Monique Feeny
Mount Laurel,NJ
Summary
Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Supplemental Nutrition Division
USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
08.2023 - Current
- Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight: Directed multi-million-dollar nutrition assistance programs, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Farmers and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CFSP), ensuring efficient operations, regulatory compliance, and measurable community impact.
- Team & Organizational Development: Built and led high-performing, cross-functional teams, driving engagement, retention, and continuous professional growth.
- Financial & Resource Management: Managed division budget allocations, optimizing resource use while maintaining financial sustainability and operational excellence.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy: Established strategic partnerships with government agencies, tribal organizations, and community leaders to expand program reach and effectiveness.
- Operational Efficiency & Compliance: Strengthened internal controls, streamlined processes, and ensured adherence to federal policies and industry best practices.
- Change Management & Workforce Planning: Led teams through organizational transitions, workforce planning, recruitment, and process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
- Executive Advisement & Public Representation: Served as a key advisor to senior leadership, shaping policy recommendations and representing the organization at high-level engagements.
- Program Innovation & Outreach: Spearheaded initiatives to increase program visibility, improve service delivery, and drive strategic priorities, including food loss and waste reduction efforts.
Chief, Community Nutrition Programs
USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
02.2023 - 08.2023
- Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight: Directed regional Community Nutrition Programs, including CACFP, SFSP, TEFAP, and CSFP, ensuring compliance, operational efficiency, and program effectiveness across multiple states.
- Team Development & Performance Management: Led a high-performing team of 3 Lead Program Specialists and 7 Program Specialists, driving staff development, equitable workload distribution, and career growth initiatives.
- Regulatory Compliance & Risk Mitigation: Monitored state agency adherence to federal regulations and policy guidelines, identifying program deficiencies and implementing corrective action strategies.
- Operational Excellence & Change Management: Maintained business continuity through regional reorganization, coaching staff through transitions while optimizing branch operations.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Sector Collaboration: Fostered partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to advance program priorities, represent regional initiatives, and drive public-private collaboration.
- Executive Advisory & Policy Innovation: Provided strategic recommendations to senior leadership on high-impact program challenges, shaping policies, program priorities, and operational guidance.
- Audit & Program Evaluation: Oversaw Management Evaluation (ME) processes, ensuring timely completion of program assessments, regulatory compliance, and effective corrective action plans.
- Public Engagement & Advocacy: Represented the regional office at industry conferences, public meetings, and high-level discussions to highlight program success and initiatives.
- Sustainability & Program Innovation: Contributed to the USDA Food Loss and Waste Workgroup, identifying opportunities to integrate sustainability initiatives within nutrition programs.
Chief, Administrative Services and Analytics
USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
06.2020 - 02.2023
- Financial & Operational Oversight: Managed regional budget in partnership with executive leadership, ensuring financial alignment with strategic goals and operational needs. Oversaw procurement processes to optimize spending and resource allocation.
- Audit & Compliance Leadership: Led the regional audit program, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and mitigating risks. Partnered with internal and external auditors (OMB, GAO, OIG) to resolve findings and strengthen financial controls.
- Facilities & Logistics Management: Oversaw a 25,000 sq. ft. leased facility, ensuring compliance with government leasing requirements and operational efficiency. Managed relationships with GSA, property management, and internal stakeholders.
- Data Analytics & Program Evaluation: Directed regional data analytics initiatives to enhance decision-making in grants management and nutrition assistance programs. Developed protocols for data collection, storage, and financial oversight.
- Strategic Workforce & Performance Management: Led diverse teams, aligning work plans with organizational priorities. Managed recruitment, performance evaluations, and conflict resolution to drive a high-performance culture.
- Executive Advisory & Policy Development: Advised senior leadership on complex program challenges, developing issue briefs, strategic recommendations, and operational policies to drive efficiency and impact.
Policy Analyst, Food Loss and Waste
USDA, Office of the Chief Economist
06.2022 - 10.2022
- Strategic Leadership & Public Engagement: Led public outreach and consumer education initiatives on food loss and waste (FLW) reduction, supporting USDA’s FLW Liaison in advancing national sustainability efforts.
- Multi-Agency & Industry Collaboration: Partnered with federal agencies (EPA, FDA, USAID) and private-sector leaders to develop and implement FLW mitigation strategies, aligning with climate change and food supply chain resiliency goals.
- Program Development & Event Management: Designed and executed USDA’s Food Loss and Waste Innovation Fair, a high-impact virtual conference featuring 1,000+ participants, 10 industry experts, and 30 exhibitors, showcasing cutting-edge FLW technologies.
- Policy Analysis & Advisory: Evaluated emerging policies, advised leadership on FLW-related regulatory matters, and responded to high-level inquiries from public and private stakeholders.
- Corporate Sustainability & Reporting: Provided critical support for the U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions initiative, driving engagement with companies committed to reducing FLW by 50% by 2030.
