Executive Director, FRESHFARM

FRESHFARM

Executive Director

Location: Washington, DC region/hybrid

Compensation: $175,000 - $200,000

ABOUT FRESHFARM

FRESHFARM builds a more equitable, vibrant, sustainable, and resilient food system in the Mid-Atlantic region by producing innovative solutions to solve critical problems in partnership with local communities and organizations. Through hands-on education, farmers markets, and food distribution programs, FRESHFARM creates food access, economic development, and thriving communities.

FRESHFARM was founded in 1996 by Bernadine Prince and Ann Harvey Yonkers as a public education program of the American Farmland Trust. A year later, they launched the Dupont Circle farmers market in Washington, DC, starting with 15 farmers from four states selling fresh produce, flowers, and plants. Since then, FRESHFARM has grown into a leading force in the regional food system.

In 2019, Hugo Mogollon joined as Executive Director, bringing a new era of leadership that included a strategic merger with Community Foodworks—a peer organization he had led for five years. This merger positioned FRESHFARM as the largest farmers market network in the Mid-Atlantic, expanding its reach and impact while strengthening its role as a regional food systems leader. Over the past five years, the successful merger and a strategic focus on sustainable growth have driven a significant expansion of programs and have more than tripled the organization’s budget. This significant growth underscores FRESHFARM’s dedication to community integration, equity, and leadership in advancing sustainable, local food access.

FRESHFARM’s dual mission of supporting farmers and increasing consumer food access is a unique approach in food systems work. This work is done by meeting communities at several strategic positions within the larger regional food system–markets, schools, and distribution hubs–to target food access, food security, and food justice systematically. FRESHFARM’s many and diverse programs are united by the common goals of cultivating a thriving local food economy that respects producers, consumers, and our environment equally and empowering all individuals and communities with the knowledge and agency to access local, nutritious food.

FRESHFARM operates with an annual budget of $12 million, a core team of 75 full-time staff, and up to 85 part-time and seasonal employees at peak times.

FRESHFARM VALUES

Integrity

We are honest and adhere to strong moral and ethical principles.

Transparency

We are committed to clear, open communication within the organization and with the communities we serve.

Inclusivity

We are actively building a food system that prioritizes traditionally marginalized communities.

Collaboration

We believe in the power of partnering with others to pursue a better collective future.

Continuous Improvement

We adapt to change and address challenges with an aim for excellence in everything we do.

Innovative Leadership

We apply creativity and ingenuity to model transformational community-based leadership.

For more information, please visit freshfarm.org

ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION

FRESHFARM seeks a collaborative, inspiring, inclusive, and authentic relationship builder who brings a vast knowledge of nonprofit leadership and an understanding of food systems, community engagement, education, and food access. The ideal candidate has an ethos of connectedness, a drive for impact, and a focus on building trust with staff, the Board, farmers, teachers, key partners, and individuals and families across the Washington, DC, region who rely on FRESHFARM for local, affordable, seasonal, fresh produce and excellent education programs.

FRESHFARM is deeply trusted and valued by the community for its longstanding commitment to inclusion, partnership, and food justice. With a strong history of supporting local farmers, markets, food distribution, food access, and education programs, the organization has built lasting relationships that reinforce its mission. As a dedicated advocate for its partners, FRESHFARM ensures that producers and consumers benefit from a more just and resilient food system.

The ideal candidate is a strong and inclusive leader with a track record of listening first, bridging differences, and serving as a connector to unite staff, board, key partners, and the community around the organization’s mission. Moreso, the strongest candidates cultivate a culture of mutual trust and shared leadership, empowering their team with autonomy while actively listening and acting on their expertise. They foster transparency, inspire accountability at all levels, and align the organization around a collective vision of impact, all while remaining deeply attuned to the complexities and challenges faced by both staff and the community. Future-focused and innovative, they bring creativity to problem-solving. This leader will animate and model FRESHFARM values as they engage, share power, and amplify the visibility of the organization and will champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across the organization and beyond. With a learning mindset and a commitment to accountability, they are relentless in ensuring the organization's long-term sustainability and impact.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced leader to build on a solid foundation of success and growth and continue to deepen and broaden the impact for which FRESHFARM is so well known. They will empower and amplify the FRESHFARM staff and Board, ultimately shaping the future health and well-being of individuals and families across the Mid-Atlantic region.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy and Leadership

