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This Week's Episode

Leadership isn’t just about getting it right—it’s about how you show up when it matters most.

In this episode of Food Secure Nation, Dan Flowers—CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and one of the most respected voices in the Feeding America network—joins Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson for a candid, deeply human conversation about what it really takes to lead. With nearly three decades in the work, Dan unpacks the tension between conviction and collaboration, the power of relationships, and the courage required to navigate an increasingly divided world. If you care about leadership that lasts—and work that brings people together—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

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On This Episode

Dan Flowers brings more than experience to this conversation—he brings heart, conviction, and nearly 30 years of hard-earned wisdom from inside the work of food banking. In this powerful episode of Food Secure Nation, Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson sit down with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank CEO and recent John Van Hengel Award recipient to explore leadership as both science and art—the systems and discipline that matter, and the human instincts, humility, and courage that make it last. From his early days in Flint to becoming one of the most respected voices in the Feeding America network, Dan reflects on the journey that helped him discover not just a career, but a calling.

This episode goes far beyond résumé and recognition. Dan opens up about the real tensions of leadership—when to fight for your perspective, when to yield to the group, how to recover from mistakes, and why relationships, trust, and second chances are the true markers of lasting influence. His reflections are candid, grounded, and deeply human, revealing a leadership style rooted not in control, but in stewardship, accountability, and how you show up for others.

The conversation also looks forward, tackling what has not changed—and what must—if the hunger-relief field is to remain strong. Dan challenges the growing divisions shaping our culture and makes a compelling case for protecting food security as work that can still unite people across differences. Thoughtful, honest, and deeply inspiring, this episode is a masterclass in leadership—and a reminder that while the science gets us started, it’s the art of leading with courage, humility, and love that truly moves people and changes lives.

When I saw my own extended family in the people being served, that’s when I knew—this is what I want to do with my life.

Dan Flowers

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This Week's Guests

Dan Flowers

Dan Flowers is the President & CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and a nationally respected leader within the Feeding America network. With nearly 30 years of experience in food banking, Dan has built a career grounded in both operational excellence and a deep commitment to the people this work serves. His leadership journey began in Flint, Michigan, where he discovered his calling while working directly with frontline hunger-relief partners—an experience that continues to shape his perspective today.

In 2025, Dan was honored with the John Van Hengel Award, the highest recognition in the Feeding America network, celebrating a lifetime of impact, leadership, and service. Known for his thoughtful, candid approach, Dan is widely regarded as a leader who brings both conviction and humility to complex challenges—willing to advocate fiercely for his perspective while remaining deeply committed to collaboration and shared outcomes.

Dan’s leadership is defined not just by results, but by relationships. He believes lasting impact is built on trust, accountability, and second chances, and that the true measure of leadership is how you show up—for your team, your community, and the people you serve. His work continues to influence conversations nationally on the future of food banking, the role of surplus food, and the importance of keeping people at the center of every decision.

Dan Flowers

President & CEO

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Dan Flowers

President & CEO

Dan Flowers is the President & CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and a nationally respected leader within the Feeding America network. With nearly 30 years of experience in food banking, Dan has built a career grounded in both operational excellence and a deep commitment to the people this work serves. His leadership journey began in Flint, Michigan, where he discovered his calling while working directly with frontline hunger-relief partners—an experience that continues to shape his perspective today.

In 2025, Dan was honored with the John Van Hengel Award, the highest recognition in the Feeding America network, celebrating a lifetime of impact, leadership, and service. Known for his thoughtful, candid approach, Dan is widely regarded as a leader who brings both conviction and humility to complex challenges—willing to advocate fiercely for his perspective while remaining deeply committed to collaboration and shared outcomes.

Dan’s leadership is defined not just by results, but by relationships. He believes lasting impact is built on trust, accountability, and second chances, and that the true measure of leadership is how you show up—for your team, your community, and the people you serve. His work continues to influence conversations nationally on the future of food banking, the role of surplus food, and the importance of keeping people at the center of every decision.

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