Press Release: 7/23/2026
GBFB Appoints Carl Howell as President and CEO
Currently CEO of Community Teamwork, Howell to succeed Catherine D’Amato on October 1 following her planned retirement
BOSTON, MA (July 22, 2026) – Carl Howell, an accomplished nonprofit CEO with a deep commitment to economic empowerment and decades of management experience, will join The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) as President and CEO on October 1 following the planned retirement of longtime leader Catherine D’Amato.
Over the course of his career, Howell has worked at every level to address the root causes and impacts of poverty—as a therapist delivering direct care, an administrator supporting social services including meal programs, and an executive driving systemic change. He has over two decades of leadership experience and currently serves as CEO at Community Teamwork in Lowell, an organization with over 650 employees and a $220 million budget that serves more than 65,000 individuals and families annually. Under his leadership, Community Teamwork runs anti-poverty programming for the region and works alongside numerous GBFB member agencies and coalition partners.
“For sixteen years at Community Teamwork, Carl Howell has been a fierce advocate for families across the Merrimack Valley and MetroWest, building it into a genuine lifeline for our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan, Massachusetts’ 3rd District. “What sets Carl apart is his understanding that real help doesn’t stop at getting a family through a hard month. It’s about giving them the resources and support to get ahead. That’s the vision he’ll bring to The Greater Boston Food Bank, and I know he’ll lead it to even greater heights. I couldn’t be prouder for Carl and the families he’ll serve.”
“Carl possesses both the practical experience of leading a large, complex human services organization and a legacy of lifting up those most in need—critical assets for this important role,” said Ted Truscott, Chair of the GBFB Board of Directors and CEO of Columbia Threadneedle Investments. “Carl understands how economic instability contributes to hunger and has a proven track record of successfully navigating and shaping federal and state policy to improve lives. He will bring heart, experience, and a fresh perspective to our work.”
This is an urgent time for the anti-hunger movement. GBFB’s annual statewide food access study, conducted with Mass General Brigham, revealed that 40 percent of Massachusetts households are facing food insecurity. Additionally, recent federal policy changes are restricting access to critical food assistance programs, putting additional pressure on the food bank network.
“The opportunity to join The Greater Boston Food Bank—a vital organization with an extraordinary legacy of innovation and impact—is an incredible professional honor and deeply personal,” said Carl Howell. “Having experienced food insecurity firsthand, I know its lasting impact. Right now, so many people are struggling to get by, and we cannot afford to look away. I am eager to bring my energy and ideas to our mission while pushing for systemic solutions to ensure all community members have the nourishment they need to thrive.”
Howell continued, “I will work with the dedicated GBFB team to advance our mission with compassion and purpose, in collaboration with our community partners, volunteers, legislative leaders, and philanthropic partners. These are difficult times where both people and resources are under attack; I’m ready to step forward, fight for those who need us most, and get to work.”
Howell earned a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from McDaniel College in Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. He holds certificates from Boston University’s Institute for Non-Profit Management, YW Boston’s LeadBoston, and LEADS Network, a civic and business leadership program in partnership with Harvard Business School. He serves on the boards of the Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, and other committed social service organizations.
Howell was presented with Eastern Bank’s Community Advocacy Award in 2025. In 2022, he spoke at the White House on disparities in public health. He has developed youth housing programs and contributed to policy reforms addressing housing discrimination at local, state, and federal levels.
The GBFB Board of Directors conducted a national search, led by Russell Reynolds Associates, to identify D’Amato’s successor.