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Long-time MCHPP Executive Director Announces Retirement

Long-time MCHPP Executive Director Announces Retirement

Brunswick, ME – May 18, 2023

Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, Executive Director Karen Parker announced today her plans to retire in December 2023. She led the organization for nearly 13 years, during which time its annual revenue grew 386% and its number of services more than doubled. Parker will spend the remainder of her tenure leading succession planning and transition management to ensure a successful change in leadership that facilitates MCHPP’s continued efforts to provide access to healthy food for all members of the community.

The Board of Directors will manage a forthcoming search for Parker’s successor alongside Portland-based firm, ProSearch, Inc.

"The mid coast community has benefited greatly from Karen’s passion, leadership, and partnership building,” shares Dr. Carl Demars, MCHPP Board Chair. “The MCHPP staff, board and our many area partners feel privileged to have worked with Karen throughout her tenure and are enormously grateful for her many contributions.” Demars adds,“Karen informed us of her decision some time ago, allowing for plenty of time to identify a new Executive Director and coordinate a seamless transition.”

"It has been my great honor and privilege to serve as the leader of MCHPP since 2011,” states Karen Parker, MCHPP executive director. “I am proud of the organization we are today and the commitment our staff, board, volunteers, and donors demonstrate to our mission each and every day. As we honor the agency’s 40th year and reflect on how far we’ve come together, I could not be more excited about what’s next for this remarkable organization.”0

Parker leaves the organization in solid financial standing with policies and systems the board and staff can utilize in the continued growth of its many programs. “Karen’s work has been transformative for MCHPP, as well as the people they serve,” said Megan Hart, current Vice Chair of the Board and former Governance Committee Chair. “Her commitment to impactful and collaborative programming has created a lasting legacy that she should take great pride in.”0

During Karen’s tenure, she has guided the organization through several phases of expansion, including a 2015 capital campaign to expand the Tenney Way campus and the addition of a second facility to increase organizational capacity which was completed in 2022. Karen also oversaw the growth of MCHPP into the largest food security and hunger prevention organization in mid coast Maine. Under her leadership, MCHPP added its youth services program in 2013 which now partners with over 20 area schools and serves thousands of students each year. Not only did Karen safely lead the organization through the Covid-19 pandemic without service interruptions, she saw opportunity in the crisis and oversaw the expansion of MCHPP programs which work to reduce barriers to access and bring food closer to home for seniors and other vulnerable members of our community.