Shila Ulrich serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, where she leads the organization’s mission to reduce hunger and strengthen communities across the region. With a career rooted in service, collaboration, and systems-level thinking, Shila brings a deep understanding of both the charitable food network and the broader social conditions that shape food insecurity.

Prior to assuming her role at the Food Bank, Shila served as Executive Director of The Caring Cupboard, a choice food pantry serving the Palmyra, Annville, and Cleona communities. During her tenure, she led significant organizational growth, including the successful effort to assume operations of the JOY Food Pantry in Jonestown. Under her leadership, The Caring Cupboard was recognized as Partner of the Year Runner-Up in 2018 by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, an organization with more than 1,000 partner agencies.

Shila is deeply committed to community-driven solutions and has served in numerous leadership and advisory roles. She served on the boards of Palmyra Interfaith Manor and the Lebanon County Housing Authority, and was a member of the Better Together Lebanon County Steering Committee and the Healthy Food Access Committee, where she previously served as co-chair. Alongside other community leaders, she co-founded Palmyra’s Great Give, a grassroots initiative that has raised more than $200,000 for over 50 local organizations since its beginning.

In recognition of her leadership and community impact, Shila was inducted into the Lebanon County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2018 in the category of Women Demonstrating Leadership. She also received an Alumni Citation from Lebanon Valley College in 2022 for her contributions to the community.

Earlier in her career, Shila spent a decade working in community mental health settings, including both outpatient and inpatient care. She also volunteered with The Caring Cupboard for nine years prior to joining its staff. These experiences have shaped her holistic, people-centered approach to nonprofit leadership.

Shila holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Lebanon Valley College, a Master of Social Work from Temple University, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from Duke University.