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This Week's Episode

In this personal and warm conversation, meet Denis McDonough, the new CEO of Feeding America. Behind his impressive résumé is a listener, a servant leader and someone who believes deeply in the dignity and capacity of people.

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On This Episode

Denis McDonough has spent a lifetime in rooms where the stakes were enormous—but what stands out most is his humility, humor and deep instinct to serve. Raised as one of 11 children around a crowded Sunday dinner table, he learned early that community means making room for one more.

Now, after a remarkable career in public service, Denis has chosen hunger as his next challenge. Why? Because he believes it is a problem we can fix.

“The more I studied what’s going on in the country, the more obvious to me the centrality of hunger is to so much of what’s challenging us as a country.”

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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