|
Meredith Lathbury Girard worked as a senior program officer for the Town Creek Foundation from 2011 until June 2019. She was driven by her vision, and Town Creek’s vision, for a better future. A future that centers equity and treats people with fairness, care and compassion. A future where the Chesapeake Bay’s beauty and productivity are available for future generations. A future where good food and a good food economy is accessible to all.
Meredith was a co-founder of the Chesapeake Foodshed Network (CFN), recognizing the potential of a networked approach that brings like-minded changemakers together to achieve a shared vision. She believes that philanthropy has an important role to play beyond distributing financial resources, as a thought partner and doer, and she served as a remarkable example, giving selflessly of her time and incredible expertise. The CFN exists and thrives today due in large part to Meredith’s unwavering commitment and generosity.
That commitment went far beyond the launch of the CFN. Meredith served on the original CFN leadership committee and then as an inaugural Steering Team member. She led a multi-year planning group to launch CFN’s Community Ownership, Empowerment & Prosperity Action Team, a cutting edge initiative to identify strategies and guidelines for dismantling racism in the food system. She did all of this with gusto and razor sharp intelligence, and with great care so as to avoid wielding the privilege and power that comes with being a conduit to philanthropic dollars. Meredith has been a tireless ambassador for the CFN, forging connections with food system champions, identifying resource experts for programs, and creating capacity building initiatives for network participants.
Town Creek Foundation is in the process of their final spend down and, as a result, Meredith is transitioning into a new role in her community at Mid-Shore Pro Bono Inc., the Eastern Shore’s legal assistance network. Meredith has left an indelible mark and her legacy will live on in the work of the CFN. The Chesapeake Foodshed Network and our regional foodshed wish her the best of luck in all of her new endeavors.
From all at the Chesapeake Foodshed Network, WE THANK YOU, Meredith! We are deeply grateful for your leadership, innovation, inspiration, and support!
|
