Malea Chavez Leads the Way

It’s been nearly two years since Malea Chavez was named CEO of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. She’s the first woman of color to lead the Food Bank in its nearly 50-year history. Her arrival here in 2022 was actually a return, and a welcome home. She grew up in Southern Arizona and still loves the beauty of the Sonoran desert. Malea brings a background in the non-profit arena and holds a law degree. Her experience as an attorney includes work at legal Self-Help Centers in California.

Meeting the Need

Since the Community Food Bank serves a large area covering 23,000 square miles and five counties in Southern Arizona, it’s important for a CEO to know the area. For Malea that means hitting the road has been a priority. She’s visited rural distributions in areas from Marana to Willcox and more. She regularly reviews operations at the Community Food Bank’s four Resource Centers in Tucson, Nogales, Green Valley and Amado. She has spent hours talking and listening to staff and neighbors to gain perspective. With a rising number of people receiving food, she’s increased the amount the Food Bank purchases. Operating hours are now longer and include some Saturday hours to help make things more convenient for working families to pick up emergency food.

A Personal Experience

Malea has lived experience in dealing with food insecurity. As a child, she came to the Community Food Bank to pick up food with her mother. That history helps drive her today. She works not only to make fresh and healthy food available in our community, but also to address the root cause of  hunger in Southern Arizona, and the poverty that often accompanies it. We’re proud to share more of Malea’s story in this profile in The Women CEO.