Statement by Dr. Rajiv J. Shah on WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain

Throughout her career, Cindy McCain has worked on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable, from delivering medical care to conflict zones to fighting for the rights of women and girls to, most recently, leading the World Food Programme. On behalf of The Rockefeller Foundation, I want to thank Cindy for her service as executive director of the WFP and wish her the very best as she prepares to step down.

During Cindy’s tenure, WFP has been a crucial partner to The Rockefeller Foundation. Our work together has helped launch school feeding programs in Brazil, India, Kenya, and more. Those programs have done more than feed children — they’ve also helped create jobs and advance security and prosperity for communities and the world. And thanks to Cindy and WFP’s support of the School Meals Coalition, we’ve formed an alliance dedicated to a future where every child can learn on a full stomach.

Cindy, thank you for your commitment to feeding the hungry, to leading with conviction and compassion, and to the belief that a better future is possible when we work together. Our thoughts are with you, and our thanks are with those at WFP who will carry on this work — they represent the best of humanity.