Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 15, 2026

Contact Information: Micaela Whalen | New Hampshire Food Bank | 603.669.9725 ext. 1246 |  micaela.whalen@nhfoodbank.org

MANCHESTER, NH — The New Hampshire Food Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of Shamera Simpson as its new Director of Development, effective August 6. Simpson brings more than 19 years of nonprofit development and leadership experience, with a strong track record of growing revenue, cultivating community and corporate partnerships, engaging volunteers and boards, and leading successful fundraising events.

Simpson joins the New Hampshire Food Bank following more than a decade of leadership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, where she served as Executive Director of its New Hampshire and Maine chapters. She consistently delivered year-over-year revenue growth, expanded donor pipelines, strengthened volunteer and board engagement, and oversaw logistics, communications and outreach for 15–20 fundraising events annually. Her previous nonprofit leadership roles include the March of Dimes, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Epilepsy Foundation and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

In her new role, Simpson will lead the Food Bank’s development efforts, strengthening relationships with donors, corporations, foundations, volunteers and community partners. She will also oversee event management, drawing on her extensive experience planning and executing fundraising events and community campaigns.

“We are thrilled to welcome Shamera to the New Hampshire Food Bank,” said Elsy Cipriani, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Food Bank. “Her deep experience in fundraising, community engagement and event management will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow our impact. Shamera understands how to bring people together around a mission, and that is exactly what we need as we work to build a hunger-free New Hampshire.”

Simpson succeeds Nancy Mellitt, who retired from the New Hampshire Food Bank at the end of August, after 15 years of dedicated service to the organization’s development and fundraising efforts. Mellitt was a driving force in raising more than $80 million during her tenure through a series of strategic campaigns and signature events. The annual Steel Chef Challenge has become a marquee event, featuring a timed cooking competition hosted by Food Network celebrity chefs, such as Robert Irvine.

In partnership with the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, Mellitt planned and executed the New England Winter Wine Spectacular and the Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits, the region’s largest annual wine and spirits tasting events. Mellitt was also instrumental in developing the Nothing Campaign, an innovative annual fundraising initiative designed to help community members better understand the challenges faced by New Hampshire residents experiencing food insecurity.

“We are incredibly grateful to Nancy for her dedication and service,” Cipriani said. “Nancy has helped build a strong foundation for our development work, and we are excited to have Shamera carry that work forward. We wish Nancy all the best in her retirement and thank her for the lasting impact she has made on our organization and the people we serve.”

A Nashua resident, Simpson has strong ties to the New Hampshire community. She previously served on the board of the Nashua Police Athletic League and continues to participate on its fundraising and program committees. She also serves as Vice Chair of the New Hampshire Suicide Prevention Council. Simpson holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.

“I am honored to join the New Hampshire Food Bank and build on the tremendous work that has already been done,” said Simpson. “The Food Bank plays such an important role in communities across New Hampshire, and I look forward to working with donors, partners, volunteers and the entire Food Bank team to expand support for this critical mission.”

Simpson’s appointment comes as the New Hampshire Food Bank implements its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan, “Elevating Our Network,” a collaborative vision focused on strengthening the statewide hunger-relief network, expanding access to nutritious food, increasing advocacy, enhancing holistic supports and using data to improve impact.

Shamera Simpson, pictured, has been named Director of Development for the New Hampshire Food Bank, bringing more than 19 years of nonprofit development and leadership experience to New Hampshire’s only food bank.

Nancy Mellitt, pictured, has retired from her role as Director of Development for the New Hampshire Food Bank after 15 years of dedicated service to the organization’s development and fundraising efforts.

About the New Hampshire Food Bank
The New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of Catholic Charities New Hampshire, has been working to relieve hunger in the Granite State since 1984. In 2025, as the state’s only food bank, the New Hampshire Food Bank efficiently procured and distributed more than 20 million pounds of food to people experiencing hunger through more than 400 partner agencies. Agencies include food pantries, neighborhood centers, low-income housing sites, senior nutrition centers, family crisis centers, hospices, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after school programs and day care centers. In addition to food distribution, the NH Food Bank leads innovative programming that helps fight the root causes of hunger.