Food For The Poor Appoints Denise Cagley-Jefferson as Executive Director of Jamaica Office
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 29, 2026) — Food For The Poor (FFTP) has appointed Denise Cagley-Jefferson as the new Executive Director of FFTP-Jamaica, bringing to the role decades of experience in nonprofit service, international development, disaster response, and sustainable community-focused work.
Cagley-Jefferson officially began in early April and transitioned to Jamaica this month. Her appointment follows an extensive recruitment process that drew a highly qualified pool of candidates from across the nonprofit and development sectors.
“Denise brings a rare blend of strategic leadership, field experience, and heart for service,” said FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine. “She understands disaster response, agriculture, sustainability, and the role trusted nonprofit partnerships play in strengthening communities. Just as importantly, she understands Jamaica, and we are excited about the leadership she will bring to our work there.”
Cagley-Jefferson comes to FFTP following a career dedicated to service, including work in the nonprofit sector and, most recently, 15 years with the U.S. government, including USAID. She also brings longstanding ties to Jamaica, which began in 1995 during an undergraduate study abroad experience.
Her connection to FFTP also comes full circle. Through a nonprofit she founded years ago, one of her first donors was FFTP, which helped support the construction of a clinic and provided medical equipment and supplies.
“It is truly a pleasure to join Food For The Poor, and I am deeply honored by the warm welcome I have already received,” Cagley-Jefferson said.
“This is a full-circle moment for me, both professionally and personally,” she said. “I have had a 30-year relationship with Jamaica, and I feel as though I have been preparing for this opportunity throughout my career. I am deeply committed to Food For The Poor’s mission and look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place, learning from the team, and serving the people of Jamaica with compassion, excellence, and purpose.”
Cagley-Jefferson also brings direct experience from the front lines of emergency response in Jamaica. During the response to Hurricane Melissa, she played a key role in coordinating efforts connected to World Central Kitchen and worked alongside emergency response stakeholders supporting impacted communities.
Her background also includes work in agricultural development, sustainability, Peace Corps service, and leadership within large international development programs.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Denise to Food For The Poor-Jamaica,” said Andrew Mahfood, Chairman of FFTP-Jamaica’s Board of Directors. “We have all enjoyed our conversations with her, and I am confident she possesses the skillset and people values necessary to enable her to really drive Food For the Poor-Jamaica to the next level and continue ensuring we execute on our mandate to serve the less fortunate with the highest levels of stewardship for our donors and partners.”
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the United States, is committed to facilitating paths out of poverty and transforming lives. As an interdenominational Christian ministry, we help families across Latin America and the Caribbean. Our efforts span urgent humanitarian relief and long-term development – from emergency aid and hunger alleviation to education, housing, and economic empowerment. We follow a distinctive approach that integrates faith, multi-sector strategies, and trusted partnerships. Whenever possible, we strive to work at the community level, partnering with local leaders and residents to co-create sustainable solutions that address the multi-dimensional nature of poverty. For more information, please visit foodforthepoor.org.
Michael Turnbell
Communications
954-471-0928
[email protected]
