Liberty’s Kitchen welcomes new slate of board officers

After ten years of dedicated service on the board of Liberty’s Kitchen (and eight as chair), Matthew Schwartz has decided to transition from the board of Liberty’s Kitchen. He will serve on the organization’s Advisory Board. Schwartz, a well-known developer known for his company Domain Companies’ many successful projects in Mid-City and the Central Business District, has long been passionate about youth and community development, and helped lead Liberty’s Kitchen through a relocation, two capital projects, the opening of a new downtown location (at 1615 Poydras Street), and leadership by three executive directors (Janet Gorence Davas, David Emond, and Dennis Bagneris.

In an email to the Board of Directors, Schwartz shared, “It has been an honor to serve this organization and to work with each and everyone one of [our board members]. My passion and commitment for Liberty’s Kitchen is unwavering, and I look forward to continuing to support LK however I can. Liberty’s Kitchen’s future is bright and I look forward to our continued success.” The Board of Directors selected Tiffany Harvill as its new Chair (she was formerly its Vice Chair), Patrick Bordnick as its new Vice Chair, and retained Scott Powell as Treasurer and Jeff Good as Secretary.

Tiffany Harvill, a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones Investments, has worn many hats across several industries and geographies including Entrepreneur, Chief Operating Officer, District Manager, Finance Director, Commercial Lender, Strategy Consultant and Public Accountant. Harvill is also actively involved in her local community serving as Advisory Board Member for WWNO/NPR Radio and Board Member of the Faubourg Avart Neighborhood Association. Harvill has served on the board of directors of Liberty’s Kitchen since 2017. Harvill shared, “I am super excited for the opportunity to serve as Chairperson of Liberty’s Kitchen’s Board of Directors. Taking the reins at this time is made easier by the groundwork laid by Chairperson Matt Schwartz. I am truly honored that my fellow Board members have entrusted me with this responsibility. I look forward to supporting Liberty’s Kitchen’s continued growth and community impact.” Patrick Bordnick, who joined the board in 2018, serves as the Dean of Tulane’s School of Social Work. Since joining the board, Bordnick has supported the organization by volunteering at events, assisting fundraising efforts, and providing guidance on strategy and partnership development.

Dennis Bagneris, CEO of Liberty’s Kitchen, shared: “Matt Schwartz has gone above and beyond the call of duty in his term as Board Chair for Liberty’s Kitchen. His commitment and dedication to this organization for the past 10 years has been nothing short of commendable. It has been an honor to build and grow this organization with him, and to us he will always be regarded as a champion for the youth Liberty’s Kitchen and the city of New Orleans. I also could not be happier to have amazing advocates and visionaries like Tiffany, Patrick, Scott, Jeff, and the rest of the board on our team as we head into an exciting new decade of evolution and progress.”

Liberty’s Kitchen creates pathways for New Orleans youth to create and achieve their vision of success through workforce training, leadership development, and support of healthy lifestyles. Founded in 2009 by Janet Gorence Davas, Liberty’s Kitchen has served over 750 young adults since the inception of its Youth Development Program. In its nearly ten years of existence, Liberty’s Kitchen has deepened its impact to include leadership development for alumni, work with employers to sustain long-term career pathways, and a number of food access partnerships that make fresh, healthy food more accessible for communities across New Orleans.