Our Team

Renée Martin
Director, Catalyst Kitchens

Renée got her entrepreneurial experience in the (insanely) fast moving digital media sector where she launched and developed several startups. After that she pivoted to be a leadership consultant to nonprofits and social entrepreneurs. As Director, Renée oversees Catalyst Kitchens as a whole. She is responsible for social enterprise sustainability and program impact for both membership and consulting. 
 

“There is nothing more inspiring than helping communities all over the country (and beyond) galvanize around food as a catalyst for change using our proven model to help individuals escape the cycle of poverty.”

 

James Hondros
Impact Analyst

As a 20-year restaurant veteran and the former owner and operator of Eva restaurant, James brings a wealth of experience as a business manager and culinary professional. He's spent time teaching job readiness and financial literacy classes to newly arrived refugees through International Rescue Committee and is interested in learning more about workforce development through social enterprise. In his role as the Member Engagement Coordinator, James will help to develop CK membership content and resources. 
 

Corinne Molz
Communications Coordinator

Corinne brings experience to her role of Communications Coordinator from her background in event planning, international development undergraduate degree, and her passion for the foodservice job training social enterprise model. Her career goals are devoted to lifting others out of the cycle of poverty through economic empowerment through employment/workforce development. She previously served FareStart as a Catering Captain, Catalyst Kitchens as Program Associate, and currently manages all of Catalyst Kitchens communications efforts through email marketing campaigns, website development, written materials, social media, physical promotional materials, and internal communications. 

 

“I have witnessed my teammates work together to empower our students at FareStart and am ready to bring that energy to Catalyst Kitchens. We are a ripple effect that begins with a strong network of like-minded organizations working to uplift their communities. Together we can make a true impact through the power of collaboration.”

 

Member Advisory Council

The Catalyst Kitchens Member Advisory Council (MAC) is comprised of leadership from across Model Member organizations. The MAC serves to provide valuable insight and strategic decision making in an effort to scale network impact and enhace membership value.

See the MAC

Tiffany Gathers
Program Development Manager

Tiffany brings strong firsthand experience within community outreach, student intake and food service business operations at FareStart to her role as Program Development Manager. her academic and professional background in community development also inform her work support the incubation and launch of programs in communities across the country. 
 

"I've seen the benefits of food service offering a second chance at life. To be able to share this knowledge with other likeminded organizations makes me optimistic about the future of our country." 

Emily Olsen-Harbich
Senior Manager, Membership & Resource Development

Emily is interested in challenging traditional community development norms to solve complex social issues at scale. She's worked at the grassroots level as a community extension agent in Peace Corps Cameroon and managed public-private initiatives while working as a managmenet consultant in Washington, DC. Emily's experience helps her build partnerships across sectors, design engaging learning content, and enhance the inspiring work of Catalyst Kitchens members around the country. 

"It’s incredible to see so many diverse organizations joining together in this network to innovate, launch, and build capacity in their own communities. More than a network, Catalyst Kitchens is truly a movement."

 

Justin Smith
Program Development Manager

Justin has worked for years merging food, gardening, and the culinary arts with services for vulnerable populations in both Chicago and Seattle.  In his role as Program Development Manager, Justin draws on a wide range of experience with instruction, curriculum writing, program expansion, youth education, and over a decade of work in restaurants and hospitality.

“I believe in the transformational power of food to create and strengthen communities.  Catalyst Kitchens members provide pathways to a noble career, and empower people to know and choose happiness in their lives every day.”

 

David Carleton
Founder

David has a long history of incubating and launching food-service-based social enterprises including his founding of what would become Catalyst Kitchens in 2006. His work in the field has been so impactful that he was the recipient of a Social Enterprise Alliance Leadership Award in 2009. While David is no longer part of the day-to-day operations, he will remain involved with Catalyst Kitchens.

“The Catalyst Kitchens alliance members are some of the best social enterprises in the field, but, together, we are so much more. We are leading a social movement that is creating real solutions to joblessness, poverty and hunger in our communities.”