Meet Wayne Stickney: CDO of Second Harvest Food Bank

What’s your role at Second Harvest Food Bank, and how long you’ve been with SHFB?

My role here is Chief Development Officer – I’ve been in this position for just about two years now. It’s been an amazing journey so far.

Who is your hero and why?

I’ve had many heroes and mentors as the seasons of my life have changed over time. But right now, my heroes are my three kids.

My oldest child is a 15-year-old daughter who just finished her freshman year of high school and plays both beach and indoor volleyball. My younger daughter is 12 years old and going into 8th grade – she plays water polo and has the nickname “Beast Mode" because of how amazing she is at it. My son is going into 4th grade and is also very active in sports. Sports have always been a big part of my life, which is why I’ve been a youth sports coach in multiple sports for the past nine years as well.

I watch the three of them grow, face challenges, and keep pushing forward when it gets tough – it just gives me so much hope. They remind me to be brave in the attempt, even when it’s hard. Their resilience is truly inspiring.

What is the most valuable piece of advice that you’ve learned?
That’s a tough one, there’s been so much good advice over the years. But I’d have to say the most valuable thing I’ve learned is to become an avid reader.

A coach once challenged me to read just 10 pages of a good book per day, explaining how the compounding impact of small daily habits can be powerful. So, I made the effort to carve out that reading time. Within six months, I had read 17 books, and my highest yearly total has been 36 books. This advice has truly shaped my life – reading has opened doors to new perspectives, sharpened my critical thinking, and helped me constantly evolve by exposing me to diverse viewpoints. Collecting this knowledge has expanded my worldview. It’s been invaluable, both personally and professionally.

What does Feeding OC mean to you?

For me, Feeding OC is all about meeting the immediate needs of people in our community TODAY. That’s the core of what we do here.

In the food insecurity space, there’s often a tug-of-war between funders who want to invest in long-term solutions to “end the line," versus those focused on immediately “feeding the line" and meeting people’s current needs. For me, and the organization, the priority is on feeding the line today. People need food now, and that has to be our number one focus. Of course, we also work on collaborations and long-term solutions to help end food insecurity in our community. But when you ask me what “feeding OC" means to me, it’s about meeting people’s immediate needs and making sure folks have access to nourishing food right now, when they need it most.

What do you love most about working at Second Harvest Food Bank?
There’s so much to love! But I’d have to say it’s the people and the culture. The team we’ve built here is just top-notch. There’s such a great mix of passion for the cause, fun, and genuine care for one another. I look forward to coming to work every day.

I also truly believe in the mission and the cause. When I look at the landscape of great non-profit organizations out there, I have to say that Second Harvest’s work is right up there at the top. The focus on nutrition, food security, and nourishing the whole person – that’s the kind of impactful work that really speaks to me.

The leadership here is also incredibly intentional about fostering that culture of continuous improvement. It really feels like a ‘laboratory for leadership development’, where we’re all constantly learning, growing, and supporting each other. We’re always looking for ways to innovate and get better at what we do.

At the end of the day, what I love most is simply working alongside this amazing team of people. Their energy, their positivity, and their dedication to our mission – that’s what makes this job so fulfilling for me.

What does nutritional security mean to you?
Nutritional security is about making sure people have reliable access to foods that support their overall wellbeing – not just the bare minimum to get by. It’s about nourishing the body, mind, and brain so folks can truly thrive. That holistic approach is so important to me.

I view nutrition and physical health as inextricably linked to mental health and brain function. Just like an athlete needs proper nutrition to perform at their best, I believe people in all walks of life – students, workers, job seekers – require nutritious foods to support their whole wellbeing, not just basic survival. Nutrition feeds our bodies and gives us a fighting chance to approach life with consistency and clarity. Kids especially can’t go without proper nutrition, as their growing bodies and developing brains need those nutrients. That’s why I see nutritional security as being about reliable access to foods that nourish the whole self.

What has been your favorite memory from working at Second Harvest Food Bank?
As someone in a development role, I don’t always get the chance to interact directly with the people we serve at Second Harvest. We’re often more behind the scenes. But one experience at an event called Chef’s Giving really stuck with me. This was at a fundraiser in Newport Beach. That’s when I met a woman named Chrissy (not her real name). She approached me and simply said, “I just want to say thank you for what you all do." Chrissy then shared her story – she was a single parent who had lost her job right before summer break and was struggling to feed her two young kids. But she had discovered our food pantries, which provided not just the food she needed, but also crucial emotional support. Listening to her gratitude and resilience was incredibly moving and reminded me of the profound impact our work can have on real people’s lives.

Another one of my favorite memories is the way we celebrate successes as a team at Second Harvest, whether it’s a major event like our annual Walk to Feed OC, or even just completing an important internal process – we make sure to take time to bask in our accomplishments together, gathering in my office to enthusiastically clap and cheer using the ‘noisemaker clappers’ that my colleague Christine introduced. It’s not about humor or goofing around, but rather that genuine feeling of camaraderie and shared triumph, where we take pride in the fact that everything we do is successful. Even as a naturally competitive person, I love that collaborative, supportive spirit we’ve cultivated.

How can the community support Second Harvest Food Bank?
The main ways the community can support Second Harvest are through financial donations and volunteering time. As the Chief Development Officer, securing funding is a big part of my role, as those donations allow us to continue our important work. But the relationship building is just as crucial – it’s not just about the dollar amount.

Beyond writing a check, I encourage people to get to know us better by coming on one of our community tours. Spend time with me, or any of our dedicated staff to learn about the impact we’re having. And then, consider who else in your network could benefit from getting involved. Spreading awareness and building a community of support is key, because this isn’t just my job – it’s a passion we all share here at Second Harvest.