Friendly, Fabulous Foodbankers: A Conversation with Julie Yurko

Julie Yurko is President & CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank, where she leads a neighbor-centric transformation of the charitable food system to deliver dignified, equitable access across 13 counties. A respected nonprofit leader and past president of Apra International, she serves on the boards of the Global FoodBanking Network, Better Business Bureau of Chicago, Feeding Illinois, and the Thrivent Member Network. In this episode, we trace Julie’s path from cello student and Chicago Symphony Orchestra fundraiser to crisis-tested food bank chief—exploring how faith, lived experience, and innovative community partnerships shape her vision to end hunger.