Project Bread Welcomes Eva Millona to its Board of Directors

WORCESTER, BOSTON, Mass. – Project Bread, the leading statewide food security nonprofit, is pleased to welcome Eva Millona, Foundation Fellow at Eastern Bank Foundation and a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, to its Board of Directors. Project Bread’s Board of Directors is a group of professionals who provide governance, expertise, and strategic support to the nonprofit.

"Eva brings remarkable experience bridging policy, institutional organizing, and systems change—the exact approach we need to create lasting food security for everyone in Massachusetts," said Erin McAleer, CEO of Project Bread. "Her deep understanding of how to build inclusive movements and navigate complex systems will be invaluable as we work to ensure that every person in Massachusetts has reliable access to healthy food. Eva's commitment to equity for all and her proven track record of driving meaningful policy change make her an exceptional addition to our board."

Most recently, Millona served as Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during the Biden-Harris Administration (2021-2025). She also served as Chief of the Office of Citizenship, Partnership and Engagement at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Before her government service, she spent over 13 years as President and CEO of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition and co-founded the National Partnership for New Americans in 2010. She also co-founded and co-chaired the Massachusetts Business Immigration Coalition in 2018.

Millona brings extensive experience across the nonprofit, foundation and government sectors to Project Bread. As CEO of the MIRA Coalition, she led the largest organization in New England promoting integration for new Americans, guiding the organization through multiple policy advancements while building a vision of inclusion and a fabric of trusted relationships. She brings a strong network across government, philanthropy and the immigrant community.

"Hunger is one of our most basic needs - universal to people regardless of where they were born. Throughout my career, I've witnessed the power of bringing communities together to drive policy change that creates a lasting impact for all families and strengthens our nation," said Millona. "Project Bread's work at the intersection of policy, prevention, and partnership resonates deeply with my own approach to systems change. I look forward to bringing my own civic experience to Project Bread’s work to eliminate hunger statewide."

Eva is recognized both nationally and internationally as an expert and leader on immigration policy and immigrant and refugee integration. She currently serves on the International Advisory Committee for Metropolis International, a global professional association dedicated to advancing evidence-based policymaking and promising practices in migration, social, economic and linguistic and social inclusion, and she has previously lectured at Boston College School of Social Work. A native of Albania, Millona practiced civil and criminal law before becoming the youngest district judge ever appointed to Tirana’s District Court, where she served from 1989 to 1992. After immigrating to the U.S., she directed the refugee resettlement program in Central Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Clark University, where she obtained a Master’s Degree in political science, and holds a law degree from the University of Tirana.

About Project Bread
Project Bread, the leading statewide food security organization in Massachusetts, connects people and communities in Massachusetts to reliable sources of food while advocating for policies that make food more accessible—so that no one goes hungry. For more information, visit: www.projectbread.org.

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