Andrew Glantz

By Constance Gibbs

Andrew Glantz, BSBA ’17, is the founder and CEO of GiftAMeal, a mobile app that provides a meal to someone in need when a user takes a photo at a partner restaurant. What began as a student startup in 2015 has expanded to more than 1,000 restaurants, with over 2.4 million meals provided to families across 44 states. 

Glantz’s servant leadership has been key in the growth of GiftAMeal. He prioritizes the well-being of his team, ensuring everyone feels heard, respected, and valued. His approach fosters a culture of collaboration and shared purpose. “My team sees the positive change they are creating, and they do their best work when they know their efforts make a difference,” he says. 

“You don’t have to be a CEO to be a leader. Anyone can lead by taking initiative and finding ways to provide value. True leadership is about being willing to learn, asking questions, and bringing people together to work toward a common goal.”

Andrew Glantz, founder and CEO of Gift-a-Meal

Glantz developed his leadership style during his time at WashU by serving as community service chair for his social fraternity, captain for intramural sports teams, and co-owner of a nonprofit storefront on the South 40 — all while developing the startup that would become his full-time job. 

“Learning by doing helped me figure out what type of leader I wanted to be,” he says. “WashU provides an exceptional student experience and is supportive of students pursuing their passions outside the classroom. I honed my leadership skills by wearing multiple hats and balancing different roles across many organizations.”

Glantz also learned valuable leadership lessons inside the classroom. He was deeply influenced by the “Defining Moments” course at Olin Business School. Each week, guest speakers discussed their personality, leadership framework, and career trajectory. Students were encouraged to examine how they would prepare themselves for similar experiences. “While some of the leadership styles seemed to conflict with one another, it was eye-opening to learn that people can succeed using different approaches and that there is no single ‘right’ way to lead,” he says. 

Glantz was fortunate to have amazing mentors throughout his college career, many of whom still offer him guidance and encouragement today. He credits Andrew Knight, professor of organizational behavior and senior advisor to the chancellor for leadership, with teaching him about agile decision-making, a concept Glantz often draws upon in the dynamic and ever-changing world of startup management.  

Above all, Glantz is grateful for the support he received from staff at the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The center served as an incubator, helping him hatch his GiftAMeal concept and grow it into a successful business. He received invaluable feedback on his business model and sales pitch that enabled him to secure investors and was connected to resources focused on the legal and financial aspects of running a business. The center even funded one of Glantz’s trips to a pitch competition, which made it possible for him to win vital seed funding.

Today, Glantz maintains deep ties to WashU. Serving as a volunteer leader for the Alumni Board of Governors and the Skandalaris Center National Council allows him to apply his leadership skills while challenging himself in new ways beyond his daily responsibilities. Additionally, he mentors students, and GiftAMeal provides internships to prepare them for careers in entrepreneurship. He hopes to help all students grow in their leadership capabilities, just as he did during his four years on campus. 

“You don’t have to be a CEO to be a leader,” Glantz says. “Anyone can lead by taking initiative and finding ways to provide value. True leadership is about being willing to learn, asking questions, and bringing people together to work toward a common goal.”

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