- Marketing & Communications Strategy: Developed newsletters, press releases, and promotional materials to elevate USDA’s FLW initiatives, increasing visibility and stakeholder engagement.
- Performance & Impact Measurement: Spearheaded the annual U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions Milestones Report, leading content development, design, and promotion, with its release timed to maximize industry impact.
Assistant to Child Nutrition Director
USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
08.2014 - 05.2020
- Strategic Program Support & Oversight: Provided high-level analytical and administrative support for Child Nutrition Programs (NSLP, CACFP, SFSP), Supplemental Food Programs (WIC, Farmers’ Market), and Food Distribution Programs (TEFAP, CSFP), ensuring compliance with program goals and regulations.
- Cross-Functional Leadership & Advisory: Advised Division Director on workflow optimization, reporting requirements, and cross-program initiatives, contributing to effective program execution and goal alignment with FNS strategic priorities.
- Financial Oversight & Budget Management: Managed the State Administrative Expense (SAE) Plan and Reallocation process, overseeing $30M+ in state funds for the Child Nutrition Programs. Reviewed and ensured the accuracy of budgets, and trained state agencies on allowable costs and funding processes.
- Process Improvement & Efficiency: Led efforts to streamline SAE Plan reviews and improve oversight, identifying process deficiencies and developing best practices for nationwide implementation. Designed and implemented a SAE analysis worksheet adopted across all states for evaluating state budgets.
- Program Evaluation & Reporting: Monitored and reported on open Management Evaluation (ME) findings, aligning with regional priorities and ensuring FNS Strategic Plan objectives were met within deadlines.
- Event Planning & Stakeholder Engagement: Coordinated quarterly meetings and annual conferences for internal teams, handling logistics, agendas, and evaluation to ensure effectiveness. Developed relationships with contractors and vendors to source facilitators, evaluate proposals, and ensure optimal performance.
- Policy & Regulatory Analysis: Drafted reports, talking points, and briefing materials for senior leaders, providing strategic insights into policy changes and program administration. Served as a liaison for correspondence with governors, commissioners, and state agency directors.
- Leadership in Program Design: Led a team focused on analyzing existing processes and identifying weaknesses, contributing to nationwide improvements in program administration and financial management. ion and financial management.
Chief, School Programs Branch
USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
04.2012 - 05.2014
- Leadership & Program Oversight: Directed a team providing guidance, technical assistance, and compliance oversight for School Nutrition Programs across nine Mid-Atlantic states, ensuring high standards of program administration and federal compliance.
- Regulatory Compliance & Policy Implementation: Researched, interpreted, and implemented federal laws, regulations, and policies to drive effective program operations. Led the implementation of new program policies and oversaw the successful Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act rollout, transforming meal standards and program provisions.
- Performance & Compliance Management: Led National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Management Evaluations, analyzing findings, determining deficiencies, and driving corrective action plans to ensure compliance with federal guidelines. Oversaw the timely closure of open findings while maintaining adherence to national evaluation standards.
- Stakeholder Collaboration & Advocacy: Partnered with state agencies, FNS National Office, and external stakeholders to drive child nutrition initiatives and fulfill agency goals. Represented the Division Director at key meetings and events, advocating for School Nutrition and Summer Food Service Programs.
- Team Leadership & Workforce Development: Managed a high-performing staff through a regional reorganization, establishing Team Lead positions and ensuring equitable distribution of work. Conducted performance evaluations, identified training needs, and facilitated career development for team members.
- Strategic Planning & Project Management: Developed and executed strategic plans for ongoing projects, ensuring alignment with regional goals. Led efforts to highlight success stories and communicate the impact of new program provisions to stakeholders and the public.
- Communication & Executive Support: Created briefing materials, talking points, and speeches for senior leadership, ensuring clear communication and preparation for commissioner meetings and public events.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communication
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJNo Degree - Nutrition Sciences
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KSMaster of Science - Public Health
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MISkills
- Collaborative Networking Skills
- Strategic planning
- Staff management
- Budget management
- Program management
- Legal and regulatory compliance
- Partnerships and alliances
- Leadership development
- Stakeholder engagement
- Risk management
- Regulatory compliance
- Cross-functional team leadership
Timeline
Director, Supplemental Nutrition Division
USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
08.2023 - Current
Chief, Community Nutrition Programs
USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
02.2023 - 08.2023
Policy Analyst, Food Loss and Waste
USDA, Office of the Chief Economist
06.2022 - 10.2022
Chief, Administrative Services and Analytics
USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
06.2020 - 02.2023
Assistant to Child Nutrition Director
USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
08.2014 - 05.2020
Chief, School Programs Branch
USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
04.2012 - 05.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Communication
Rutgers University
No Degree - Nutrition Sciences
Kansas State University
Master of Science - Public Health
Central Michigan University
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