Gerry Brisson has served as President and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan since 2014. A strong advocate for the community’s most vulnerable residents, he has dedicated his professional life to improving food security. Brisson believes hunger can be solved – and the impact of addressing this problem brings greater stability, health, and empowerment to families.

Gleaners was recognized in 2019 as Feeding America’s Food Bank of The Year, reflecting the bold vision Brisson has set for the food bank’s future and changing the conversation about solving hunger. Gleaners was among the first food banks in the U.S. to establish programs to address the link between food insecurity and health. Under his leadership, Gleaners has formed partnerships with health care institutions, education leaders, and corporations, leading to an understanding of the benefits of realizing food security for patients, students, customers, and employees.

Brisson chairs the Food Bank Council of Michigan, serving his sixth year in that role, working side-by-side with Executive Director Dr. Phil Knight and the CEO’s of the six other Michigan food banks to create a food secure state and unified food bank network through advocacy, resource management, and collaboration. Brisson and Dr. Knight host a weekly podcast, Food First on News/Talk 760 WJR, that features innovative leaders from government, industry and nonprofit organizations sharing ideas and, more importantly, solutions to end food insecurity. 

Brisson has lived in Southeast Michigan for 38 years, is married to Katie Brisson, who is vice president of programs at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, and has four children.