Food Bank Council of Michigan Announces Executive Team Changes

The Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) recently announced that veteran food bank executive Marsha Keefer has joined the organization as its new chief operating officer and Dr. Dawn Opel, who formerly served as the Council’s chief operating officer and general counsel, has been promoted to chief innovation officer. She remains in her role as general counsel.

“These executive team changes add to the Council’s already best-in-class executive team,” FBCM executive director Dr. Phil Knight. “Food insecurity is a serious concern both on the national and state level. Strengthening our team with these two experienced leaders will help the Council continue to work toward creating a food secure state through advocacy, resource management, and collaboration among stakeholders and Michigan’s unified food bank network.”

As the chief operating officer, Keefer will be responsible for managing day-to-day operations as well as providing strategic advice for the organization. Before joining FBCM, Keefer spent five years with the South Michigan Food Bank, most recently serving at its chief operating officer. Other positions she held at South Michigan Food Bank include community impact director and food sourcing manager.  Prior to joining South Michigan Food Bank, Keefer worked for 18 years for Meijer, Inc. in a variety of capacities including store manager, team/lines leader, supermarket general manager, and customer service.

“The deep experience Marsha brings to this role is exactly what the Council needs to take our work to the next level,” said Dr. Knight. “Her knowledge of the food bank network, coupled with her many years of management experience, make her the perfect fit as the chief operating officer for FBCM.”

Dr. Opel, who most recently served as FBCM’s chief operating officer and general counsel, has been promoted to chief innovation officer and general counsel. A lawyer and a researcher, her career has included positions in academic, nonprofit, and government sectors, and broadly, in this new position she works to build strategic partnerships for social innovation.

“Promoting Dr. Opel to the chief innovation officer position allows her to focus her research skills in the areas we need them most,” said Dr. Knight. “Her particular focus is addressing food insecurity as a social determinant of health; specifically developing capacity in Michigan for food-as-medicine interventions in the clinical setting.”

More information about the members of the Food Bank Council of Michigan Board of Directors can be found on the Food Bank Council’s website.