Kathy Argentar
she/her
Title: Senior Development and Strategy Consultant
As Senior Development and Strategy Consultant, Kathy Argentar manages Pilot Light’s relationships with institutional donors including corporations, foundations, and government agencies. She supports Pilot Light’s growth through writing/managing grants, securing sponsorships, and actively building relationships with institutions and organizations that are aligned with Pilot Light’s mission.
With over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit industry, Kathy also supports Pilot Light leadership on strategic direction and decision-making. Her passion for Pilot Light is rooted in our unique, thoughtfully-designed model that is firmly based on our standards and has the power to engage & empower students while celebrating teachers for the amazing work they do every day.
Kathy earned a B.S. in Management from Purdue University and attended Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management. She was previously the co-founder and President of Friends of Audubon and Development Manager for Namaste Charter School. Kathy’s company, WriteField, LLC, has secured over $8,000,000 for clients in the field of education and health & human services. She is a lifelong learner, DIY wannabe, proud mom of two adult daughters, and a longtime resident of Chicago’s Roscoe Village neighborhood, where she lives with her husband, Dave.
Favorite Food Education Standard: FES #7 – We can advocate for food choices and changes that impact ourselves, our communities, and our world:
My favorite Pilot Light standard is number 7 because it instills in young people the understanding that their voice matters and that they can make a difference. Through activities that build curiosity and identity, our model truly connects kids with each other, with their teachers, and with the world around them in a way that is wholly inclusive. The positive messaging generates a “can do” attitude and excites students about their learning while also encouraging them to model informed food choices and behaviors that inspire their peers, their families, and their communities.
A favorite food memory or recipe:
I grew up in northeast Ohio where there were frequent thunderstorms. Our front porch faced west, and when a storm was approaching, my sisters and I loved to sit outside and watch it roll in. My mom would make strawberry shortcake, and we would savor it slowly as we anticipated the first fat raindrop falling from the sky. When the thunder and lightning began in earnest, we ran inside, finished our dessert, and waited for the lightning bugs to appear.
Reach me: kathy@pilotlightchefs.org or connect with me on LinkedIn!