Key Takeaways
- World Food Program USA has appointed four new members to its board of directors: Brandon Lipps, Alicia Pittman, Basil Qunibi, and Mustafa Shamseldin.
- The new members bring expertise in corporate, policy, strategy, and finance to the board.
- The role of private sector investment has become increasingly essential in the movement to end hunger, with the private sector constituting the fifth largest funding source for the World Food Programme (WFP) globally.
- The new board members will play a significant role in advising on private sector engagement in the US and retaining a strong relationship with the US government as WFP’s largest donor.
- The World Food Program USA is working to expand its fundraising and advocacy capacity to address the urgent challenge of global hunger.
Introduction to the New Board Members
The World Food Program USA has recently announced the appointment of four new members to its distinguished board of directors. Brandon Lipps, Alicia Pittman, Basil Qunibi, and Mustafa Shamseldin are the new additions to the board, bringing with them a wealth of experience and expertise in various fields. As innovative leaders, they will share their knowledge and insights to help advance the mission of World Food Program USA. The new members will play a crucial role in advising on private sector engagement in the US and retaining a strong relationship with the US government as WFP’s largest donor.
The Importance of Private Sector Investment
As funding for humanitarian food aid programs from donor governments around the world has broadly declined or stagnated, the role of private sector investment has become increasingly essential in the movement to end hunger. The private sector now constitutes the fifth largest funding source for the World Food Programme (WFP) globally and is the greatest source of optimism for future growth. The World Food Program USA’s Board of Directors will play a significant role in advising on private sector engagement in the US, as well as retaining a strong relationship with the US government as WFP’s largest donor. The new board members will help to expand the generational and geographic diversity of the board, aligning with ever-shifting donor patterns.
Quotes from the New Board Members
The new board members have expressed their enthusiasm and commitment to the World Food Program USA’s mission. Mustafa Shamseldin, Senior Vice President, Global Category Growth Acceleration, Foods and Beverages at PepsiCo, stated, "It is a true privilege to be joining the World Food Program USA Board and to be at the service of this organization, and the incredible work they are doing, addressing what is our biggest collective responsibility – that no human regardless of who they are, where they live, or where they come from, should ever be hungry." Alicia Pittman, Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group, added, "I am excited and proud to support the World Food Programme’s mission to end hunger and strengthen communities around the globe, building on the longstanding partnership between WFP and the Boston Consulting Group."
The Role of the Board of Directors
The World Food Program USA’s Board of Directors plays a crucial role in advising on strategic growth and success, particularly in areas related to policy, brand visibility, and private sector engagement. The board members will help to expand the organization’s fundraising and advocacy capacity to address the urgent challenge of global hunger. Barron Segar, World Food Program USA President and CEO, stated, "Our four newest members will strengthen key areas related to policy, brand visibility, and private sector engagement. We’re thrilled to have their counsel and support." The new board members will work closely with the existing members to achieve the organization’s mission and make a meaningful impact in the fight against hunger.
About the New Members
The four new members bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the board. Brandon Lipps is the cofounder and principal of Caprock Strategies, a strategic consulting firm specializing in food, agriculture, and anti-poverty programs. Basil Qunibi is the Founder, Chief Investment Officer, and Chief Executive Officer of Atom Investors, a global, multi-manager, market-neutral hedge fund. Alicia Pittman is a Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group, where she serves as the firm’s Global People Chair and a member of the firm’s Executive and Operating Committees. Mustafa Shamseldin is a global executive with a proven track record as Chief Executive Officer, managing multi-billion-dollar businesses and scaling up new businesses to global scale.
About World Food Program USA
World Food Program USA is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, D.C., which proudly supports the mission of the World Food Programme by mobilizing American policymakers, businesses, and individuals to advance the global movement to end hunger. The organization is working to expand its fundraising and advocacy capacity to address the urgent challenge of global hunger. To learn more about World Food Program USA’s mission, please visit wfpusa.org/mission-history. The organization is committed to making a meaningful impact in the fight against hunger and is grateful for the support of its new board members.
