Table to Table Leader Inspires MSDA LEO Students on Nonprofit Impact

Heather Thompson, Executive Director of Table to Table, recently spoke with Mount St. Dominic Academy students in the two-year L.E.O. Entrepreneurship Program about her journey from musical theater to nonprofit leadership and the vital role of food rescue in addressing hunger. Table to Table collects surplus food and distributes it to shelters, pantries, and community kitchens, ensuring that good food reaches those in need rather than going to waste.

Thompson shared her career path, highlighting how passion and opportunity often intersect in unexpected ways. She encouraged students to keep an open mind about their future, emphasizing that skills in business, marketing, and entrepreneurship are highly valuable in the nonprofit world. “Nonprofits are businesses too,” she explained. “We rely on strategic planning, fundraising, and innovation to keep our mission moving forward.”

Discussing the challenges of nonprofit leadership, Thompson noted that while women make up 75% of nonprofit employees, only about 40% hold CEO positions. She urged students to embrace leadership roles with confidence. “You belong at the table—own your space and trust your expertise,” she advised.

Students also learned about Table to Table’s innovative use of technology, including an app that mobilizes volunteers for food rescues. Thompson encouraged students to get involved in meaningful ways, from organizing food drives to using their skills to support nonprofit missions. “Entrepreneurial thinking isn’t just for startups,” she said. “It’s how we solve real problems in our communities.”

Thompson’s visit left students with a new perspective on nonprofit work and how their skills and passions can create lasting impact.

A Lasting Impact on Students

Mount Principal Dr. Karen D’Avino praised the visit, emphasizing the impact of real-world lessons in leadership and service, “Heather Thompson’s story is a powerful example of how passion, perseverance, and innovation can create lasting change. Her insights reinforced our belief that leadership extends beyond the boardroom—it’s about making a difference in the world.”

L.E.O. course instructor Christine Victori highlighted the relevance of Thompson’s message to young women exploring entrepreneurship and leadership, “Heather’s journey showed our students that business principles apply to every industry, including the nonprofit sector. Her ability to bridge strategy with social impact resonated deeply with the students, inspiring them to think beyond traditional career paths.”

About the L.E.O. Program

Mount St. Dominic Academy is the second school in New Jersey, and the first all-girls school, selected for the Leonidas Foundation’s L.E.O. Program. This two-year initiative challenges students through a competitive application process and provides mentorship from entrepreneurs and business leaders. Participants learn about ideation, market research, and business plan development, attend lectures, visit organizations like UPS, and take part in a leadership conference in Washington, D.C. The program culminates in the LionWorks "Shark Tank" Competition, where winners receive college scholarships.

The program honors Leonidas “Leo” Vagias, a Don Bosco Prep alumnus who tragically passed away in 2016, and is the brother of Mount alumnae Alexandra Vagias ’18. The Leonidas Foundation, established in his memory, aims to cultivate business-minded leaders during their junior and senior years.

About Mount St. Dominic Academy

Mount St. Dominic Academy, founded in 1892 by the Sisters of St. Dominic, is an independent Catholic college preparatory school educating young women from diverse backgrounds.
MSDA offers signature programs such as the L.E.O. Entrepreneurship Program, Health Sciences and Social Justice Concentrations, and the Directed Research Senior Capstone, providing real-world experience for future success.

The Mount has earned top honors, including the 2024 College Board AP School Honor Roll “Gold with Access” and AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Awards for AP Computer Science A (2023) and AP Computer Science Principles (2023, 2024). It also received Gold Medals in the 2023 and 2024 Best of Essex contests for Best Private High School and an A+ rating on Niche’s 2024 Best Schools list, awarded to only 2.5% of US schools.

One hundred percent of graduates are accepted to four-year colleges. The 60 graduates of the Class of 2024 earned over $13 million in scholarships and merit awards.