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This Week's Episode

In the second of our two conversations with Feeding America CEO Denis McDonough, the focus turns from the person to the work—and to a strikingly optimistic premise: hunger in America is a problem we can solve.

Denis describes Feeding America’s strategic framework as both practical and impatient. Practical because the network already has the food, the people, the partnerships, and the infrastructure to make a difference. Impatient because families facing hunger cannot wait for systems to catch up.

 

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On This Episode

At the center of the strategy is the neighbor. People experiencing hunger are not simply recipients of help; they are partners in creating solutions. That conviction shapes everything from food sourcing and fresh produce to measurement, accountability, and how the network defines success.

For Denis, success is not simply distributing more food. It is shortening the line.

The conversation ultimately becomes a case for moving beyond managing hunger toward solving it—by listening better, working together, measuring what matters, and scaling what works.

“We need to be impatient on behalf of those hardworking families that are fighting through hunger every day.”

Denis McDonough, CEO of Feeding America

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This Week's Guest

Denis McDonough

Denis McDonough has spent decades in public service, including serving as White House Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama and as U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He has also held senior national security and congressional roles and worked in academia and strategic advisory positions. In April 2026, he became CEO of Feeding America, bringing his experience managing large organizations and public-sector initiatives to the fight against hunger.

Denis McDonough

Denis McDonough, CEO of Feeding America

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Denis McDonough

Denis McDonough, CEO of Feeding America

A lifelong public servant, McDonough has devoted his career to improving the lives of the American people through large-scale systems change and measurable results. From the White House to the Department of Veterans Affairs, his leadership has been guided by a deep respect for the dignity of all people, a commitment to serving all communities, and a relentless focus on results — a belief that service is not a role to hold, but a responsibility to fulfill.

As Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, McDonough championed efforts that expanded benefits, improved care and delivered services to veterans who had long been overlooked. He bridged partisan divides by reflecting a steadfast commitment to honoring the nation’s promise to those who served and caring for their families with dignity, urgency and impact.

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