Rich Kostro

Rich Kostro, Chief Information Officer at Share Our Strength, is a technology and data strategy expert with almost 20 years of experience in leading change in large organizations.

Prior to joining Share Our Strength, Rich served as a Director under the Chief Information Security Officer at Capital One, where he led multiple efforts in implementing strategic initiatives, improving budget management, and building talent pipelines. Rich also spent nearly 15 years as a strategic consultant, working with both large and small consulting firms, and built an independent consulting practice that provided services to Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) at the FBI, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Smithsonian Institutes, as well as a number of private sector firms. Rich also spent two years as a political appointee in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and continues to serve as an Army Reserve Officer, with two combat deployments and a successful record of commanding Soldiers in both State-side and overseas environments. He earned his BA from Georgetown University and his MBA from Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business.

Rich has a wife, Stephanie, two daughters, Catherine and Sarah, and considers himself an avid (although lately couch-bound) adventurer. Of his many whimsical adventures, Rich is most proud of having thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail (from Georgia to Maine) and climbed Mt. Kilamanjaro.

What’s your “why?” I'm drawn to the concept that we all have a strength to share. You don't need to be a chef, nutritionist, or school food director to be able to meaningfully contribute to the cause. I can use my background as a business strategist and technology leader to help feed kids. 

My idea of fun is: Being outdoors and finding the places that are not easily reached, including thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine, climbing Kilimanjaro, and completing the Inca trail in Peru; passing along a love of the outdoors to my kids.