The Kitchen hires Discovery Center leader as CEO

RELATED

Business Spotlight: A Domain to Discover

Kitchen narrows search for CEO, nears fundraising goal

Kitchen CEO exits suddenly

Discovery Center balances operating losses

Last edited 2:57 p.m., Oct. 23, 2017

Nonprofit executive Meleah Spencer is making a move to The Kitchen Inc. from Discovery Center of Springfield Inc.

Spencer was named CEO of The Kitchen, four months after its longtime leader, Rorie Orgeron, suddenly exited the nonprofit for unspecified reasons. Spencer is expected to start around the end of November, said Roz Palmer, community development manager for The Kitchen.

A 10-year fundraising and development worker, Spencer became executive director of the Discovery Center in March 2014. She previously was director of development and alumni relations at Drury University.

At The Kitchen, Spencer will oversee a roughly 50-employee nonprofit with a budget of about $3.2 million, according to Springfield Business Journal list research. She’s also tasked with leading a final fundraising push for the homelessness service organization’s new $4 million campus at Glenstone Avenue and Chestnut Expressway. The campaign is about 3 percent away from its goal.

“With Meleah’s background, experience and passion, we’re looking forward to the next chapter with her at the helm,” The Kitchen board President Jim Newman said in a news release.