Solita M. Wakefield

President / COO *

Solita Wakefield is a former Senior Research Officer at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where she served since 1991, and also worked as a consultant for the World Bank. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics from Maryknoll College and her master’s degree in Economics from Long Island University.

She also pursued doctoral studies at New York University and George Mason University. She is a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon Economics Honor Society, New York Chapter. She previously served as Vice President for two years and President for four years of the World Bank Group/IMF Filipino Staff Association, with a membership of around 600 Filipino staff.

An active Board Member and Officer of Feed the Hungry since 1997, Solita has served as Program Director for Feeding & Nutrition, Calamity Assistance, and Livelihood Programs dedicated to uplifting underserved communities.

In 2010, she received the prestigious TOFA (Twenty Outstanding Filipinos Abroad) Awards in recognition of her leadership, professional achievements, and service to the Filipino community abroad.

In 2011, Solita, together with Feed the Hungry founder, Tessie Alarcon, was featured in Tatler Magazine, Philippines as one of five influential Filipino women in the United States recognized for their advocacies and community leadership.

During her college alumni’s 50th Golden Jubilee in 2025, Solita received the Triple A Award (Amazing Alumni Achiever), an honor endorsed by her fellow alumni, including former Philippine Embassy Consul General to Washington, D.C. Jose Victor Chan Gonzaga, former Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Rowena Mendoza Sánchez, and former Commission on Filipinos Overseas Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang.

Beyond her professional and civic endeavors, Solita remains deeply committed to her faith and parish community, where she serves as a Eucharistic Minister. Guided by a spirit of service, compassion, and stewardship, she continues to champion initiatives that combat hunger, alleviate poverty, promote self-reliance, and bring hope to vulnerable individuals and communities.

“Service is love in action. By helping others rise, we create stronger families, stronger communities, and a more compassionate world.”