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The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is proud to welcome Kari Jorgensen Diener as our new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With more than 25 years of leadership experience working in humanitarian organizations around the world, Kari brings to her new role a powerful combination of robust collaboration experience, deep compassion, and a lifelong commitment to service.
Throughout her career, Kari has led efforts to end poverty, strengthen food security, and build community resilience in diverse settings—from rural South Sudan to refugee programs in Jordan and social service agencies in the United States.
Kari discovered her passion for humanitarian activities at an early age. Raised in a family that valued volunteerism, she recalls collecting canned goods for school food drives as a child, helping with Habitat for Humanity, or playing music for residents at a local retirement community.
“As a professional, I have endeavored to give back to my community whenever possible, and to focus on mutual respect and service to others in everything that I do,” Kari said.
“I regularly reflect on these values as a personal north star for my work and interactions with others. My work as CEO of the Food Bank will also reflect this commitment.”