CHAD UMBLE | Staff WriterThe nonprofit that runs Lancaster Central Market is looking for a new leader after learning that its first-ever executive director plans to resign.
Melissa Siwiec, who will stay on until her replacement is found, was hired in March 2022 as the executive director for the Central Market Trust, which oversees the historic downtown market. She is resigning to move to New Orleans, where her husband has a new job.
“It’s really been my pleasure to serve the community in this position. I think we have implemented some really great things that will benefit the community,” Siwiec said.
During her tenure, Siwiec oversaw fundraising and helped plan for and begin some new initiatives, including the Kathleen L. Peck After Market program, which allows the public to browse and select produce and prepared items that are near the end of their shelf life, free of charge. She also helped begin a pilot program to accept food stamps at the market.
“She has been a great partner in not only commencing work to achieve the strategic goals, but to further develop the organizational infrastructure needed to support our mission now and in the future,” said Bruce Martin, chair of the Lancaster Central Market Trust.
Siwiec notified the board of her plans in late September and the board subsequently formed a committee to develop a transition plan, Martin said. A formal search will begin “in a few weeks” for Siwiec’s replacement, an effort that will be led by Tri-Starr, a Manheim Township-based staffing agency.
Prior to coming to the Central Market Trust, Siwiec worked as a nonprofit consultant, having previously spent six years leading the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lancaster County. Before that, she was vice president of community impact for the United Way of Lancaster County.
Siwiec’s husband, Wendell Esbenshade, began a job in October as director of marketing and communications for the Tulane University’s School of Social Work. He previously was director of marketing and communications for the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences in East Lampeter Township.
Siwiec said she plans to leave for New Orleans in the next few weeks and will continue working remotely for the Central Market Trust, returning to Lancaster as needed.
The Central Market Trust has operated the city-owned market since 2006. The market consists of 60-plus standholders who set up Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays inside the circa-1889 Romanesque Revival style market building at 23 N. Market St. just off Penn Square in downtown Lancaster.
