HATCH Welcomes Emily Metz to Board of Directors

American Egg Board President and CEO brings 15+ years of agriculture and food systems leadership to HATCH Board of Directors

CARMEL, IN, UNITED STATES, September 29, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — CARMEL, IN, Sept. 29, 2026 — HATCH, the nation’s largest nonprofit addressing protein insecurity, has named Emily Metz, President & CEO of the American Egg Board, to its Board of Directors, adding an experienced agriculture and food-systems leader to its Board as it works to close the nation’s protein gap.

With more than 15 years of experience spanning agriculture, food systems, marketing and strategic communications, Metz brings deep experience working across producer organizations, national checkoff programs, government and industry partnerships. Her work in food policy and producer relations gives her a unique perspective on both American agriculture and hunger relief. Throughout her career, Metz has worked to strengthen relationships between producers, industry leaders, policymakers, and consumers.

“As HATCH scales to close the nation’s protein gap, we need leaders who know how to build partnerships across the entire food system,” said Danny Leckie, CEO of HATCH. “Emily has done exactly that throughout her career, and her leadership at the intersection of agriculture, policy and the protein industry will help us close the protein gap faster and more sustainably. Her insight will be invaluable as we grow, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to our Board.”

Metz has been recognized for her leadership in agriculture, including being named the 2026 National Agri-Marketing Association Ag Association Leader of the Year and a 2026 recipient of the Women in Agribusiness Demeter Award of Excellence, as well as receiving the 2023 Farm Foundation Emerging Leader Award. Metz’s appointment deepens HATCH’s bench of agriculture and protein industry leadership as the organization works to align American agricultural supply and protein education with the families who need it most.

“I am honored to join the HATCH Board and sit with farmers and incredible agriculture leaders who are passionate about ensuring that no one in this country goes without nourishment,” said Emily Metz, President & CEO of the American Egg Board. “America’s egg farmers were the first partners in HATCH’s mission to get high-quality protein to the families who need it most and I carry with me their mandate to find new ways to expand access for those most in need to the perfect protein: eggs. I can’t wait to be a part of the growth of HATCH and its critical mission.”

ABOUT HATCH

Founded in 2015, HATCH is on a mission to make lasting access to complete nutrition a reality for every community. Through partnerships with hunger relief organizations nationwide, HATCH helps deliver fresh, high-quality protein to families who need it most, creating stability, dignity, and nourishment where it’s often hardest to find. As a sourcing partner, HATCH connects protein producers with hunger relief organizations, helping navigate sourcing challenges and create sustainable pathways for nutritious protein to reach communities in need. HATCH is also a founding partner of the Coalition to Close the Protein Gap, a $40 million public-private initiative bringing together leaders across government, agriculture, industry, philanthropy, and hunger relief to permanently close America’s charitable protein gap. Together, Coalition partners are working to build the infrastructure and supply chain needed to deliver 3 billion protein-rich meals each year. HATCH is building a future where nutritious food is not a privilege, but a shared foundation for stronger, healthier generations to come. Follow HATCH on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

ABOUT AMERICAN EGG BOARD

Home of The Incredible Egg, American Egg Board (AEB) is the national marketing organization of America’s egg producers. Its mission is to increase demand for eggs and egg products through research, education and promotion. AEB is 100 percent producer-funded and located in Chicago, Illinois. For more, visit IncredibleEgg.org.
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Hannah Kruger-Burton
HATCH for Hunger
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