2025 Most Influential Women: Meleah Spencer

When Meleah Spencer took the helm at The Kitchen Inc., it was a full-circle moment. In high school, she had volunteered with the nonprofit that seeks to end homelessness.

“That journey, from volunteer to organizational leader, reflects my commitment to service,” says Spencer, who became The Kitchen’s CEO in 2017.

She learned leadership early.

“From my earliest experiences in 4-H and Future Farmers of America, where I learned to run meetings, lead peers and manage responsibilities such as raising and showing registered Holstein dairy cattle, to leading 100 young women as president of my sorority at Drury University, I learned how to motivate others, make tough decisions and navigate conflict with compassion,” says Spencer, who was Springfield Business Journal’s 2022 Community Involvement Champion of the Year.

She brought a variety of experiences to The Kitchen. Previous employers include Hallmark, where Spencer led high-performing retail teams, to Drury University, where she worked in annual giving and consistently raised more than $2 million a year.

Spencer has applied that same work ethic to The Kitchen.

“We achieved expedited reaccreditation through the Council on Accreditation with no out-of-compliance ratings, a rare and exceptional outcome,” she says. “I’ve also overseen major housing developments, improved internal leadership capacity … and secured over $5 million in federal funds without a capital campaign.”

The Kitchen has grown in financial stability and reach under Spencer, says Stephanie Ireland, CEO of Ireland Architects Inc., who has designed facilities for the nonprofit.

“Meleah has transformed the organization into a beacon of hope for tens of thousands of homeless individuals throughout Springfield,” Ireland says. She notes that the nonprofit’s move to a modern complex with an emergency shelter, an increase in permanent housing and a second emergency shelter slated to open in 2026 have occurred under Spencer’s leadership.

“Her strategic decision to revitalize the organization by uplifting those who are committed to the cause has not only improved internal operations but also elevated the impact of community outreach efforts,” Ireland says. “Springfield is incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated leader.”

Spencer says she fosters a culture of personal development and internal promotion in order to build a pipeline of nonprofit leaders, and she advocates to raise awareness of homelessness to serve as many people as possible. In 2024, The Kitchen housed 720 people.

“By building up others, especially those who are often overlooked, I help create ripple effects that benefit the entire community,” Spencer says.