Food Bank Council of Michigan Announces Retirement of CEO Dr. Phil Knight After Decade of Transformational Leadership
The Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) today announced that Dr. Phillip “Phil” Knight, the organization’s chief executive officer since November 2014, will retire at the end of September 2026.
Over more than a decade of leadership, Dr. Knight helped strengthen FBCM’s statewide hunger-relief network, advancing coordination across all 83 Michigan counties and improving access to nutritious food for more than 1.6 million Michiganders each year. During his tenure, the organization experienced meaningful growth, not only in scale but in strength.
Under Dr. Knight’s leadership, FBCM became a more connected and aligned network. Relationships deepened across member food banks, trust strengthened internally and externally, and partnerships expanded across sectors. As that health took root, the organization grew in both its capacity and its consistency, delivering results at a higher level across the state. We didn’t grow because we got bigger — we got bigger because we got healthier.
That growth is reflected in the strength of the team in place today. FBCM now has experienced professionals leading at every level of the organization, positioning the Council and its statewide network for continued success well into the future.
Dr. Knight also helped elevate the voice and influence of Michigan’s hunger-relief network at both the state and national levels. He served on Feeding America’s National Advisory Committee and the Public Engagement Advisory Committee, contributing to national strategy and engagement efforts across the country’s largest charitable food network. In 2019, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Dr. Knight as the inaugural chair of the Michigan Food Security Council, where he helped shape a coordinated, statewide approach to addressing hunger.
In 2017, Dr. Knight launched Food First Michigan, an award-winning weekly radio show and podcast on WJR 760 AM, helping elevate public understanding of food insecurity and broaden the conversation around solutions.
“Phil Knight’s leadership has left a lasting mark on this organization and on hunger-relief efforts across Michigan,” said Kara Ross, chair of FBCM’s board of directors. “He strengthened this network in ways that will endure well beyond his tenure, and we are deeply grateful for his service.”
Dr. Knight reflected on the principle that guided his leadership.
“Healthy things grow,” Knight said. “Over the past decade, we focused on building a healthy organization: strong relationships, real trust, and a shared commitment to the people we serve. As that health grew, everything else followed. Our capacity grew. Our team grew. Our influence grew.”
“What gives me the greatest confidence as I step away is not just what we’ve accomplished, it’s who we’ve become. There are strong leaders at every level of this organization, and they are ready for what comes next.”
“Leading the Food Bank Council of Michigan has been the honor of a lifetime. I remain as convinced as ever that hunger is not bigger than we are, and not beyond us to solve.”
Dr. Knight will continue to serve as CEO through September 2026, supporting a smooth transition in the months ahead. The board of directors will share details on future leadership plans at a later date.