Blessings in a Backpack Announces a New CEO

August 20, 2012 – Today, Louisville-based Blessings in a Backpack announces it has selected Brooke Wiseman as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Wiseman served most recently as the Chief Development and Marketing Officer for the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, a chapter of the YWCA, the oldest and largest multicultural women's organization in the world. Prior to her work with the YWCA, Wiseman served as the president of New Knowledge Consulting and was an instructor/lecturer at Kellogg School of Management. Wiseman’s nonprofit background also includes the Girl Scouts of Chicago, where she successfully completed a $4 million capital campaign.

“We are thrilled to have Brooke Wiseman join us as CEO of Blessings in a Backpack,” said Doug Meijer, a member of the Blessings in a Backpack National Board of Directors. “She comes to us with over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit world, most of which was in a leadership capacity.  In particular, Brooke has demonstrated her passion for serving the needs of children and families throughout her career.  We believe she is a fantastic addition to our organization.” 

In her role as CEO, Wiseman will be responsible for a fundraising strategy designed to support the growth of Blessings in a Backpack programs throughout the U.S. and creating a long range vision for the organization.

“I am thrilled and humbled to work on the behalf of children across the country,” said Wiseman.  “The opportunity to work in tandem with the Board of Directors, volunteers and staff to increase Blessings in a Backpack’s impact across the United States is a dream come true for me! No child should ever know what it is like to go hungry. My goal is to increase awareness on this issue so that together we can combat childhood hunger across the United States.”