Andrea Youndt Named New Chief Executive Officer of Chester County Food Bank
The Chester County Food Bank is pleased to announce Andrea Youndt as the new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Larry Welsch, who retired from the organization at the end of December after serving over ten years as the founding executive director. Youndt began her position on January 4.
Ms. Youndt’s extensive nonprofit experience includes nearly 20 years with regional YMCAs
serving as Executive Director, District Vice President and most recently as Senior Vice President / Chief Operating Officer of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine.
“The Chester County Food Bank is an admired organization in the county, and I am honored to have been selected to continue the work that Larry started with the organization,” said Youndt. “I am looking forward to joining the CCFB team of passionate and talented professionals.”
The Chester County Food Bank is the central hunger relief organization in Chester County serving over 120 network partners such as food cupboards, shelters, and senior centers. The Food Bank distributes more than 3.2 million pounds of food and has seen an upwards of 30% increase of need since the start of the coronavirus in March 2020.
“I am in awe of the work of Food Bank and its network of community partners,” said Youndt. “I look forward to bringing my experience to this talented team as we continue to ensure access to real, healthy food and to prepare for the post-COVID rebuilding.”
“We had a tremendous response to the CEO position; applicants from near and far,” said Bob McNeil, Founding (and current) Chairman of CCFB. “Andrea’s energy and passion for Chester County along with her extensive strategic planning and relationship building with the YMCA made her a standout for the role of CEO,” continued McNeil. “Larry made an outstanding legacy at the Food Bank,” said McNeil. “The Board of Directors looks forward to working with Andrea as she makes her place with this team of extraordinary people that have an admirable passion for the mission of the Food Bank.”
“The role of Executive Director has been the greatest opportunity of my career, said Larry Welsch upon his retirement. “I had the privilege of learning from the staff, agencies, donors, and clients and for that I am eternally grateful. I have no doubt of the compassion that Andrea will bring to CCFB and the community,” said Welsch. “I am excited to watch her journey.”
Youndt, holds a Bachelor of Science from University of Delaware and a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Wilmington University. Originally from Lancaster County, she was a resident of Glen Mills for 25 years, and for the past four years has lived in Kennett Square, Chester County.
Ms. Youndt has led 12 mission trips through the Bread for the Children mission program to Lima, Puculpa, and Iquitos, Peru over the past 18 years.