Monique (Ellsworth) Kelley has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin effective June 1.
She was selected following a comprehensive nationwide search conducted in partnership with Kittleman & Associates.
Kelley brings more than 14 years of leadership experience across nonprofit organizations. Most recently, Kelley served as chief executive officer of Second Harvest of the Big Bend, a regional food bank in Tallahassee, Florida, where she led strategy, operations, and partnerships across a 16-county service area. Under her leadership, the organization distributed more than 20 million pounds of food annually, completed a successful capital campaign and facility expansion, and advanced initiatives designed to increase equitable access to nutritious food across the region.
“Monique is exactly the leader this moment calls for,” said Barclay Ferguson, chair of Feeding American Eastern Wisconsin’s Board of Directors. “She brings deep nonprofit expertise and a genuine passion for mission-driven work. Her leadership will strengthen our ability to build new partnerships, expand our reach, and deliver meaningful, measurable impact for the communities we serve.”
Prior to her work in the Feeding America network, Kelley served as CEO of CESC, Inc., where she oversaw a $5 million budget and a team of 70 staff delivering emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive health services across eight counties. Her earlier career includes leadership roles focused on program development, community engagement, and volunteer management.
“I’m honored to join Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and to work alongside the dedicated staff, partners, and volunteers who make this work possible every day,” said Kelley. “Together, we have the opportunity to build on a strong foundation and move forward with purpose, innovation, and a shared commitment to ensuring every neighbor has access to the food they need to thrive.”
Kelley holds a master of social work from Florida State University and a bachelor of arts in health sciences from the University of Florida. She is actively engaged in community leadership, currently serving on the boards of CareerSource Capital Area, Feeding Florida, and United Partners for Human Services. She has also contributed as an instructor at Florida State University’s College of Social Work, teaching courses focused on homelessness, substance use, and public policy issues.
