Planning for a Successor Now Underway
The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) board of directors announced today that CEO Matt Unger will be resigning effective June 30, 2025. In the months prior to his departure, Unger will be assisting with the transition of his successor, who is yet to be named.
Unger describes his nearly 6 years with the organization in two simple words …“Incredibly Impactful”.
As the first lay leader of DMARC, Unger has led the organization through one of the most impactful periods in its 70+ year history. Unger began his tenure in 2019 navigating the global pandemic without closing their doors for a single day due to the virus. In the aftermath he managed the organization’s response to the unprecedented growth in the number of people experiencing food insecurity; working with his staff to find new and innovative ways to provide for this growing need.
One of Unger’s greatest contributions has been the successful completion of the ‘Food Today, Change Tomorrow’ capital campaign and project for the expansion and relocation of DMARC to its new facilities at 100 Army Post Road. This project brought the warehouse operations, administration, and DMARC’s first-ever on-site food pantry together under one roof – all through the thick of the pandemic. Unger has referred to the timing of this project’s completion as “nothing short of miraculous” as the new facility would provide the added resources and capacity needed to meet the sky-rocketing demands that came immediately thereafter.

“From the beginning, I have kept in mind that this role was never about me. It’s the people who guide and support our efforts every day that make DMARC such a vital proponent for change in our community. I’m grateful that together we have had an opportunity to assist over 130,000 individuals in greater Des Moines since I joined this organization; and our job isn’t finished. I know our leadership will continue to put people first and guide our community to a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive – all of our neighbors.” Said Matt Unger, DMARC CEO.
At the beginning of Unger’s tenure in, 2019, DMARC annually assisted 42,848 unique individuals. In 2024, the organization assisted a record 75,519 unique individuals, highlighting the importance of the emergency food system during an ongoing crisis for working families and adults.
“For Matt, it’s clear this role has always been about more than just what goes on inside these four walls,” said DMARC Board of Directors, President Rachel Collier Murdock. “Under Matt’s leadership, this organization has found tremendous success in meeting the basic needs of so many of our neighbors during an incredibly strenuous period.”
DMARC CEO TRANSITION TIMELINE
- July 2024: Unger disclosed to DMARC Board of Directors his plan for succession FY25
- Feb. 1, 2025: DMARC CEO Matt Unger announces his plan to resign and agreement to assist with the transition of a successor during the remainder of his tenure.
- Feb. 3 to April: The position is posted, search for candidates is conducted.
- Mid-April: New CEO announced, to overlap with the remainder of Unger’s tenure and guidance for the transition with key community stakeholders.
- June 30: Matt Unger officially steps down from role as CEO.
During this time, DMARC has continued to advocate for systems-based change and policy that helps shorten the lines at food pantries. The organization has become a vocal leader in the efforts to curb food and nutrition programs like SNAP and advocated for the passage of summer food aid in the form of the Summer EBT program in the state.
“Together, DMARC’s network of food pantries has expanded access to food at a time when financial resources are strained. Rising food costs and our day-to-day operations have been challenging. Yet still, our community continues to step up to meet the need,” said DMARC Board of Directors President-elect Lendie Follett, PH.D. “We are so grateful to Matt for leading by example and setting our organization up for success in the future.”
DMARC plans to announce the hiring of a new CEO before the conclusion of the organization’s fiscal year in June 2025. Unger will work collaboratively with new leadership to help onboard them with the pantry network and community for the remainder of their overlapping tenure.
“Now is an opportunity to put my faith in our people again during this critical time in our organization’s history,” Said Unger. “In my time here, we have enjoyed incredible community support and worked with many great partners – too many to list. But now we are at a turning point where new ideas, partnerships, and vision will be critical in carrying DMARC forward into meeting the challenges that lie ahead. Our mission continues.”
About Matt:
Matt Unger has been involved in fighting food insecurity for over 10 years including more than 6 years at the Food Bank of Iowa, and the last 5+ as CEO at DMARC. Prior to joining the non-profit sector, Matt spent more than a dozen years working in the world of political campaigns and management of state government. His political career spanned multiple Iowa Caucus campaigns, Iowa Gubernatorial campaigns, and a four-year stint as Chief of Staff to Lt. Governor Patty Judge. Judge and Unger then partnered in a consulting firm, PJJ Solutions, where they would focus not just on political campaigns, but business and organizational strategy as well as public policy. Originally from Wisconsin, Matt, a Drake grad, has called Des Moines home for over 25 years, and lives with his wife, Anita, in Beaverdale.
From the beginning, I have kept in mind that this role was never about me. It’s the people who guide and support our efforts every day that make DMARC such a vital proponent for change in our community.
Matt Unger, DMARC CEO