February 26, 2026
Today, World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Cindy McCain announced her intent to step down from her role in three months to focus on her health. World Food Program USA extends its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Executive Director McCain for her exemplary leadership at WFP in service of the more than 318 million people facing extreme hunger across the globe.
“On behalf of the World Food Program USA Board of Directors, I extend our sincere appreciation to Executive Director McCain for her principled and steady leadership during a period of extraordinary global need. She has served as a steadfast captain, guiding through challenging waters with clarity, resolve and compassion. Her impact will be felt far beyond her tenure,” said Tony Fratto, Chair, World Food Program USA Board of Directors.
Since assuming the role in April 2023, Executive Director McCain elevated WFP’s global standing, mobilizing broad support across governments, private sector partners and major donors. She led unprecedented changes to reform and scale WFP’s abilities, including overhauling its global structure, streamlining its operations and processes and scaling innovative digital technologies.
“It has been an honor to work alongside Executive Director McCain in delivering lifesaving food assistance to millions of the world’s most vulnerable people,” said Barron Segar, President and CEO, World Food Program USA. “Her leadership strengthened WFP at a pivotal moment, and her unwavering commitment to people facing hunger has helped shape the future of humanitarian response. We are deeply grateful for her partnership and wish her strength and continued recovery.”
World Food Program USA will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with WFP through this transition, resolute in our commitment to ending global hunger.
Learn more in WFP’s statement.
