Claire Babineaux-Fontenot is a leader and advocate dedicated to combating hunger and strengthening communities. Her unwavering commitment to working alongside people experiencing food insecurity to create sustainable, equitable solutions in the movement to end hunger is emblematic of her decades long service in social justice and humanitarian efforts.
Since 2018, Claire has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Feeding America, a network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs, and the largest charity in the United States since 2022, according to Forbes. Under her strategic guidance, the organization has reached new milestones in addressing domestic food insecurity. Claire's leadership has propelled Feeding America forward, navigating through the challenges of a global pandemic and significantly growing the strength of its network of food banks and partner agencies to better serve communities and people facing hunger.
During Claire's tenure, Feeding America has developed comprehensive programs aimed at not only providing immediate food assistance but also implementing long-term solutions to address the root causes of food insecurity. Her approach emphasizes collaboration with diverse stakeholders, fostering alliances with corporations, government agencies, and grassroots organizations to amplify the organization's reach and effectiveness. Under her guidance, Feeding America has improved access to fresh, nutritious, culturally relevant food for tens of millions of individuals and families facing hunger through fundraising growth, expanded operations, and improved logistical efficiency.
Prior to joining Feeding America, Claire spent 13 years on Walmart's leadership team, most recently as executive vice president and global treasurer. In this role, she had global responsibility for tax, treasury operations, capital markets, investor relations, global risk management, casualty, and self-insurance, leading teams across 28 countries and over 1,000 associates worldwide.
A Louisiana native, Claire has been entrusted to lead effective teams for three decades, including roles as partner-in-charge of the Baton Rouge office and tax practice leader for Adams and Reese LLP, one of U.S. News & World Report's "Best Law Firms" and dispute resolution practice group leader for the southwest region at PwC (formerly PricewaterhouseCoopers), as well as assistant secretary for the Office of Legal Affairs for the State of Louisiana.
With a deep, personal commitment to strengthening communities, Claire has been a lifelong volunteer and has served on a number of nonprofit boards, including the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, the board of directors and audit committee for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and the board of trustees and finance and audit committee for the National Urban League and the National Association of Black Accountants. She also served on the corporate advisory board for the Association of Latino Professionals for America and the global board of directors and the Walmart Foundation executive committee.
Claire holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, a Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, La.; and a Master of Laws in Taxation from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in Dallas, Texas.
Claire was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2020. In 2021, she was honored with PRWeek’s Communicator of the Year award and Sothern Methodist University’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Claire was among Forbes 50 over 50 in 2022, and, in 2023, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities honored Claire with the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Her relentless pursuit of an equitable, hunger-free America exemplifies her as a trailblazer and a compassionate advocate for social justice.