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Feed the Children Adds Three Vice Presidents as Nonprofit Looks to Continue Growth

Feed the Children, a leading nonprofit focused on alleviating childhood hunger, is continuing its forward momentum into its next generation of growth and development with the addition of three vice presidents, each bringing extensive nonprofit experience to their new positions.

These additions will allow Feed the Children to continue to build awareness of the organization’s valuable role in the Non-Government Organization (NGO) sector as well as continue to provide food and resources for children and their families around the globe.

Anna Averling joins the organization as Vice President of Direct Marketing, bringing more than two decades of nonprofit marketing and fundraising experience. She previously led relationship marketing, midlevel giving, digital and direct response fundraising teams at American Bible Society.

Anna got her start in fundraising at Buckner International, a global nonprofit helping vulnerable children, families, and seniors. She went on to spend the next ten years of her career in marketing agencies dedicated to the nonprofit sector at firms such as KMA Direct Communications, Stratmark, and Douglas Shaw & Associates, as well as running her own consulting practice. Throughout this time Anna worked with many of the most recognized nonprofits in the country to help them accelerate impact on their missions through award winning data-driven and audience-centric strategies.

Actively engaged in the nonprofit marketing sector, Anna has just completed a term of service on the Advisory Council for the Association of National Advertisers’ Nonprofit Federation. She chaired the Awards committee, annually recognizing outstanding individuals and organizations for their use of data-driven marketing to advance their missions.

A native Oklahoman, Anna earned a bachelor of business administration in marketing from Baylor University.

Harper Grubbs brings almost 30 years of digital fundraising, marketing, strategy, and audience analytics experience to his new role as Vice President of Digital Fundraising and Transformation

He joins Feed the Children from Heifer International, a global development organization working to end hunger and poverty around the world by providing livestock and training to struggling communities, where he was responsible for creating and implementing the organization’s digital strategy.

Harper began his career in television and radio working behind the scenes for several stations in research, sales, and programming before pivoting to fundraising, first in radio, then as a web manager for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. He also served as the web analytics administrator for development teams at Verizon Wireless.

Harper received his bachelor of science degree in radio/television from Arkansas State University.

Tamara Sandberg is joining the organization as the new Vice President of U.S. Program Development. Tamara previously served as senior advisor for U.S. Food Security and Nutrition at Save the Children, supporting the global nonprofit’s emerging work to ensure children across rural America get the nutritious meals needed to succeed in school and life.

Prior to Save the Children, Tamara spent nearly a decade as the executive director of Feeding Kentucky, leading the nonprofit’s mission to end hunger in the Bluegrass State. Early in her career, Tamara held partnership development roles at Mountain Association for Community Economic Development in Berea, Ky. and Greater Wyoming Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Tamara earned a bachelor of science in anthropology and master of science in family and consumer sciences from the University of Wyoming. She is a recipient of the National Association of Secretaries of State medallion in recognition of her work to end hunger.

“We are excited to welcome Anna, Harper and Tamara to the Feed the Children team,” said Colleen Ridenhour, Chief Growth & Strategy Officer. “Each of these dynamic leaders bring a wealth of experience that will advance our strategy and allow us deliver greater impact to the families we serve. Their respective expertise will fuel our growth and ensure our increased contribution to reducing childhood hunger.”


About Feed the Children

Feed the Children is committed to ending childhood hunger. We believe that no child should go to bed hungry, and so we provide children and families in the U.S. and around the world with the food and essentials kids need to grow and thrive.

Through our programs and partnerships, we feed children today while helping their families and communities build resilient futures. In addition to food, we distribute household and personal care items across the United States to help parents and caregivers maintain stable, food-secure households. Internationally, we expand access to nutritious meals, safe water, improved hygiene and training in sustainable living. Responsible stewards of our resources, we are driven to pursue innovative, holistic and child-focused solutions to the complex challenges of hunger, food insecurity and poverty.

For children everywhere, we believe that having enough to eat is a fundamental right.

Feed the Children | no child should go to bed hungry


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