. He is an assistant professor at the United States Military Academy (USMA) and completed the two-year Master Teacher Certification Program, also offered at USMA.
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About Rise Against Hunger
Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now), an international hunger relief organization based in Raleigh, N.C., works to implement immediate and long-term solutions to hunger worldwide. With program locations in 20 U.S. cities and five international offices, Rise Against Hunger has engaged volunteers to package more than 320 million nutrient-rich meals for distribution to 74 countries around the globe.