(Naperville, IL –July 2, 2024) Loaves & Fishes Community Services is very pleased to announce the appointment of four new board members: Michael Mitchem, Alex Pope, Dr. Amy Stoeffler, and Karen Wells.
Michael Mitchem has been in the food industry his entire career and currently serves as the General Manager of Cargill North America’s Protein Distribution Facility in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, where he oversees a high-performing team and continues to grow and lead in commercial excellence. Michael is a graduate of Kansas State University.
Alex Pope serves as the Chief Development Officer and Vice President of Philanthropy & Community Engagement at Rush Copley Medical Center. His nonprofit service and career spans more than 30 years – all in institutional advancement. His entire career has been spent with regional and national “hub-and-spoke” organizations, including RUSH, Advocate Health Care, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Alex leads the planning, process and implementation of the Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan.
Dr. Amy Stoeffler, an esteemed OB/GYN with over 30 years of experience, has delivered approximately 10,000 babies. For the past seven years, Dr. Stoeffler has chaired the Charitable Fund for Duly, working closely with nonprofits like Loaves and Fishes. She earned her degree in oceanography from the University of Michigan before joining the Peace Corps. Amy spent four years in the Philippines working in fisheries and as a volunteer leader, followed by three years in the Peace Corps Chicago office. She then pursued a medical career, practicing in Chicago and Naperville.
Karen S. Wells has successfully held key leadership roles in a Fortune 500 company, multiple C-suite roles in nonprofits, and as an entrepreneur and small business owner. Karen is the Chief Operations Officer and Inclusion Officer for Make-A-Wish America. Prior to joining Make-A-Wish America, Karen served as the CEO of Bridge Communities. Karen has also held various multi-disciplined VP positions at the McDonald’s Corporation, spanning a 20-year career. Based on her passion for philanthropy and inspirational storytelling, and guided by her thought leadership in diversity, equity & inclusion, Karen founded her consulting boutique, The AIW Group.
“We are honored to welcome these extraordinary individuals to our Board of Directors,” said Mike Havala, President and CEO of Loaves & Fishes. “As we continue to build a strong foundation and future for Loaves & Fishes, their diverse professional experiences and perspectives will be invaluable in driving our mission forward.”
About Loaves and Fishes Community Services
Loaves & Fishes Community Services is a registered 501(3) organization serving over 9,000 people a week by providing healthy food and impactful programs for self-sufficiency. It is the largest food pantries in the state of Illinois. Clients receive a healthy variety of food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, and eggs. The Loaves & Fishes CARES programs help clients become self-sufficient through opportunities such as emergency assistance for rent or utilities, assistance with public benefits, car donations, tax preparation, job readiness, budget, and credit classes, and Moving Up, a 16-session intensive to help clients overcome barriers preventing them from becoming self-sufficient. Loaves & Fishes serves DuPage, Will, Kane, and Kendall counties, with a total population of 2.3 million people. Loaves & Fishes Grocery Market and administrative offices are located in Naperville, and their Food Distribution Hub is located in Aurora. For more information, visit loaves-fishes.org.