The Mustard Seed of Central Florida is grateful for the commitment of our dedicated board members. Kristen Stone, Board Chair, has served on our Board of Directors since 2019. With a background in human resources, focusing on talent management and organizational development, she brings her expertise to The Mustard Seed, overseeing a variety of committees, as well as board and agency development. We sat down with Kristen so that she may share a little more about why she is involved with TMS:
What brought you to being involved with The Mustard Seed of Central Florida?
I first volunteered with The Mustard Seed when I was a teenager—it was a much smaller operation then, but I knew I was contributing to something big. When I heard about an opening on the Board of Directors a few years ago, I took my next step in giving back to this outstanding organization.
What is your favorite part of being a board member?
Central Florida is my home and the people of Central Florida are my family. I love watching the mission of The Mustard Seed play out day-after-day, connecting families with much-needed furniture, household items, and clothing. I have a front row seat to watch our community heal, grow, and thrive!
Can you share one of your favorite memories of your involvement with The Mustard Seed?
I have witnessed so many touching moments and heard so many empowering stories during my time so far with The Mustard Seed. One of the most impactful stories I have heard came from Shawn Welcome, guest speaker at our 2022 Raise the Table event. Shawn, the successful yet incredibly humble Poet Laureate for the City of Orlando, dazzled the audience with his poetic charm as he told the story of his original connection to The Mustard Seed. Early in their relationship, Shawn and his wife found themselves in a tough financial situation. Our incredible team members were able to give Shawn and his wife the assistance they needed, furnishing their home, and providing a sense of stability. As Shawn eloquently relayed his heartfelt story, he gestured to a worn but well-maintained armchair that rested on the stage near him. It was one of the chairs that he and his wife received through The Mustard Seed many years ago, still serving as a symbol of hope, support, and resilience in their lives. It was a magical moment and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
How is your professional experience enhanced by serving on a Board of Directors?
To me, knowledge and connections are priceless. In sharing my HR/Talent Acquisition/Talent Management expertise while serving on the Board for The Mustard Seed, I have also gained a wealth of knowledge in aspects of business that I don’t typically handle—Operations, Finance, Strategic Planning, and even Governance. I have also made many new connections to other philanthropists and business leaders in Central Florida, working closely with my fellow Mustard Seed Board Members from leading companies like Advent Health, as well as forming new connections with local media contacts, government officials, non-profit leaders, and other business executives.
There are many ways to give and serve with The Mustard Seed of Central Florida. Are you interested in getting involved with The Mustard Seed and sharing your passion for the mission with our community? To learn more about becoming a board member with The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, the regions only furniture and clothing bank, email our Executive Director, Kathy Baldwin at kathy@mustardseedfla.org, or Board Chair, Kristen Stone at kstone@republicservices.com.
