I’m glad to write this as I settle into my role as Glean Kentucky’s new Executive Director. I’ve been with Glean Kentucky since 2016, when I started as the organization’s first full-time Development Director, and then transitioned in 2018 to Program Director. During that time, I’ve had a front-row seat to our steady growth – from an organization focused largely in Lexington, to one that now serves much of Central Kentucky as well as the Bowling Green area.
Coming most recently from the position of Program Director, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with dozens of our hard-working volunteers, produce growers, and recipient agencies. Whether gleaning apples at Reed Valley Orchard, picking up grocery excess from Good Foods Co-Op, or making the rounds at any number of farmers markets throughout the state, I’ve loved getting to surround myself with people who care deeply about feeding their fellow Kentuckians.
Without a doubt, we owe a tremendous gratitude to our long-time Executive Director, Stephanie Wooten, who steered this work for more than seven years. Thankfully, we’ve also built an incredibly talented team over that time, and are fortunate now to have the most experienced group of gleaning experts on staff that we’ve ever had. All this has made for the smoothest imaginable transition, and ensures our work continues without missing a step.
As we continue to grow the impact of our work – reaching deeper into the communities we already serve, and spreading our mission to new parts of the commonwealth – I’m grateful for the stability provided by our incredible volunteers, donors, and other stakeholders. I’m thrilled for the future of gleaning in Kentucky, and humbled by the opportunity to oversee this work into the future.
Thank you for being part of our efforts to address food insecurity and food waste in Kentucky. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected] if you’d ever like to discuss our work.