Fundraising veteran Lisa Hamaker joined nonprofit organization The Kitchen Aug. 25 as its director of major gifts. Previously, Hamaker served as the first development director for the Landers Theater, where she spent 10 years. She also spent nearly two years as morning show host for KTXR-FM.
Q: How did you come to join The Kitchen, and what does your job entail?
A: I was approached by The Kitchen (leaders) because they were looking at building their development department, which was relatively new. ... My primary responsibility is serving as a community outreach person, educating individuals and businesses about what the Kitchen is and what we do. I'm (also) working on reaching out to some of our individual donors and other businesses and getting them more involved in some of our special events.
Q: What do you want people to know about The Kitchen?
A: A lot of folks think we're just the Missouri Hotel, or we're just a soup kitchen, or we're the free health and dental clinic. Those are only components of the many areas we've branched out into. It all begins with that concept of welcoming and caring for people. First you feed and house and clothe them, and then you work on building back self-esteem and teaching life skills that they may not have been taught - teaching parenting skills, helping them get their GED, balance a budget - and then move them back out into the community.
Q: How does your previous experience serve this job?
A: One of the things I think I do best is to create bridges between organizations and businesses and individuals. Collaborations are very important, especially in this day and age where we have to work together with other organizations. That's something I was strong at with the Landers, and it's an effort I intend to continue here. The Landers is an arts organization ... but I worked with The Kitchen on several fundraisers when we produced Nunsense and Nunsense 2. So those collaborations between nonprofit organizations and businesses are something I can do here at the Kitchen as well.
Q: What immediate goals have you set for yourself?
A: One of the things I'm looking at trying to accomplish is increasing participation in Tuesdays with the Kitchen, which is a breakfast informational program where we bring in different groups, clubs and organizations and community leaders, so we can show them opportunities where they can be part of our mission. Our mission is being a place where all people, especially the poor, are welcomed and cared for with dignity and compassion. Truly, the biggest effort for me is to just reach more people and let them know how the services of the Kitchen have expanded.
Q: Tell us about your family and hobbies.
A: I have three children - Daniel is 7, Lena is 11 and Joseph is 14. A lot of my spare time is spent in their spare time: Daniel plays ice hockey, Lena swims with the Springfield Aquatics swim team and plays the violin, and Joseph runs track, plays the drums and is your typical 14-year-old. Between the three of them and my job, when I get a chance, I like to just kick off my shoes and read a good book.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
