Welcome Kari Jorgensen Diener, Our New CEO

A Leader with Local Roots and Global Perspective

After an extensive national search, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is proud to announce that Kari Jorgensen Diener will join us as our new CEO, beginning August 4.

Kari brings more than 25 years of experience leading mission-driven, community-centered organizations with a focus on humanitarian response, food security, and building stronger, more resilient communities. Her deep commitment to service and her track record of visionary, collaborative leadership make her the right person to lead the Food Bank in this moment—and into the future.

Most recently, Kari has served as Executive Director of the Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative, where she leads a global network of more than 350 organizations dedicated to improving the lives of refugees through effective policy, research, and practice. Though her work has taken her across the globe, Kari lives here in the Shenandoah Valley and is actively engaged in our local community. She serves as Chair of the Board of Gift and Thrift in Harrisonburg and volunteers as a mentor to refugee families supported by Church World Service.

Prior to her work with RSRI, Kari held senior leadership roles with international nonprofits, including Mercy Corps and Global Communities. While with Mercy Corps in Jordan, she oversaw a $90 million portfolio of humanitarian and development programs, many focused on food security and supporting vulnerable families.

Kari holds a B.A. in Political Science from Bates College and an M.A. in Arab Studies with a certificate in Refugee and Humanitarian Emergencies from Georgetown University, where she is also an affiliated Scholar at the Institute for the Study of International Migration. She is fluent in Arabic and conversant in Turkish.

Outside of work, Kari enjoys playing oboe with the Eastern Mennonite University community orchestra and cheering on her sons at baseball games around the Valley.

Looking ahead

Kari shares our vision of Nourishing food and good health—for everyone, every day. And, she is passionate about continuing the work of eliminating disparities in access to nutritious food, improving community health, and supporting household financial stability. We are confident that under her leadership, the Food Bank and our collective impact will grow stronger.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Kari to the Food Bank family.

Welcome Kari Jorgensen Diener, Our New CEO

A Leader with Local Roots and Global Perspective

Looking ahead

Latest News

Press Release: Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Receives More than 91,000 Pounds of Food from Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

Press Release: Summer Program Begins for Children Who Are Food Insecure

[WATCH] News Nation Now | Food banks under a ‘great deal’ of strain with cuts

Press Release: Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Receives More than 91,000 Pounds of Food from Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

Press Release: Summer Program Begins for Children Who Are Food Insecure

[WATCH] News Nation Now | Food banks under a ‘great deal’ of strain with cuts