Eastern Illinois Foodbank Announces Kelly Daly as Next President and Chief Executive Officer

Senior Vice President Kelly Daly has been named President and Chief Executive Officer. Photo submitted by Eastern Illinois Foodbank.

For Immediate Release

URBANA, Il, (03/02/2021) — Eastern Illinois Foodbank (EIF) today announced that Senior Vice President Kelly Daly has been named President and Chief Executive Officer, replacing Jim Hires who is retiring after 15 years with the organization. Daly will commence her role as President and CEO on April 3, 2021.

Daly, a 22-year veteran of the organization, currently oversees all operational, financial and compliance-related activities at the food bank. As President and CEO, Daly will work closely with staff and community partners to ensure EIF continues to adapt and grow to achieve its mission of alleviating hunger in eastern Illinois.

“Kelly Daly has lived our mission for decades and is positioned to help us emerge into the new normal as we learn the lasting impacts of the COVID pandemic,” said EIF Board Chair Marc Bralts. “Kelly will hit the ground running as she is already established and well regarded with our staff, agency partners, and local and national foodbank organizations. We are very excited to have Kelly continue in the direction charted by Jim Hires as he retires.”

“Kelly Daly stepping into this role is welcome news to the communities we serve and our over 170 agency partners,” said EIF President and CEO Jim Hires. “The success and growth of the Foodbank the last several years would not have been possible without her effort, her skills, her passion and her insight into the needs of those we serve. Her recognition by fellow food bankers, both regionally and nationally, as a strategic thinker and operational leader is well deserved.”

“Kelly’s proven passion and commitment to the foodbank’s mission along with her vast experience and understanding of the state and national network makes her an insightful and deserving choice to lead Eastern Illinois Foodbank into its next season,” said Stephen Ericson, Executive Director of Feeding Illinois.

Daly received a BA in Accounting from Southern Illinois University and a University of Illinois Chicago Certificate in Nonprofit Management.