Noreen Springstead

Executive Director WhyHunger

Noreen Springstead serves as executive director of WhyHunger—a 46 year-old global organization working in over 30 countries to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food, by providing critical resources to support grassroots movements and fuel community solutions rooted in social, environmental, racial and economic justice. Noreen started with the organization in 1992 as a front desk assistant and quickly worked up the ranks. Each day, she fights in solidarity with the millions of people around the world facing food insecurity. Noreen brings a unique and visionary approach to solving the hunger crisis, seeking to implement systemic change to tackle the root cause of hunger and build social justice for all.

Noreen’s vision guides WhyHunger’s programmatic, philanthropic and marketing strategies. Under Noreen’s direction, WhyHunger has established successful partnerships with diverse companies such as Hard Rock International, Entercom New York, SiriusXM and ASCAP among others. As part of WhyHunger’s signature program Artists Against Hunger & Poverty, Noreen has built long-term relationships with notable artists including Bruce Springsteen, Yoko Ono Lennon, Carlos Santana, their management and record labels, resulting in millions of dollars of support for WhyHunger and its the community-based partners.

Noreen is a graduate of Rutgers University and has a BA in Political Science. A lifelong leader and learner, Noreen completed the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Course Leadership, Organizing and Action and a course at the University of Notre Dame Non-Profit Business Excellence Continuing Education Program.

Noreen is frequently called upon as a thought leader to discuss the hunger crisis and was named one of the most powerful female changemakers by SHAPE magazine in 2019. Noreen uses her platform to challenge the dominate narrative about hunger and its solutions and has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, Fast Company, WCBS Newsradio 880 and The Record among other outlets.