FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Philabundance Announces New 2019 Board of Directors
Philadelphia, Pa – February 15, 2019– Philabundance, the Delaware Valley’s largest hunger relief organization, is pleased to announce its 2019 Board of Directors, which includes the addition of three new members: Anika Hawkins of 6abc; Elizabeth Ireland of Grant Thornton LLP; and John Ruane of GIANT Food Stores.
This new group will be joined by two former board members: Bassam Awadalla of Bank of America will return after previously serving as a board member for nine years; and Martin Phillips of Opsidio LLC will once again join the board, having served between 2008- 2016.
“I am thrilled to announce these new and returning hunger heroes,” said Executive Director of Philabundance Glenn Bergman. “With experience in a variety of industries that include medicine, finance, food, and news media, their expertise will advance our mission of driving hunger from our communities today and ending hunger for good.”
New Board Members:
Anika ‘Niki’ Hawkins is the Director of Community Affairs for the Philadelphia ABC Affiliate – 6abc, WPVI-TV. Having spent 14 years as a writer/producer, Hawkins was promoted to head of Community Affairs in 2014. A resident of Philadelphia, Hawkins is a Spelman College alumnus, receiving a degree in Drama and Theater. She currently serves on the leadership council, nominating committee & Vice-Chair of the Gala Committee for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Philadelphia and the PR committee for the Anti-Defamation League of Southeastern PA.
Elizabeth Ireland is a partner in Audit Services, Non-profit, and Higher Education at Grant-Thornton LLP, a leading accounting network. Prior to her 11 years at Grant Thornton, Ireland was in the Financial Reporting Department of the Comptroller’s Office at the University of Pennsylvania. Ireland, a resident of Mount Airy, received her B.S. in Accounting from Saint Joseph’s University and her M.A. in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania.
John Ruane is the Senior Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer for Giant Food Stores. Prior to his role with Giant, Ruane rose through the ranks at Pathmark, culminating with the role of Senior Vice President of Merchandising in 1999. He joined Ahold’s Stop & Shop in New York in 2011, becoming the Senior Vice President of Ahold Fresh. A resident of Carlisle, PA, Ruane received his degree in Business Administration and Management from Rutgers University. He currently serves as the Executive Chairman of the Food Marketing Institute and is a past board member of the NJ Food Bank.
The full slate of directors includes: Sam Baker of Allen & Company, LLC; Pam Carter, PhD of the Community College of Philadelphia; Alan E. Casnoff of P&A Associates; Robert ‘BJ’ Clark of Ballard Spahr, LLP; Noel Eisenstat of Reinvestment Fund; John Hollway of the Quattrone Center at the University of Pennsylvania; Dixieanne James of Einstein Healthcare Network; Robert Kane of Key Bank; Marissa Meyers of the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice; Karyn Polak of PNC Financial Services Group; Milton Pratt, Jr. of the Michaels Development Company; Pamela Rainey Lawler, founder of Philabundance; Andrew Sandifer of FMC Corporation; and Nora Swimm of PJM Interconnection.