Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, the largest hunger relief organization in the state, announced it has initiated a nationwide search for its next President and CEO. The search will be conducted in partnership with Kittleman & Associates, a Chicago-based executive search firm specializing in nonprofit executive leadership recruitment.

The search follows the departure of Patti Habeck, who guided the organization through significant strategic and operational growth. During her more than a decade of leadership, Habeck expanded Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin’s food distribution network, strengthened community partnerships, and launched innovative programs targeting the root causes of hunger.

To ensure steady leadership throughout the transition, the Board of Directors has appointed Patti Dew as Interim President and CEO effective immediately. Dew brings over 35 years of nonprofit and financial leadership experience across numerous sectors including social services, museums, public accounting, and community foundations. A Milwaukee native, Dew previously held leadership roles at Sojourner Family Peace Center, Penfield Children’s Center, Milwaukee Public Museum, and Greater Milwaukee Foundation. Dew holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“Providing leadership and stability for this organization during a critical time of transition is at the heart of what I strive to accomplish in my work,” said Dew. “As families across Eastern Wisconsin continue to count on us, my priority will be to ensure the organization remains steady and dedicated to the mission of solving hunger in our communities.”

The organization’s next President and CEO will oversee both food banks – located in Milwaukee and Appleton – and lead a team committed to strengthening food security, expanding equitable access to nutritious food, and supporting community-driven solutions to hunger. The next leader will inherit an organization during a pivotal period, as more families turn to area pantries for reliable access to food, and strategic vision is essential to meet growing need and long-term challenges shaping food security.

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin’s Board of Directors, along with Kittleman & Associates, have begun preliminary recruitment efforts and are now accepting inquiries, nominations, and applications for the role. For more information about this position, visit:

President and CEO Position Info

“We are deeply grateful to Patti Dew for stepping into this interim role and ensuring steady leadership throughout the transition,” said Barclay Ferguson, Board Chair of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. “As food pantries across our region continue to operate at or beyond capacity, our next President and CEO must be a visionary leader capable of guiding the organization into its next chapter. Kittleman’s national expertise will help us identify the right candidate to build on our momentum and advance long-term solutions to hunger across Eastern Wisconsin.”

Throughout this transition, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin remains steadfast in its commitment to the communities it serves. The organization will continue prioritizing the needs of its partners and neighbors, ensuring that operational and programmatic continuity supports measurable, sustainable progress in addressing hunger across its 35-county service area.

About Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin:
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is the largest hunger relief organization in Wisconsin, with food banks in Milwaukee and Appleton. Founded in 1982 by the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, the organization is a locally led and independently operated member of the national Feeding America network of food banks. In collaboration with nearly 600 hunger relief partners and trusted community-based programs, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin provides healthy, nutritious food to neighbors facing hunger across 35 counties in Eastern Wisconsin. Committed to building stronger, healthier communities, the organization works to address the root causes of hunger through education, strategic partnerships, and innovative community-centered solutions. Learn more at FeedingAmericaWI.org.

About Kittleman & Associates:
Founded in 1963, Kittleman & Associates is a national executive search firm that specializes in the recruitment of CEOs for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, public charities, and philanthropic organizations. Kittleman was founded in Chicago, IL and has offices in Philadelphia, Boston, and Denver. For more information visit KittlemanSearch.com.