Glenda Cognevich joined DC Central Kitchen in April 2006 as the leader of our Finance team with the promise of only staying in the role for three years. A self-proclaimed wandering soul, Glenda’s career took her from the New Orleans hospitality scene to hands-on development work in newly independent states after the fall of the Soviet Union. She thought that globetrotting lifestyle might stick forever. But like Oz’s good witch, Glenda quickly realized there’s no place like home.
“From day one, I knew I had found a home here,” she shared during a celebration for her retirement last month at the Klein Center. “While I enjoyed other jobs, I didn’t get to connect with people like I’ve been able to connect here. That’s what has made it all worthwhile.”
During Glenda’s 19-year tenure as CFO, she helped DC Central Kitchen do more than just make payroll (though that was sometimes a near thing). She helped create opportunities for our people and our mission to grow. Thanks to Glenda’s stewardship, our staff receive industry-leading benefit packages including a matching 401K, financial planning services, medical, dental and life insurance. For an organization that has never operated with a formal business plan (read more about that in The Food Fighters), Glenda has been a stabilizing force for financial growth and our guide in ensuring award-winning financial transparency and accountability. DC Central Kitchen Founder Robert Egger calls Glenda’s initial hiring one of the “five best things” that ever happened to the organization while CEO Mike Curtin calls Glenda “a dear friend, a razor-sharp financial leader, and someone who has shown her generous heart and compassion for people throughout her time at the Kitchen.”
Over the past three months, Glenda has been working closely with the organization’s incoming Chief Financial Officer, Thomas Wright. With 30 years of financial and accounting experience in industries ranging from financial services to hospitality and education to advocacy and nonprofits, Thomas is uniquely positioned to lead the Kitchen into its next chapter.
“I joined DC Central Kitchen because of the impact it creates in the community and the people within the organization,” says Thomas. “I thank Glenda for her guidance during this transition, and look forward to working with the entire team to continue her legacy.”
DC Central Kitchen is eternally grateful to Glenda for her decades of steadfast service and principled leadership. Welcome to the Kitchen, Thomas!