Rima Fakih Slaiby Appointed to World Food Program USA Board of Directors

World Food Program USA welcomeed Rima Fakih Slaiby—Lebanese-American philanthropist, humanitarian and global hunger advocate—to its Board of Directors. The Miss USA 2010 will work closely with us to advance and build support for the United Nations World Food Programme’s mission to defeat global hunger. In close collaboration with World Food Program USA, Slaiby will help introduce the WFP’s mission to new audiences and secure additional funding as they work to feed 110 million hungry people across 88 countries this year.

“We are honored to welcome Rima to our Board and know that she will bring tremendous value to our organization. Rima is an inspiration to me each day, and I know that she will inspire others to support our mission,” said Barron Segar, President and CEO, World Food Program USA. “The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed nearly 272 million people into severe hunger, and they urgently need our help. We look forward to working with Rima to bring attention and funding to our mission so that we can save as many lives as possible”.

The Lebanese humanitarian said she is honored to join World Food Program USA’s Board of Directors. She added: “The number of people struck by hunger across the world is horrifying and intolerable! It's a duty upon the privileged to use their fame to prevent their fellow humans from starving. I myself was born in a war-torn country; I know what it's like to worry about putting food on the table. I am truly honored to have been selected to collaborate with the WFP in its mission to defeat global hunger.”

As a Board member, she will bring awareness and understanding to the issues faced by vulnerable communities, particularly in Lebanon and the Middle East.

Rima, who was raised in Dearborn, Michigan, rose to national prominence in 2010 when she became the first and only immigrant, Arab woman to be crowned Miss USA. In addition to serving on the Board, she is an Ambassador of the Children’s Cancer Center Lebanon, Ambassador of School On Wheels Foundation, and a Board Member with Best Buddies International Foundation.

Both, Rima and her husband Wassim “SAL” Slaiby – Founder and CEO, SALXCO/XO Records – are passionate supporters and champions of the U.N. World Food Programme’s mission.

In May 2020, they started a GoFundMe to raise funds for U.N. World Food Programme efforts in Lebanon, resulting in $120,000 in 24 hours. Following the August 2020 explosion at the port of Beirut, the pair launched the Global Aid for Lebanon campaign—in collaboration with World Food Program USA, Global Citizen, Red Cross Lebanon, and Children’s Cancer Center Lebanon—to raise funds for blast victims. The campaign raised more than a $1 million.