Our Leadership
Our People
FareStart leaders are dedicated to transforming our community one life at a time. We believe that everyone deserves a second chance. We trust our students will use that second chance to turn their lives around. Our Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors work hand in hand. They are unrelenting in feeding the hearts, souls, and careers of our staff and volunteers--with new challenges and resources.
Senior Leadership Team
Craig Russell, Interim Chief Executive Officer
Craig Russell has been a member of FareStart’s Board of Directors for over eight years and served as Board President in 2014 and 2015. His demonstrated record of helping drive profitability, sustainability, and successful growth for brands such as Starbucks, Red Robin and Restaurants Unlimited brings valuable restaurant management and business operations experience to FareStart’s leadership team.
Craig has served as Senior General Manager for Restaurants Unlimited, Vice President of Retail Operations for Seattle’s Best Coffee, Senior Regional Operations Director for Red Robin, Vice President of Existing Stores for Starbucks, Senior Vice President of US Store Operations for Starbucks and Executive Vice President of Global Coffee for Starbucks.
Michelle McDaniel, Chief Development Officer
Michelle McDaniel is the Chief Development Officer for FareStart, overseeing fundraising, marketing, communications, community engagement, volunteer services and FareStart's national program Catalyst Kitchens for the organization. Michelle regularly serves on non-profit boards and advisory councils, as well as guest lectures at universities throughout the region.
In 2017, she received the first-ever Innovator Award from City University of Seattle’s Sanford Institute of Philanthropy.
Prior to joining FareStart, Michelle was the Regional Chief Development Officer at the American Red Cross, Western Washington Chapters.
2018 FareStart Board of Directors
President: Ken Hart, Cornerstone Advisors Inc.
Past President: Lisa Clarke, Amplero
Treasurer: Cate Hardy, PCC Community Markets
Secretary: Gregg Johnson, Johnson Consulting Associates, LLC
Directors:
Bill Adamucci, Community Funding Group
Jeffrey Adelson, Boeing
Sue Bevington, Microsoft
Michelle Burns, Starbucks Coffee Company
Paul Davis, Paul Davis & Associates
Gail DeGiulio, Global Partnerships
Rodger Kohn, Tousley Brain Stephens
Tricia McKay Lincoln, LUMA Consulting
Judy Meleliat, Aegis Living
Chris Schenck, Valve
Joanna Smith, Community Volunteer
Julaine Smith, AccountantSmart
Bettina Stix, Amazon
Brian Surratt, Alexandria Real Estate Equities
Nicole Trimble, FSG
Justice Mary I. Yu, Washington State Supreme Court
Ex-Officio Members: Craig Russell, FareStart Interim CEO
Ryan Dean, Chief Financial Officer
Ryan Dean joined FareStart in 2017 as the Chief Financial Officer after spending nearly twelve years as Director of Finance and Administration at the Seattle Aquarium. Prior to the Seattle Aquarium, Ryan held senior finance positions at IBM, Real Networks, Sequent Computers and Boston Market. He holds a Masters in International Management and a bachelor's degree in Finance. Ryan is an avid cyclist and ultimate Frisbee player. He coaches youth ultimate in the Seattle Public Schools in his free time.
Matt Gurney, Vice President, Social Enterprise
Matt Gurney joined FareStart in 2000 as the Youth Barista Program Developer. Now the Vice President of Social Enterprise, Matt leads all FareStart businesses, including FareStart’s School Meals, Community Meals, The FareStart Restaurant (Lunch and Guest Chef Night), FareStart Catering, and two cafés located in the 2100 building and Pacific Tower, respectively. Matt is active in the Social Enterprise community, recently completing Stanford Business School’s Executive Program in Social Entrepreneurship and delivering a presentation on Social Enterprise at Catalyst Kitchen’s Biennial Member’s Summit. When he’s not at FareStart, Matt serves on the board of BikeWorks (a non-profit dedicated to promoting the bicycle as a vehicle for change to empower youth), coaches his son’s youth soccer team, plays ultimate Frisbee and enjoys a strong cup of Seattle coffee.
Molly Hancock, Vice President, Programs
As the Vice President of Programs at FareStart, Molly Hancock is responsible for the adult culinary job training program, the youth barista education and training program, youth culinary and customer service program, student and graduate support services and public funding. Molly was previously a FareStart board member for 9 years including service as board chair, and joined FareStart as a staff member in early 2012. Molly also serves as the Board Chair for Jubilee Women’s Center, a provider of transitional housing and services for women experiencing poverty. Molly is also the Past President of the Seattle chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, an association of professional women in foodservice and the culinary arts, and serves on the Downtown Seattle Metropolitan Improvement District Advisory Board. Prior to joining FareStart staff Molly was Director of Strategy at Starbucks Coffee Company and was the Chief Operating Officer for Larry’s Markets and for Consolidated Restaurants.