As a mission-driven leader, Angela Moloney has been dedicated to building compassionate, grounded support for underserved community members that honors dignity in the pursuit of long-term sustainability.
Angela shared perspectives on her career journey, the strengths she sees in Gleaners, and the insights she has gained from a listening tour focused on the organization and our partners. A common thread emerged: connection—between people, communities, and opportunities—is at the heart of ending hunger in Southeast Michigan.
Q: Your career has focused on advancing equity and building strong partnerships. How do you see that experience shaping the direction of Gleaners’ work moving forward?
A: When I think about the arc of my career, it has continued to bend toward connecting generosity to the real needs people face each day. In each of my roles, I’ve thought about partners and purpose, systems and communities, to shape and focus the work I’ve had the opportunity to do.
In my past positions, whether through The Catholic Foundation of Michigan, the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, or at Nazareth Farm, I’ve had the opportunity to engage closely with vulnerable communities and programs focused on equity, sustainability and justice. I’ve seen that hunger doesn’t happen in isolation; it impacts everything else we do.
Joining Gleaners allows me to use the skills I’ve built in forming relationships to help advance this important work, alongside partners and purpose. I am eager to work on the central issue of hunger and its intersection with health, education, housing, and economic opportunity to inform, inspire and invite more support, strengthening our ability to achieve hunger-free communities.
Q: As you’ve stepped into this role, what do you see as Gleaners’ greatest strength, and how do you hope to build on it?
A: Gleaners’ greatest strength, hands down, is the people connected to this mission. Their passion is the spark behind our ability to respond with scale and with heart. The people who serve here, our team members, volunteers, board of directors, or the greater community, lead with genuine care. We know how to do this work well.
When I think of our team here, everyone comes to Gleaners for their own reason. For some of us, it’s because our own families have experienced hunger, and the emergency food network has been there in those times of need. For others, it’s because welcoming others to our table is part of our faith or the values we were taught growing up.
It’s about being mindful that everyone has a story of why they’re here, and everyone is motivated for a particular reason. This is not just a job. My goal will be to help our team build on that energy as we continually seek ways to be more thoughtful, more efficient, and bring more dignity to the work that we do.
Q: You’ve spent your early months as president and CEO on a listening tour with Gleaners team members, volunteers, partners, and guests. What have been the most meaningful takeaways from those conversations so far?
A: The most meaningful takeaway from these conversations is how deeply people care about the mission. Every person I’ve met has shared with me how they take pride in being part of Gleaners, which is really exciting. Food is just one component, and it’s the starting point.
What I’ve noticed, whether it’s staff, volunteers, or community partners, is that the mission to achieve hunger-free communities is about more than just nutritious food. It’s about creating sustainability, it’s about creating trust, and it’s about creating opportunity. All of the conversations over this past month have reinforced my commitment to curiosity, to lead with collaboration, and to seek solutions together. It’s about working with our community and listening because the community has the solutions; the community has the answers to what we’re facing.
I’ve had the opportunity to witness firsthand the innovation, ingenuity, and enthusiasm for service to the community shared by our partners and team. It’s another example of what I mean by leading with heart. People really care deeply about one another and the mission. And above all else, making sure we are doing it all with both integrity and impact.
Q: What aspects of Gleaners’ mission resonate with you most, and why?
A: When I think about Gleaners’ mission, I’m immediately drawn back to my kitchen table growing up. I’m from a big family, and we did not have a lot, but there was always enough to share. I was raised understanding that food is foundational to who we are.
Many of our memories are connected to food. Preparing and sharing meals are important experiences that root us in our history, our traditions, our identity and our relationships.
It’s easy to address the feeling of hunger simply by providing healthy, appropriate food. But solving hunger includes intention and impact because access, or lack thereof, to nutrition touches every part of our lives. I’m really excited and happy to join Gleaners to build on the long-standing legacy of feeding people and nourishing lives today, tomorrow and for many years to come.
Q: When you think about the path to ending hunger in Southeast Michigan, what gives you the most hope?
A: The people in Southeast Michigan are so connected, responsive, and intentional about caring for one another. There is so much spirit and drive here, supported by connection to one another, that gives me hope that people respond when our community needs one another, that we will rally together no matter what challenge comes our way.
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