The Food Depository is proud to announce the appointment of two new members to its board of directors. Effective July 1, 2024, Gil C. Quiniones and Brian Byrd join the more than a dozen members of the board in its mission to end hunger. Their contributions will build on the skills of a diverse team of dedicated experts in their fields.
“At a time when hunger persists in our community and we continue to see increased numbers of neighbors turning to our network of food pantries for food, we are proud to add the valuable experience and perspectives of Gil Quiniones and Brian Byrd to our organization,” said Food Depository executive director and CEO Kate Maehr. “I look forward to working with both Gil and Brian as they help guide the Food Depository’s strategic direction and advocate for policies to end hunger and its root causes.”
As president and CEO of ComEd, an Exelon company, Gil C. Quiniones leads the organization’s work in powering the lives of more than four million residential and business customers.
Prior to joining ComEd in 2021, Gil served more than a decade as president and CEO of the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the nation’s largest state-owned electric utility. Before that, he held several positions in the administration of New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, including more than four years as senior vice president of energy and telecommunications.
Over the course of his career, he has gained a deep appreciation for the importance of addressing the basic needs of a community. He understands that having consistent access to nutritious food is essential for people striving for a better life. Gil’s past experiences volunteering at food banks have inspired him to deepen his involvement with the Food Depository and to further his journey to end hunger.
“Just as electricity powers the lives of the people I serve at ComEd, food is essential to people’s health – and no one in our communities should ever go hungry,” said Quiniones. “By joining the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s board of directors, I have the chance to broaden my role in providing essential services to people in the region.”
Brian Byrd is a Partner at KPMG LLP, where he specializes in guiding consumer, industrial, and retail clients through business transformations in a rapidly evolving landscape. He has more than two decades of experience in bringing quality and innovation to financial processes.
Byrd is passionate about supporting community organizations and improving the lives of his neighbors in Chicago and around the world. As an independent member of the Food Depository’s Audit Committee since 2020, and before that the Associate Board, he has a deep understanding of the organization’s work. He is particularly inspired by the development of the Food Depository’s prepared meals strategy, community food rescue program, and the capacity building investments the organization has made to strengthen its network of pantry partners especially those located in historically disinvested communities.
“I am deeply committed to the mission of eradicating food insecurity, which I believe is a solvable problem. To me, ensuring that my neighbors have access to nutritious food goes beyond addressing immediate needs in the community; it’s also about laying a foundation for individuals, families, and communities to build better lives and brighter futures. The work is far from over, and I'm excited to contribute to the next chapter of the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Chicago,” said Byrd.
See our full 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Media contact: Man-Yee Lee, [email protected]
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