ABOUT US
We are a team of change makers boldly reimagining what’s possible for the food and hospitality industry. We are committed to advancing the economic mobility of formerly incarcerated young New Yorkers through training, resources, and holistic care.
PASSION, CULTURE, ACTION, IMPACT.
OUR MISSION
REIMAGINE JUSTICE
Drive Change’s mission is to support justice-involved young people by providing culinary and hospitality training, social support, and pathways to advance their economic mobility and overall well-being.
Our work is grounded in a hard truth: incarceration compounds poverty, and quality employment is one of the few proven strategies for disrupting that cycle.
OUR VISION
REIMAGINE SERVICE
Drive Change envisions a world where young people have access to careers with upward mobility and the skills, community/networks, and confidence to thrive.
We provide an environment that fosters self-determination, where young people who have been directly impacted by the American legal system are empowered to exercise their resourcefulness and become leaders in their communities.
OUR VALUES
We lead with our values and the belief that everyone deserves a chance to thrive.
EDUCATION
We are committed to our growth and education. We commit to learning about the issues and systems (historical and current) that affect the food system and American legal system.
INNOVATION
We continually look for ways to approach our work through innovation and creativity. We bring new ideas, question the status quo, and commit to being part of the solution.
HOSPITALITY
We approach all members of our Drive Change community with care, empathy, and a desire to connect and meet them where they are at.
COURAGE
We are committed to taking action in order to center equity and justice in our work and collective mission.
COLLECTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY
We consistently give and ask for feedback with an open mind. We understand that feedback is a gift and investment in personal and professional growth. We hold ourselves and others accountable to our values.
COMMITTED TEAM
Kalilah Moon
Executive Director/CEO
Kalilah Moon, originally from Oakland, California, is driven by the belief that every person provided the opportunity and experience can reach their full potential and positively impact their families, peers and communities. Along with 19 years of experience in the nonprofit industry, she has an Executive Leadership Certificate from Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College, a Master of Science degree in Nonprofit Management from the New School, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma She was most recently the Director and Assistant Director of Career Services/Train & Earn Program at The Door – A Center for Alternatives and prior to working there she was a Program Director at Brooklyn Workforce Innovations.
Meredith Dean
Chief Operating Officer
Meredith Dean, LCAT, RDT/BCT, ICADC is an experienced executive, creative arts therapist, educator, clinical supervisor, trainer, coach, author, and community-builder who has worked in the nonprofit sector for twenty years. She has worked extensively with incarcerated people and justice-involved youth, substance-dependent adults, survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence, and inpatient psychiatric clients. Meredith is the co-founder of and serves on the Advisory Board of Drama Therapy Review,a lecturer at New York University, graduate student supervisor at Lesley University, and has a private therapy, coaching and consulting practice. As Chief Operating Officer at Drive Change, Meredith brings a people and healing-centered approach to operations and systems, inspired daily by the brilliance and resilience of the young fellows and the care and innovation of the team. Drive Change’s mission unites her passions for hands-on learning, equitable employment pathways, and the power of community-driven initiatives to transform individuals, the workforce, and the very fabric of New York City.
Yanira Camino
Operations & People Manager
Yanira Camino began a career in the hospitality industry right after high school, working in various hotels. Seeking new ways to make an impact, she taught English in Korea and Thailand for a year - an incredibly rewarding experience that ultimately led to a transition into the nonprofit sector. As a Program Manager at Girl Scouts, Yanira oversaw the Highest Awards, celebrating young girls who create sustainable change in their communities, while also managing advocacy programs and scholarship opportunities. Later, as Director of Operations at Roads to Success, Yanira played a key role in launching the Boston Secor Cornerstone Community Center in the Bronx, designed to provide high-quality youth services in partnership with NYCHA. With deep expertise in operations management, Yanira was drawn to Drive Change for its ability to blend a background in hospitality with a passion for nonprofit work.
Kim DiPalo
Chief Development Officer
Kim DiPalo started working at Drive Change after 22 years in the hospitality industry. She worked in both the front and back of house at businesses such as Gramercy Tavern, Union Square Hospitality Group and The Ritz-Carlton. The inequities in the food and hospitality industry were exposed to her throughout her career, and she was committed to using her own power to make changes within her workplaces. Kim believes that mentorship has the power to unlock a person’s full potential and came to Drive Change as the Chief Operating Officer after being a part of the Hospitality for Social Justice program as an employer partner. She attributes her career to many great mentors willing to invest in her growth and learning and believes fellows can also find meaningful careers in food.
