Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO, Feeding America (feedingamerica.org)

Women and Adversity:
Claire Babineaux-Fontenot
Chief Executive Officer
Feeding America
February is Black History Month

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot (Bab⸍ ih no-Font⸍ ih no) became chief executive officer of the Feeding America board of directors in 2018, and in 2020, Time magazine named her among the 100 most influential people in the world. The goal of  Feeding America is to eliminate hunger in America. The organization is a network of food banks, food pantries, meal programs, and statewide food bank associations. According to Forbes, Feeding America is the largest charity in the U.S. since 2022.

During her tenure, she has developed programs that provide food assistance, and she has implemented long-term solutions. She emphasizes collaboration with organizations. The long list of commendations and awards she’s received includes the Laetare Medal from University of Notre Dame, which was given to her in 2024. It is the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics. In 2025 she was one of Time magazine’s Women of the Year.

Her Parents, Mary Alice and Warren Babineaux, were inducted into the National Adoption Hall of Fame in 2008, so she grew up understanding the need of compassion for others. A personal challenge for her was when she was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in 2015. After successful treatment, she advocates for others.

Bio

Born – April 26, 1964 in Opelousas, Louisiana
1985 – bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
1989 – J.D. degree from Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge
1992 – LL.M. degree in taxation law, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, Dallas

Career

• 1990-1998 – Louisiana Office of Legal Affairs
• 1998-2001 – PricewaterhouseCoopers, dispute resolution practice group leader
• 2001-2004 – Adams and Reese LLP, tax practice leader and partner-in-charge, Baton Rouge office
• 2004-2007 – Walmart, vice president of audits and tax policy
• 2007-2014 – Walmart, senior vice president and chief tax officer
• 2014-2017 – Walmart, executive vice president of finance and global treasurer
• 2018-2026 – Chief executive officer, Feeding America

 Personal

Babineaux-Fontenot and her husband, Barry Fontenot, have two children. The family lives in Chicago.

 Further information
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVFtlCD6DbE
www.feedingamerica.org/?r=n&o=a
www.feedingamerica.org/about-us/leadership/claire-babineaux-fontenot

My ebooks available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com:
Honoring 23 Black Women, Recognizing 23 Notable Mothers, Saluting 23 Faithful Suffragists