MacDonald, who will officially join Magic Breakfast from 22 November 2021, joins from youth employment charity Street League where she has been the joint chief executive since 2014. She was awarded her doctorate at Brunel University in 2015 and won a UK Women of the Future award in 2017, having been nominated by colleagues at Street League.
Speaking about her appointment MacDonald said: “I am delighted, and feel privileged, to be joining Magic Breakfast at such a pivotal time for the charity and its mission. The last year put a spotlight on the urgent need to tackle the UK’s unacceptable hunger crisis and make sure that no child is too hungry to learn.
“While it was a challenging year, we also saw what can be achieved with political will, effective investment, and dedicated people, organisations and communities working together.
“I was inspired by Magic Breakfast’s clear commitment to not just building on their support and delivery model to schools but also building the evidence base and influence needed to end morning hunger now, and for good. I am very excited to join the team, meet everyone and get stuck in!”
The charity partners with schools to provide healthy breakfasts to their pupils to ensure children don’t miss out on a morning of learning through a lack of nutritious food.
Joanne Thompson, chair of Magic Breakfast, added: “She has a strong track record of motivating teams to deliver impressive social impact, and of leading change and facilitating effective collaboration across charity, private and public sectors.
“Her passion and motivation to listen and work alongside staff, trustees, schools, young people, and with our partners to end morning hunger as a barrier to learning came through clearly during our recruitment process.
“Lindsey joins Magic Breakfast at an opportune time, as we redouble our work to ensure that child hunger remains high on the public agenda across the UK.”