New members will help to strengthen the Association amid ongoing pandemic, “tackle” growing issues around senior hunger and isolation and provide direction for the future
Arlington, VA, October 6, 2021 – Meals on Wheels America today announced the addition of six new members to its Board of Directors, who were elected with overwhelming support by the Association’s membership in September and formally installed into office yesterday at its annual meeting of Members.
“As our nation continues to navigate the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, we in the Meals on Wheels network know we will continue to face new and broader challenges in the years to come. The number of older adults who need our help will continue to rise, and we must do all we can to ensure we are prepared to serve them. Augmenting our Board at this time with such diverse individuals reflects our commitment to bring to bear a wide range of skills, perspectives and experiences to tackle these growing issues so no senior is left behind,” said Patti Lyons, President, Senior Citizens, Inc. and Meals on Wheels America Board Chair.
The Board welcomes two new Directors who are chief executives of community-based Meals on Wheels programs and four other Directors, all of whom collectively have leadership experience in non-profits, for-profits and membership associations, spanning finance; people; management; public policy; community affairs; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI); marketing and corporate communications. Each will serve a three-year term, ending in 2024. They join six current directors who lead programs and three others from the business and communications arenas.
- Stephanie Archer-Smith, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels Central Maryland
- Lisa Davis, Senior Managing Director, Teneo
- Kevin Donnellan, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, AARP
- Rocky Egusquiza, Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Executive Director, Miami Marlins Foundation
- Marvin Irby, Interim CEO and Chief Financial and People Officer, National Restaurant Association
- Jennifer Steele, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky
“Notwithstanding that these past 18 months have tested us all more than we could have imagined, our Membership came together under the most challenging of circumstances to provide more services to more people in new and creative ways,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels America. “I’m excited to see the new heights our expanded and esteemed Board of Directors can help us reach – for the sake of the Association, for our Members and, most importantly, for older adults in need nationwide.”
Learn more about the full Meals on Wheels America Board of Directors here.
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ABOUT MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. This network serves virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million staff and volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits, and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, education, research, and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time.
Contact: Colleen Psomas, press@mealsonwheelsamerica.org