Inter-Faith Food Shuttle welcomes Barbara Morales-Burke onboard as our new Chief Operating Officer. Barbara has over 30 years of executive-level experience helping to lead government agencies and private and non-profit organizations through complex challenges. She has expertise in health care and the social drivers of health, insurance, government, public policy, public affairs and strategy. In her professional roles as well as in her personal community service endeavors Barbara has focused on increasing well-being and opportunities for individuals and communities.
“Coming into this COO role, at this organization, and at this point of its development, presents an incredible opportunity to have a real impact on hunger – not just by providing food, but by enabling real change,” said Barbara. “I could not be more excited to work with this team.”
During 2021 and 2022, Barbara worked with the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation (FHLI), a nonprofit that develops and supports innovative, community-driven partnerships that build a healthier North Carolina, providing strategic leadership for FHLI’s NCCARE360 Program as a Vice President and as a Senior Counselor.
Barbara served as Vice President of Health Policy at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina from 2009 through 2020. Much of her work was focused on the Affordable Care Act, improving access to care and increasing affordability of insurance. She also served in the dual role of Chief Compliance Officer for several years during this same time.
Earlier, Barbara had a 24-year career in public service, 20 of which were in North Carolina state government including 16 years in progressively responsible leadership positions with the NC Department of Insurance that culminated in the Chief Deputy Commissioner role - responsible for overall agency administration and operations.
Barbara has been active in the North Carolina food banking community since 2009, including serving on the Board of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina for 9 years and in an advisory role to the Board of Feeding the Carolinas and its predecessor, the NC Association of Food Banks, for 11 years. Barbara is currently a member and Immediate Past Chair of the Wake County Smart Start Board. Her other recent service includes membership on the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust’s Health Improvement Advisory Committee and on the Board of Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina.
“Barbara brings a wealth of knowledge to us with her multi-sector experience and varied skills,” said L. Ron Pringle, President and CEO of Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. “I have had the pleasure of serving with her as part of the Feeding the Carolinas Food Bank Association, as well as making legislative visits with her on Capitol Hill. I am thrilled to have her as part of our Executive Leadership team, focusing on project management and new strategic initiatives across the organization.”
In recognition of her service to North Carolina, Barbara was inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Roy Cooper in December 2020.
Barbara holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Fordham University and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina School of Public Health. She resides in Raleigh, NC, with her husband, Scott.