Travis Sylvester
Director of Social Enterprise & Initiatives
Travis Sylvester is a Brooklyn native, by way of Jamaica, whose journey began in the heart of the food industry. Raised among the hustle of his father’s restaurants and catering hall, he developed an early understanding of hospitality, service, and entrepreneurship. That foundation evolved into a dynamic career in advertising and marketing. In the wake of the pandemic, Travis made a purposeful shift into the nonprofit and social impact space, bringing his expertise in marketing and partnerships to causes that matter. He led strategic marketing and partnership initiatives that focused on social justice, jail and prison reform, and art-based alternatives to incarceration. Travis’s approach is rooted in collaboration, cultural intelligence, and a belief in the power of storytelling.
Elena Beresneva
Culinary Manager
Elena Beresneva grew up in Siberia but has considered herself a New Yorker for the past 14 years. For nearly the same duration, she has been managing restaurants, kitchens, and co-organizing NYC VegFood Festivals, which draw up to 10,000 attendees. Elena holds a diploma in culinary arts. She recently completed her graduate program in International Affairs at Baruch College with a focus on International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). She is passionate about social justice reform, supporting refugees and asylum seekers, and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
Elizabeth Pontes
Manager of Recruitment & Program Delivery
Elizabeth Pontes was born and raised in Boston, with a strong commitment to education, social justice, and youth development. She earned her B.S. in Social Work with a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies from New York University, followed by an Master of Science degree in Social Work with a concentration in Leadership, Management, and Entrepreneurship for Social Justice. Elizabeth’s passion for the Drive Change mission stems from her experience in youth development and workforce programming. She previously served as a Violence Intervention Program Coordinator and has developed workforce programs for young people in Boston. She also worked as a tutor at Crossroads Juvenile Detention Center, working to create and implement supplement learning plans for students. Motivated by her belief in equal opportunities and systemic change, Elizabeth is dedicated to fostering holistic growth for young people and advancing equity in education, employment, and justice.
Brandi Thomas
Fellowship Associate
Brandi Thomas hails from the Bronx with a deep passion for the Drive Change mission. She earned her BA in English/Creative Writing from Georgia State University and an MA in Food Studies & Nutrition from New York University. With nearly a decade of case management experience at The Bronx District Attorney’s Office and as an Employment Counselor for individuals with special needs and mental health challenges, Brandi finds gratification in preparing young adults for the workforce.
Nigel Moses
Culinary Training & Operations Coordinator
Nigel Moses is a culinary professional with over 20 years of experience working in some of New York City's most prestigious kitchens. He studied at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), and his passion for the culinary arts drives him to constantly innovate—whether it’s developing new tools, systems, or programs to elevate the industry. He is an extrovert at heart and loves connecting with people, both in and out of the kitchen. With Caribbean roots and a strong background in technology, Chef Nigel blends culture, creativity, and innovation to bring fresh energy to everything he does.
Alexandra Henry
Manager of Employer & Strategic Partnerships
Alexandra Henry is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is currently a first year MSW student at Widener University. Alexandra holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminology from Penn State where she learned about the systemic injustices found in the American Legal System. She brings over 5 years of experience in the social service field to Drive Change. Alexandra's most recent position was managing the day to day operations of two Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant programs and oversaw a team of 5 case managers. Alexandra is passionate about providing individualized services to youth who have significant barriers to employment.
Ian Troost
Growth & Relationship Manager
Ian Troost's professional journey has spanned multiple industries, but it was coaching soccer that set him on the path toward education and team building. While running a small business in his hometown of Portsmouth, NH, he often found himself coaching up to three soccer teams at once—a passion that eventually led him to the collegiate level. There, in addition to coaching, Ian worked in the Dean of Students office, where he honed his skills in student support, crisis response, and cultivating strong, collaborative teams. Ian earned his Master’s in Education in Transformative Coaching and Leadership from UCLA. Growing up in a town deeply rooted in the hospitality industry inspired him to bring his expertise to the intersections of hospitality, community, and education in New York City. Today, he specializes in leadership and team development, as well as producing community-based events.
