Today, Jeanine officially announced her resignation from Open Table. She has served as its Executive Director for the past 9 years and as a volunteer for 5 years before that. This is a decision she has been contemplating for the better part of a year now and one she made with mixed emotions. She loves the mission of the organization, the people she works with, and the clients they serve but has also been craving a new challenge after nearly a decade of service. She informed the chairman of the board last week and offered a three-month notice period but delayed a broader announcement until today so as not to distract from last Friday’s Chopped for Charity annual fundraiser. Her last day will be September 14 after which she plans to take some time off for travel (Istanbul to see Nico play in the World Cup) and to spend more time participating in the design of the River House before looking for her next opportunity.

When Jeanine took the helm, Open Table was entirely dependent on others for their facilities and able to help a relatively small number of people. Under her leadership, Open Table has been transformed from a community-based dinner program to a provider of healthy and culturally appropriate groceries and prepared meals served from their main facility in Maynard and through several mobile pantries and delivery programs. She has been a prodigious fundraiser bringing in millions of dollars allowing the organization to acquire its own food distribution facility/commercial kitchen, offices, trucks, and most recently a food storage warehouse. Open Table now serves people experiencing food insecurity in 17 communities in the greater Boston metro west area. When the Covid pandemic struck, she led the pivot to new ways of working that kept volunteers and clients safe while answering the heightened needs.

When she returned home this evening, she was much relieved having shared her news with the entire Open Table team. She decided a celebration was in order and invited a few close friends and colleagues over to the house for an impromptu celebration which included a cheese board and mixed drinks, expertly prepared by Maya.