Sept. 24, 2020 – The Regional Food Bank Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of Stacy Dykstra as its CEO. Dykstra will start in her new role on Monday, Oct. 12. She is the third CEO in the nonprofit’s 40-year history.
“On behalf of the full Regional Food Bank Board of Directors and myself, we are very excited to have Stacy joining us as our CEO,” said Ben Williams, chair of the Regional Food Bank board. “She embodies the Regional Food Bank values of Vitality, Innovation and Stewardship and brings with her a real passion for serving our neighbors in need here in Oklahoma. We believe she is the right leader for the future of this critical organization in our community.”
“I am both excited and grateful for this opportunity to join a team so committed to ending hunger in our state,” Dykstra said.
Prior to joining the Regional Food Bank, Dykstra has led Smart Start Central Oklahoma since 2006. The nonprofit is dedicated to ensuring all children in Oklahoma County receive the smart start they need and deserve.
“We are extremely grateful for Stacy’s service and leadership since our inception in 2006,” said Anna Davis, board chair for Smart Start Central Oklahoma. “Stacy is a tireless advocate for young children and families and has positioned SSCO to continue to grow our mission of building a community that supports parents and caregivers as a child’s first and most influential teacher. We are delighted that Stacy will be able to use her gifts to continue to support individuals across the state.”
In her role as the Smart Start Central Oklahoma executive director, Dykstra participated in more than 100 community meetings in which she presented, facilitated, and/or served as the coordinator. Using a variety of teaching styles, she has trained hundreds of professionals serving young children and their families and taught various college courses focused on family support. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum. Dykstra’s prior work experience includes serving as co-director of the Lower School at Westminster School, project director for the Early Childhood Collaborative of Oklahoma and as a pre-K and kindergarten teacher for Oklahoma City Public Schools. Her graduate work in instructional leadership as well as her experience with project management contribute to her ability to listen, appreciate diverse perspectives and facilitate constructive conversation and consensus-building.
“Providing support for our Oklahoma County families with young children in collaboration with our trusted community partners has been an honor and I am proud of the impact Smart Start continues to make in our community,” said Dykstra.
Dykstra fills a position that was vacated when Katie Fitzgerald accepted a position with Feeding America earlier in the year. Deb Bunting served as the Regional Food Bank’s interim CEO and will remain with the organization as the Chief Business Intelligence Officer.
About Smart Start Central Oklahoma
Smart Start Central Oklahoma partners with over 4,000 families with children under 5 each year. Our programs are provided in more than 40 schools in five school districts in Oklahoma County and eight satellite locations, including hospitals, clinics, community agencies and nonprofit organizations. These programs promote healthy parent-child relationships, positive early learning experiences and purposeful parenting techniques which lead to children who are more prepared to successfully engage in school. Smart Start Central Oklahoma is dedicated to ensuring all children in Oklahoma County start school safe, healthy, eager to learn and ready to succeed. Visit smartstartcentraloklahoma.org for additional information.
About the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is leading the fight against hunger in 53 counties in central and western Oklahoma and envisions a state where everyone, regardless of circumstance, has access to nutritious food. Founded in 1980, the Regional Food Bank is the state’s largest hunger-relief 501(c)(3) nonprofit that distributes food through a network of community-based partner agencies and schools. The majority of people served by the Regional Food Bank are chronically hungry children, seniors living on fixed incomes and hardworking families struggling to make ends meet. The Regional Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s network of food banks. To join the fight to end hunger, visit rfbo.org.
