Campbell elevates from within for new community affairs director

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Kate Barrett has been tapped as Campbell Soup Co.’s director of community affairs, and will step into the role May 6.

Barrett, who currently serves as senior community impact manager, succeeds Kim Fortunato, who is retiring.

In her new role, Barrett will be responsible for setting the strategy and direction of Campbell’s community affairs work, including employee volunteerism, philanthropy, sponsorships and the company’s Full Futures program, which focuses on advancing the school nutrition environment. She will also serve as the president of the Campbell Soup Foundation, pending approval by the Foundation’s board of trustees.

Barrett will report to Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs Anthony Sanzio.

“For more than 150 years, Campbell has been committed to supporting the communities we call home and to building a legacy of impact,” said Sanzio in a prepared statement. “Since joining Campbell, Kate has played a key role in designing our strategies and programs, and I am confident our community work will build upon that legacy under her leadership.”

Barrett joined Campbell in 2017 as senior manager of community impact, overseeing the company’s direct philanthropic giving and supported the design and management of signature philanthropic programs, Campbell’s Healthy Communities and Full Futures. She was elected vice president of the Campbell Soup Foundation in 2019 and, according to the company, was vital in revamping its operations and grantmaking approach to align with the company’s strategy and drive employee engagement.

Prior to 2017, Barrett was a project director at The Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania. Early in her career, she held roles at technology startups as well as at the global management consulting firm McKinsey & Co.

“I am honored to continue to build upon Campbell’s long history of community impact as we work to strengthen and empower vibrant and equitable communities in our hometowns and support the neighborhoods where our employees live and work,” Barrett said.

Fortunato joined Campbell in 2010 to launch Campbell’s Healthy Communities program, the 10-year, $10 million initiative to improve the health of young people in Campbell communities. In 2016, Fortunato began leading Campbell’s community affairs strategy and programs and became the first woman to lead the Campbell Soup Foundation.

“Kim has consistently lived Campbell’s values by caring, collaborating and seeking creative ways to drive impact, while focusing on equity and inclusion in our community work. We are grateful for her many meaningful contributions and wish her the best in her retirement,” said Sanzio.