Allison O’Toole is likely to introduce herself as “the very proud CEO of Second Harvest Heartland.” She’s proud of her team at the food bank and the way they’ve stepped up to address the largest uptick in hunger in decades. Allison believes that we all benefit from building a more just community and is proud of her organization for taking a stand on ending the inequities that leave Minnesota’s Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Indigenous families facing twice the hunger of White families.

A self-described “CEO who does stuff,” Allison is close to the action. From loading groceries into community members’ trunks, to testifying at the Capitol, Allison is an active leader on all fronts.

Her current role is the culmination of three decades working at the intersection of health and social good. Allison is credited with overhauling Minnesota’s insurance exchange program, MNsure, and has served as Senior Director of State Affairs at the United States of Care and as state director for U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. Early in her career, Allison was a dedicated prosecutor in the Twin Cities.