• Lead FRESHFARM’s strategy and vision, collaborating with the Board, staff, and key partners to design, implement, and track goals aligned with the FRESHFARM strategic plan.
• Develop and maintain trusting, transparent working relationships with the Board and staff leadership team to ensure open communication about successes and challenges of financial, programmatic, and operational performance.
• Collaborate with the Board to maintain an active pipeline of potential board members, ensuring a diverse and engaged leadership team that aligns with the organization’s strategic needs and long-term vision.
• Ensure ongoing organizational excellence; rigorous performance evaluation; and consistent, high-quality finance, administrative, fundraising, communications, and other systems.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of local food systems and foster a positive community partnership and reputation with key partners including farmers, education leaders, local government leaders, and the community.
• Develop and implement plans that allow FRESHFARM to weather unexpected challenges, adapt, adjust, and build resilience in staff and partners.
• Culture and ValuesModel and animate FRESHFARM values, centering inclusion, engagement, and a sense of unity.
• Successfully advocate for, encourage, and authentically facilitate diversity, equity, and inclusion within and among the FRESHFARM board, staff, and partners.
• Facilitate positive, collaborative interactions among and between partners by demonstrating awareness of all cultures, identities, and power structures.
• External RelationsServe as an active, external voice and champion of FRESHFARM with funders, local and government leaders, and partners, advocating for and increasing awareness of FRESHFARM across the Mid-Atlantic region through active participation in FRESHFARM and partner events.
• Grow the resources of FRESHFARM by developing, cultivating, and deepening relationships with major donors, key philanthropic funders, and institutional partners through stories of impact and a clear strategy for growth and impact.
• Actively seek out partnerships and increase engagement and brand awareness in the Washington, DC, region and nationally.
• In collaboration with the Board and staff, design and implement comprehensive fundraising, storytelling, and marketing strategies to amplify the organization.
• Serve as a thought leader in food systems, representing FRESHFARM at conferences, panels, and in the media, while amplifying the organization’s impact and advocating for the critical issues that align with its mission.
• Team Management Foster a collaborative culture of genuine teamwork and common purpose among all FRESHFARM staff.
• Lead and support a team of 8 senior leaders by facilitating regular meetings, ensuring effective ongoing communication, and organizing retreats related logistics, to foster team alignment and organizational growth.
• Engage, empower, inspire, and hold staff accountable to fulfilling their responsibilities to FRESHFARM.
• Facilitate collaboration across departments, functions, and tenures, and strengthen internal communications to cultivate strong, trusting working relationships at every level.
• Lead staff engagement, culture, and professional development while collaborating with HR for recruitment and hiring, ensuring a strong, engaged, and well-supported staff.
• Financial LeadershipOversee FRESHFARM budget and finances and work in concert with the Director of Finance & Operations to create and ensure adherence and compliance to appropriate financial policies, operations, and regulations.
• In partnership with the Director of Strategic Investments, oversee and provide leadership for FRESHFARM organizational sustainability with a focus on generating revenue from a variety of sources, including grants, events, major donors, etc.
• Maintain and cultivate relationships with potential individual, philanthropic, and corporate donors.

QUALIFICATIONS

The FRESHFARM Search Committee recognizes that not every candidate will bring every element of knowledge, skills, and experience listed below and welcomes candidates with various experiences.

• Passion, collaboration, and an abiding commitment to the mission of FRESHFARM
• Record of open and inclusive leadership and management with a dispersed, talented, and multidisciplinary staff
• Executive leadership experience with a strong track record of building, empowering, supporting, and inspiring a diverse group of staff, Board members, and external partners
• Track record of building and nurturing authentic, trust-based, cooperative, and high-impact organizational partnerships
• Proven experience in fundraising, grant writing, and donor relations, with a track record of successfully raising funds and securing grants to support organizational growth and sustainability
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to articulate and inspire a clear vision both internally and externally. This includes engaging and connecting with a variety of audiences through diverse platforms—whether at conferences, in media appearances, or in internal team settings—to elevate the organization’s profile, build trust, and support its mission
• A strong, proactive problem solver who can bridge the gap between strategy and execution, with experience overseeing key organizational functions, including strategy, finance, operations, and programs
• Experience in the complex food systems landscape and a strong understanding of the Mid-Atlantic nonprofit, government, and philanthropic sectors is desirable

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FRESHFARM is currently a hybrid organization, with staff across the Washington, DC, region working both remotely and onsite at markets, in schools, in warehouses, and in their office space near McPherson Square