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Kier pictured at a Food Finders event with the 

Fresh Market displayed behind her. 

Kier Crites Muller

PC '99

CEO of Food Finders Food Bank

Major: Hospitality and Tourism Management

Favorite Shoe Memory:

As one of the youngest members in her pledge class, Kier appreciated the strong support system the upperclassman provided. She loved the late night conversations, hanging out, and other bonding experiences with her sisters.

 

She has enjoyed keeping the connections with her shoe sisters from being in their weddings, to vacations, and more. 

A Bit About Kier

Kier Crites Muller is a successful Shoe alumna, and graduate of Purdue University's Hospitality and Tourism program. She rushed the cooperative system her senior year of high school, and was a member of Shoemaker's 1999 Pledge Class. At Shoemaker, she excelled and held the position of philanthropy chair. Holding this position ultimately strengthened her desire to give back and help others, as well as encourage her closest friends to get involved with her passion.  

Kier was recently named the CEO of Food Finders Food Bank, a non-profit that works with other organizations to provide food for people in need across North Central Indiana. Food Finders is headquartered in West Lafayette and serves the surrounding 16 counties. More than 76,000 individuals in their service area struggle with hunger. One of her proudest achievements has been facilitating the creation of the Fresh Market at the Lafayette location during Covid. The Fresh Market allows individuals to have choice in what they eat, as well as provide healthy, fulfilling produce, and wrap-around services to keep people from falling further into poverty.. She aspires to broaden this initiative across other areas, as well as, building a healthier, and wider selection of food options for Food Finder Neighbors. In 2017, she was also presented with the Duke Energy Difference Maker award for her community betterment through her dedication and overall impact. She was presented this award by her friend and fellow co-op alum, Dan Rhodes, Circle Pines '98.

Kier reflects on how Shoemaker was one of the key influences in preparing her for her future success. She states, "the type of women that Shoe attracts to its sisterhood; are smart, funny, creative, fun-loving, hard-working, adaptive and like to do buck the system a little by doing things on their own terms while still getting the job done". "This translates well into the work world because you need to be all of those things and have the ability to look at things differently, or in the nonprofit world, on a shoestring budget."  Her advice for current college students would be to branch out, take advantage of every experience, and network as much as you can. She wouldn't change her experience in Shoemaker, and reminisces on the wonderful opportunities it has brought her over the years.

Picture Descriptions:

1.) A Few Team Members at Food Finders' Annual Hunger Hike!

2.) One of Kier's 2021 Wedding Pictures. Pictured is her Husband, Step-Son Sawyer (8), and 3 Crazy Dogs. Specifically, her corgi "Moose" participates in the annual corgi race at Purdue University!

3.) Kate, Kier, Carrie, Amanda pc'99, the "Golden Girls" 

4.) Dan presenting the Make a Difference award at a Basketball Game.

5.) Amanda's wedding, can't remember the year but a bunch of us were together 

6.) The whole house 1999-2000! 

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