The CEO Selection Committee for Feeding America Riverside, San Bernardino (FARSB) has named a Riverside resident as its new Chief Executive Officer.
On Monday, FARSB announced that Carolyn Solar was selected for the position “following an extensive search.” In the food bank’s 42-year history, she is only the second female to hold the title.
“I am humbled and honored to be leading an organization that provides value within the very community that I call home,” Solar said.
Solar is to start the new position April 4, 2022. Her primary focus will include: assessing the organization’s operational, programmatic, and financial performance, developing strategic and impactful regional partnerships, and overseeing FARSB fundraising initiatives.
FARSB currently serves more than 200 local nonprofits and is the leading hunger-relief organization across the Inland Empire. Over two million pounds of its donated food is distributed monthly to shelters, food pantries, and other programs to fight widespread food insecurity.
Stephanie Otero, the current CEO at FARSB, said over the years Solar, a FARSB team member since 2017, was influential to the food bank’s leadership goals.
“[Solar] has demonstrated success delivering strong revenue growth, building effective teams, and diversifying both giving and programmatic opportunities within the community. I am fully confident she will continue to advance the mission of FARSB in new and impactful ways.”
Solar said all the experience has prepared her for the new role.
“The past four and a half years that I’ve spent at FARSB as a Marketing Coordinator, then Philanthropy Director, have challenged, motivated, and inspired me more than ever, and I am excited to take FARSB into its next phase.”
Solar has a Bachelor of Arts in communications from California State University, San Bernardino, and a master’s in business administration from California Baptist University. FARSB is currently looking to fill her Development Director (formerly the Philanthropy Director) position.
Danyella Wilder is a freelance journalist. Danyella graduated from California Baptist University with a B.A. in journalism and new media and has a M.S. in journalism from Northwestern University.
The 4th Annual Can Tree Wonderland brought together over 40 groups to create festive tree-inspired displays made of canned goods, raising vital support for hunger relief in the Riverside and San Bernardino communities this holiday season.
