Leadership

Ep 207: From Walmart to Feeding America (with Claire Babineaux-Fontenot)

by Joan Garry

Like me, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot moved from the corporate world to the nonprofit sector with zero previous experience in nonprofit work. In this episode, she shares her inspiring story of how and why she shifted her focus to step into her most impactful work yet.

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Here’s something I know all about from deep personal experience.

Moving from the corporate world to the nonprofit sector is no small feat, especially when you’re taking the helm of the largest charity in the United States. 

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot did just that, transitioning from the Executive Vice President of Finance at Walmart to the CEO of Feeding America, an organization with over $3 billion in revenue.

Claire’s journey is a testament to the power of aligning professional skills with a deep-seated passion for community service. Her story resonates with many nonprofit leaders who view their work as more than a job—it’s a calling. 

Claire, who grew up in a family of 108 children through biology, adoption, and fostering, has always been driven by a desire to make a difference. Her journey from corporate finance to leading a nonprofit giant is both inspiring and enlightening.

In this episode, we explore the challenges and triumphs of Claire’s transition from corporate to nonprofit, the incredible impact of Feeding America, and some of the broader issues facing the nonprofit sector.

In This Episode:

  • Claire’s Transition from Corporate to Nonprofit: Discover how Claire moved from Walmart to Feeding America and the significant moments that shaped her journey.
  • Feeding America’s Mission and Impact: Learn about Feeding America’s role in addressing food insecurity and how the organization operates across the United States.
  • Challenges in Nonprofit Leadership: Claire shares her experiences of being welcomed (and not) into the nonprofit sector and the lessons learned along the way.
  • Building Partnerships and Avoiding Mission Creep: We discuss the importance of authentic partnerships and how Feeding America avoids diluting its impact.
  • Advocacy and Systemic Change: Claire emphasizes the need for advocacy and systemic change to address the root causes of hunger and poverty.

Key Quotes:

“We represent a large percentage of the overall charitable food system in the country, with approximately 200 partner food banks. We are where hunger is.” – Claire Babineaux-Fontenot

“We have the best job on the planet. Every day we get to get up and be superheroes for people.” – Joan Garry

About Claire Babineaux-Fontenot:

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot is a leader and advocate dedicated to combating hunger and strengthening communities. Her decades-long service in social justice and humanitarian efforts is emblematic of her unwavering commitment to working alongside people experiencing food insecurity to create sustainable, equitable solutions in the movement to end hunger. 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. Feeding America has been recognized as the largest charity in the United States since 2022, according to Forbes.

Prior to joining Feeding America, Claire led effective teams for three decades, including 13 years on Walmart’s leadership team, most recently as executive vice president and global treasurer, where 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 holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, a Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, 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 Southern 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.

Resources:

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