Nonprofit leadership is about listening, adapting, and staying grounded in your mission—even when facing uncertainty or unexpected challenges.
Richard LeBer, President & CEO of the Harry Chapin Food Bank, joins us to kick off Season 3 of IMPACTability: The Nonprofit Leaders Podcast. In this heartfelt conversation, Richard shares his unexpected journey from the corporate world to nonprofit leadership, the critical role food banks play in addressing hunger, and the powerful personal stories that fuel his mission.
He also opens up about navigating growing demand with shrinking resources, why safe peer networks are essential, and how culture and mission alignment drive organizational success. From a surprise $2M bequest to leadership lessons learned the hard way, this episode is packed with wisdom for nonprofit executives and board members alike.
Whether you’re in the trenches of nonprofit leadership or guiding from the Board room, this conversation offers real-world insight, practical advice, and inspiration for leading with purpose.
Standout Quotes
- “Not every nonprofit executive has a safe person to talk to because there’s so much competition.”
- “After Hurricane Irma, we overestimated revenue and had to make painful layoffs; we learned to be more frugal and cautious.”
- “Working in nonprofits has given me tremendous fulfillment and a different life than the corporate track.”
Chapters & Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome & The Mission of Harry Chapin Food Bank
02:25 – From Corporate Executive to Nonprofit Leader
06:05 – Stories That Inspire and Fuel the Work
10:18 – Finding Fulfillment Beyond the Bottom Line
12:28 – Culture, Mission, and Decision-Making in Nonprofits
18:25 – Building Support Networks & Learning from Mistakes
29:15 – Leading Through Uncertainty and Funding Challenges
36:27 – Advice for Nonprofit CEOs and Board Members
41:05 – Reflections on Purpose, Fulfillment, and Community
Guest Bio
Richard LeBer is President & CEO of the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, the largest hunger relief organization in the region. Under his leadership since 2016, the food bank has tripled fundraising, increased food distribution by 89%, and now serves approximately 250,000 people each month. Richard has led the organization through major challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, historic inflation, and multiple hurricanes such as Irma and Ian.
His leadership and Board experience includes the Harvard Club of Southwest Florida, Feeding Florida, Atlanta Community Food Bank, and Georgia Mountain Food Bank. In 2023, Richard was named Man of the Year by Gulfshore Life magazine.
Before dedicating his career to the nonprofit sector, Richard served as CEO of National Linen Service and held several executive roles in the for-profit space. He holds a degree from Harvard Business School and the University of Waterloo and enjoys reading, film, food, and running in his spare time.
Connect with Richard LeBer at Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida:
Website: hcfb.org
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hcfbswfl
Twitter/X: @HCFBSWFL
Facebook: facebook.com/HarryChapinFoodBank
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This podcast is sponsored by Soukup Strategic Solutions
With over a decade of experience supporting nonprofits across diverse sectors, Soukup Strategic Solutions offers comprehensive consulting and outsourcing services tailored to achieve both short-term results and long-term success. Learn more at soukupstrategicsolutions.com.