Jennifer Johnson to lead Loaves & Fishes

Jennifer Johnson's roles in fund development, marketing and communications, and volunteer management for Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes have served her well. Now she has been named executive director of the agency.

 

She will succeed Anne Wend Lipsey who has led Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes since 2003. Lipsey's retirement becomes effective March 28. In 2013, Lipsey announced her plan to retire and has been actively involved in the search for her successor.

 

Sam Lealofi, chairman of the agency's board of directors, says the board is excited about Johnson becoming the next executive director. "She has been an exceptional leader within the organization and is extremely committed to the KLF mission," Lealof says.

 

A Petoskey native, Johnson has lived in the Kalamazoo area for 12 years and been part of the Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes team since 2007. Prior to her work with Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, Johnson served as a part-time instructor at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Kellogg Community College, as well as in various training, customer relations and administrative roles in North Carolina, Illinois and Michigan. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in English language and literature, both at Central Michigan University.

 

"The need for a hunger-free community has never been more important," says Johnson. "We’ve made great progress due to Anne’s vision and leadership. At the same time, kids are going to school hungry every day, families don’t have enough to eat, and that ripples across our community."

 

Johnson said she’s eager to continue the work that Lipsey began. With her retirement, Lipsey concludes an association with KLF that began 30 years ago. She was one of its first office employees, a role she held from 1984 to 1991 after having served with Ministry With Community, the Center for City Housing and the Eastside Neighborhood Association.

 

"I’m proud to have been part of this wonderful, dedicated team at Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes," Lipsey says. "Together we’ve moved the organization from a basic food pantry to a strategic community partner addressing hunger and its impact on education, employment and health. KLF is in a great place for this transition, and I’m thrilled to see Jennifer take the reins."

 

KLF operates a Grocery Pantry Program of 25 permanent pantry sites, which provide emergency grocery assistance to individuals and families throughout Kalamazoo County. The organization also supports the meal programs at Ministry with Community, the YWCA’s Domestic Assault Program, and supplemental food distribution through a number of local human service providers.