MANNA's New Executive Director
Posted 02/23/11
At their February meeting, MANNA FoodBank’s Board of Directors named Cynthia Threlkeld as our next Executive Director effective April 1. Cindy comes to MANNA from the U.S. Peace Corps, where she has been a Program Specialist in the Office of the Director, implementing strategic goals to shape the future of that organization. Prior to this, Cindy served as Country Director, first in Guatemala and later in Zambia. Cindy’s experience includes work directing a home-delivered meals service and an international exchange program in this country, and she holds an MBA with an emphasis in non-profit management.
The process by which we found Cindy began nine months ago when Kitty Schaller announced that she would be retiring. From more than 200 initial applicants, our Transition Team chose eleven candidates for telephone interviews. The Transition Team then invited candidates to MANNA for face to face interviews. Two finalists returned for a full day of meetings with staff, board, and community representatives. This thorough process assures us that Cindy is the right person to build on Kitty’s legacy of success.
In Kitty’s 6 ½ years as Executive Director, MANNA FoodBank has increased food distribution by 57%. New space has been added with the acquisition of the building adjacent to our original facility. Outreach and advocacy programs are ensuring that those who need food assistance benefits are receiving them. Since September 2005, more than 250,000 MANNA Packs have been distributed to children who might otherwise have gone without food over the weekend. Cindy Threlkeld shares Kitty’s passion for our work, and her strong non-profit management and organizational skills make her the ideal person to lead the FoodBank in the coming years. We are grateful for your support of MANNA and hope that you will help us welcome Cindy when she joins us here this spring.
