Melissa began her stint as CEO July 2021 and becomes just the second CEO in the history of the Great Plains Food Bank. A veteran of hunger-relief, Melissa began her work with the Great Plains Food Bank in 2007 working with programs and agency relations and helped launch some of the organization’s most effective programs. She served as president from July of 2019 until being named CEO and previously served as director of the Ending Hunger 2.0 initiative, which focuses on long-term solutions and prevention to food insecurity. Melissa has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Concordia College and previously served on the Fargo City Commission and the North Dakota League of Cities Board of Directors.
Mark Lang started his work as operations director with the Great Plains Food Bank in February of 2020 where he oversees all aspects of the operations team responsible for recovering and distributing more than 15 million pounds of food to those in need annually. Mark has brought a wealth of experience in team building, staff supervision and training, supply chain management, facility management, route scheduling, inventory management, customer service, safety programs, risk management and budgeting to the Great Plains Food Bank in a career that has spanned multiple decades. He previously served as operations manager for Mac’s Inc. and as warehouse manager/facility leader for DISH Network.
Email: mlang@greatplainsfoodbank.org
Engaging and mobilizing the community around the solvable problem of hunger in North Dakota and western Minnesota is a challenge Marcia takes seriously. “I believe ending hunger is a shared responsibility and that together we can make a huge impact on the lives of those who are currently hungry, or at risk of hunger.” Marcia’s passion for equality has led her to hold both paid and volunteer positions within the nonprofit community for the past twenty years around the issues of hunger, poverty, racism, affordable housing, homelessness and violence prevention. Marcia holds a degree in Speech Communication from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks and a degree in Social Work from Minnesota State University, Moorhead.
Email: mpaulson@greatplainsfoodbank.org
Janelle began as the Great Plains Food Bank program director in April 2022 where she oversees the development, implementation, administration and evaluation of the organization’s childhood, senior, family and rural hunger-relief programs. She also works closely with the operations team to help ensure the delivery of services to a statewide network of partner food pantries and feeding programs. Prior to her work with Great Plains Food Bank, Janelle was the manager of women’s community programs for Sanford Health and the wellness and lifestyle medicine supervisor at Sanford Health Plan. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and has served on the City of Moorhead Park Advisory Board representing Ward 1 since 2017.
Kate began her journey with the Great Plains Food Bank in May of 2021. As chief operating officer, she oversees the day-to-day functions of multiple Great Plains Food Bank departments including operations, programs and agency services and accounting and finance. This is in addition to assisting with the overall strategic vision for the organization. Prior to her work in hunger-relief, Kate gained extensive experience in finance, economics and business administration working for Target, PwC and RDO Equipment Company. She received a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from the University of Saint Thomas and both an M.B.A. and master’s degree in information systems from Boston University – School of Management.
Email: kmolbert@greatplainsfoodbank.org
Taylor first started her work with the Great Plains Food Bank by overseeing the Hunger in North Dakota 2018 study, which was a comprehensive study of 500 food insecure clients in our region. She was then hired as the Ending Hunger 2.0 impact manager in October of 2018 and was promoted to director in January of 2022. As the director of Ending Hunger 2.0, Taylor facilitates solutions to improve community health and food insecurity conditions across North Dakota and Clay County, Minn. Prior to joining the Great Plains Food Bank, Taylor held positions as community development research assistant and teaching assistant with North Dakota State University (NDSU) and worked with Ulteig Engineers as part of their administrative services team. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from NDSU.
David started with Great Plains Food Bank in February of 2022. As Chief Financial Officer, he oversees the finance and accounting, information technology, inventory and administration needs for the organization. Prior to coming to Great Plains Food Bank, David gained valuable experience in tax, finance and business at Eide Bailly and RDO Equipment Co. He holds a bachelor of accountancy degree from North Dakota State University.