JOIN OUR TEAM
If you are interested in joining a team of change makers and believe that all young people deserve an opportunity to reach their full potential and thrive, we want to meet you.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
George Suttles, Chair
Executive Director, Commonfund Institute at Commonfund
George Suttles is Executive Director at the Commonfund Institute. Prior, he was Program Officer at the John A. Hartford Foundation, a national healthcare philanthropy focused on improving care for older adults. Before the foundation, he was a Senior Philanthropic Relationship Manager in the Philanthropic Solutions division of U.S. Trust, where he served as an adviser for private family foundations, charitable trusts, and nonprofit organizations.
Rose DeStefano, Treasurer
Principal & CEO, The Rose Effect
Rose DeStefano is a collective impact strategist who partners with leaders and organizations to create sustainable futures for structurally impacted communities. With 20+ years of experience in facilitation, community organizing, social entrepreneurship and somatic coaching, she's worked across sectors to build movements, strengthen teams, and bring bold visions to life. Deeply connected to the land through her formative years in California, Rose brings an ecological perspective that honors natural systems and place-based wisdom. Her expertise spans multiple domains, including economic mobility, workforce development, healthcare, housing, education and community development, as seen through her work with Bronx Impact, the Jerome Avenue Revitalization Collaborative, B Lab, and NYC’s Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development. Rose holds an MBA in Sustainable Enterprise (GreenMBA) and a Systemic Leadership certification from Dominican University of California, as well as Diversity and Inclusion certifications from eCornell. She is deepening her practice through Embodied Leadership Coaching at Ma Mukti Foundation. A certified Kundalini Yoga and Meditation instructor, Rose believes integrating mindfulness into transformative community work is essential for healing and long-term change.
Ethan Finkelstein, Secretary
Investments Director, Cambridge Associates
Ethan Finkelstein recently became the Investments Director of Cambridge Associates after earning his MBA from Georgetown University. Prior to completing graduate school, he was the Grant Programs Manager at Comic Relief US where he led the grants management and grantee selection process for a $30-$40 million/year grantmaking portfolio focused on ending the cycle of intergenerational poverty in the US and globally. With a passion for connecting with and empowering under-resourced communities, Ethan has helped direct $150M+ towards programs that have served over 20 million children. Prior to working at Comic Relief, Ethan was the Fundraising and Communications Manager for a children’s education center in Cambodia where he successfully directed the organization’s annual fundraising efforts including securing a grant from the U.S. State Department. Ethan graduated with a B.A. from Tufts University in International Relations & Development Economics where he conducted research in Iraqi Kurdistan and Bangladesh. He has expertise in program evaluation, child & vulnerable adult safeguarding, fundraising, and nonprofit governance and finance.
Michael Hurwitz, Member
Principal & CEO, Landing Lights Strategies
Michael Hurwitz is the CEO/Principal of Landing Lights Strategies—a consultancy specializing in senior-level strategic support for nonprofit and for-profit clients. Previously, he served as the Director of Food Access & Agriculture for GrowNYC—a nonprofit organization committed to improving quality of life across the city’s five boroughs. Serving GrowNYC from 2007 to 2021, he transformed and strategically grew the +30-year-old Greenmarket division into the nation’s largest farmers market-based food access and agriculture initiative. Michael co-led the launch and management of Added Value & Herban Solutions, Inc. Working with an incredible team of young adults, he grew this startup into a 2.75-acre farm in Brooklyn and a multiprogram incubator for new generations of youth leadership. Michael holds a J.D. degree from Benjamin Cardozo School of Law, an M.S.W. degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. degree in history from the University of Michigan.
Elizabeth Meltz, Member
CEO & Principal, EM Path, Cofounder, Women in Hospitality United
Elizabeth Meltz is a lifelong advocate for a safe, sustainable and equitable food system. Most recently, she was the COO of Poppy’s in Brooklyn. Positions prior to that include the VP of Operations for a multi-unit taqueria, Tacombi, COO of Genuine Foods, a mission-driven school food service company and Sr. Director of Environmental Health at Dig Food Group, where she led food safety and environmental health for the 32-restaurant food group as well as helped lead their diversity, inclusion and belonging work. Up until her time at Dig, Elizabeth spent 11 years as the Director of Food Safety and Sustainability at both Eataly and B&BHG. She is also the co-founder of Women in Hospitality United (WIHU), a non-profit committed to creating safe(r) spaces to gather, foster leadership and develop solutions and provide policies that set new standards for equity, accountability, and transparency in the industry.
