Tara A. Ellis

Tara A. Ellis is President and CEO of FeedMore WNY.

Ms. Ellis joined the Food Bank of WNY as President and CEO in October 2017 with a vision of bringing together the Food Bank and Meals on Wheels to better serve Western New York’s vulnerable community members and fulfill unmet needs.

Prior to her role at the Food Bank of WNY, she served for six years as the President and CEO of both the Meals on Wheels Foundation of Western New York, Inc. and Meals on Wheels for Western New York, Inc. Ms. Ellis’ previous professional experiences includesix years as Chief Development and Communications Officer for the internationally renowned basic biomedical research facility Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute. She also worked for 10 years as Vice President of the Internal and Corporate Communications Departments at Fortune 500 financial institution M&T Bank, and a combined five years with the New York State Senate and the Erie County Legislature.

Ms. Ellis is actively involved in national, State and local boards, including h er current service with the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs – NANASP (Chair), the Meals on Wheels Association New York State (Immediate Past President), and the Feeding New York State Board. She is a member of the Buffalo Seminary Alumnae Association, Feeding America, Meals on Wheels America, and the Junior League of Buffalo. Ms. Ellis previously served on the boards of and as a volunteer for numerous other community-based organizations, including the recently reenvisioned Regional Advisory Council for the WNY Regional Food System Initiative.

Some of the recognitions Ms. Ellis has been honored to receive include: annual inclusion since 2012 in the Business FirstPower 250 and Power 200 Women lists; a 2022 Community Impact Award; a 2022 Buffalo Bills-Highmark Community Hero; the 2022 Susan Reid Greene Russell Junior League of Buffalo Award; a 2021 Leadership Buffalo Values Awards honoree; a 2021 Community Impact Award from the Buffalo Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; and a 2020 Woman of Influence by Buffalo Business First.

Ms. Ellis holds a Master of Public Communications from Syracuse University and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Buffalo.