ReFED is excited to introduce our new Board Chair – Pamela Murphy, a philanthropist and nonprofit board leader who joined ReFED’s Board of Directors in 2021. Pamela has a background in finance corporate and management consulting, including working at Citibank and Russell Reynolds Associates. For nearly fifteen years, she has brought to bear her experience in organizational planning, strategy development, resource management, and financial oversight to nonprofit organizations, with the sole goal of helping them achieve their environmental missions.
Pamela tells us, “I wanted to join the ReFED team when I learned that food waste reduction is one of the most efficient and attainable solutions to climate change. Since its inception, ReFED has been at the center of the food waste conversation, and with the clock ticking to reach our collective goal of a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030, it’s a critical time for the movement. I cannot imagine a more exciting and dedicated staff with which to work!”
Pamela was selected for her role at the helm of ReFED due to her deep experience with managing nonprofit boards. She currently is Chair of Governance and a member of the Finance Committee and Executive Committee of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Pamela also served on the Board of Island Press – the leading nonprofit publisher focused on sustainability and environmental topics – from 2009, and as Chairperson from 2016 through 2021. Pamela is currently serving on the President's Council at the Woodwell Research Center (previously called the Wood’s Hole Research Center) in Massachusetts. Perhaps her involvement in the Conservation Finance Network (CFN) has been one of the biggest influences to her joining ReFED. At CFN, Pamela learned about entrepreneurial business solutions for environmental issues.
Pamela’s overriding concerns are climate change and environmental justice. In addition to food waste, her focus includes the conservation of water (clean drinking water, as well as bodies of water), healthy soil, sound agricultural practices, pollinators, and native plants.
“Food waste is a solvable problem, and it’s extremely rewarding working within an organization that is pioneering efforts to activate solutions,” says Pamela. “From the recently announced ReFED Catalytic Grant Fund, to the annual Food Waste Solutions Summit, and to establishing networks for funders and solution providers, ReFED is offering opportunities for stakeholders of all types to become involved. As Board Chair, I’m excited to help guide and support ReFED’s critically important leadership in these efforts.”
Pamela has four grown children and splits her time between Washington, DC and Maine, where she and her husband, Byrne Murphy, are working to convert their property to native plants. She is also an avid sailor.