Muhammad Abdul-Hadi, Member
Founder & Owner, Down North Pizza, Author, We the Pizza
Muhammad Abdul-Hadi is the Founder and Owner of Down North Pizza, the mission-driven restaurant that exclusively hires formerly incarcerated individuals and serves up pies with a purpose in the Strawberry Mansion community in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With a background rooted in entrepreneurship and rehabilitation centers, and first-hand experience of the prison industrial system’s effect on his community, Abdul-Hadi has turned his love for business and community building into a clear mission: reduce recidivism through economic opportunity, excellent food and quality customer service.
Lakimja Mattocks, Member
Chief People & Culture Officer, LEAP
Lakimja Mattocks brings over fifteen years of leadership in the nonprofit sector and currently serves as Chief People & Culture Officer at LEAP. In addition to her primary role, she also partners with senior and emerging leaders as a strategic thought partner and coach, and works with organizations to assess and co-create solutions to organizational design, culture and learning and development challenges through collaborations with Renew and Redesign Consulting and What's Next Now. Prior to joining LEAP, Lakimja co-led Nonprofit New York’s internal racial equity work and how it was operationalized in our programs, specifically with the use of the Key Areas of Nonprofit Excellence. Additional roles in the sector include designing, managing, and facilitating cohort-based leadership programs as the Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships and Learning at Support Center and leading the Programs team as the Senior Program Director at Roads to Success. Lakimja has leaned into and leveraged professional certifications to build on her MPA from Baruch College, MS in Counseling from Long Island University and BA in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Temple University. She is active in her local community, through the New York Urban League and Brooklyn chapter of the NAACP and is a regional leader with her undergraduate alma mater, Temple University. She is also an experienced coach, mentor, and facilitator.
Arti Doshi, Member
Director of Place for the William Julius Wilson Institute at Harlem Children's Zone
Arti Doshi currently serves as the Director of Place for the William Julius Wilson Institute at Harlem Children's Zone where she specializes in place-based strategy. Prior to HCZ, Arti served as an Education Pioneers fellow, Director of School Operations at Achievement First, East New York Middle School. Arti has over 10 years of experience as a program manager across various education institutions and EdTech companies. She earned her bachelor's from UC Berkeley and Masters in Education Policy from Columbia University, Teachers College.
Jason Thompson, Member
Head of Strategy & Planning, FS, KWx
Jason Thompson is a senior business executive and consultant with 25+ years of experience providing advisory services, implementing technology solutions, and developing corporate strategy to help companies achieve goals and innovative outcomes. Jason’s experience also includes serving in consulting/business development roles at JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Quicken Loans (Rocket), Capital One, HSBC, MUFG/Union Bank, and Banco Popular. Jason graduated from University of Pennsylvania with a degree in International Relations/Economics and earned his M.B.A. from Columbia Business School in New York. Jason enjoys working closely with organizations that provide opportunities for returning citizens to further their employment opportunities, housing, and professional development needs.
Natalie Leone, Member
Managing Director, Portfolio Talent, Centerbridge Partners
Natalie Leone, is Managing Director of Portfolio Talent at Centerbridge Partners.
She is responsible for defining talent requirements, assessing, hiring, and retaining and
developing talent for over 20 portfolio companies well over 100,000 portfolio company
employees. In addition, she advises/coaches CEOs and CHROs on matters related to
executive talent and performance. Natalie previously was Managing Director, Global Head of HR Business Partners at BlackRock. Responsible for managing a team of over 70 Business Partners globally,
Natalie is a Human Capital leader with over 25 years of experience across financial
services. She is skilled at leading critical talent decisions, implementing talent
strategies, having sound judgment, and coaching and influencing leadership.
Natalie is widely recognized for her ability to provide critical feedback to leaders, help
them achieve their goals, and support them with the change they want to make. She
does this with heart and heat.
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