Our Leadership
Carey Goldstein
Executive Director
Carey Goldstein is the co-founder of the Impact100 Louisville, a nonprofit that has raised and distributed over $2 million to local organizations since its inception in 2019. In just five years, Impact100 Louisville has engaged 882 women in philanthropy, with the first grant awarded in November 2020. She currently serves on the Impact100 Board as Co-Founder and is the Board Chair of Decode Project, a local nonprofit dedicated to literacy.
Before her work with Impact100 and Decode Project, Carey spent 15 years as a school counselor in Louisville, Kentucky. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from American University in Washington, D.C., and a Master’s Degree in Education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
She joined The LEE Initiative as Executive Director in 2025, bringing with her two decades of experience in leadership and education, and a lifelong commitment to community impact and outreach.
Chef Edward Lee
Co-founder and Chief Impact Officer
Edward Lee is the author of Bourbonland, Smoke & Pickles, and Buttermilk Graffiti; Chef/Owner of 610 Magnolia in Louisville, KY; Culinary Director of Succotash in National Harbor, Maryland, and Penn Quarter, DC; and Chief Culinary Officer of SHIA in Washington, DC’s Union Market District.
In 2017, Chef Lee and co-founder Lindsey Ofcacek launched The LEE Initiative, an organization dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and sustainability in the restaurant industry. In recognition of this work, Chef Lee received the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award in 2021, and in 2024, he and Ofcacek were honored with the James Beard Foundation Humanitarian Award for The LEE Initiative’s ongoing impact.
For more on Chef and his projects visit ChefEdwardLee.com
Our Staff
Ashley Shadburne
Communications and Partnership Development
Jen Watkins, Ph.D
Programs and Research
Janey McClain
Operations
Our Board
Ben Johnson
PresidentBen Johnson is a lifelong youth development professional and community advocate.
Karen Keith
Attorney Karen Keith’s life-long love of food, travel and fine dining has led to her never-ending support of independent restaurants and farms.
Vice President
Stacy Molander is “Trust for America’s Health” Chief Operating Officer. In this role, she works in partnership with TFAH’s President and CEO to shape and implement the organization’s strategic direction and organizational priorities and helps build and execute strategic partnerships to promote public health and equity.
TreasurerStacy Molander
Julie Burns serves as the Executive Director for Monogram at GE Appliances. In this role, she leads brand strategy, marketing, and innovation for the company’s luxury appliance brand—guiding teams across the Monogram Design Center, Experience Center, Install Center and designer engagement programs.
Board MemberJulie Burns
A native of eastern Kentucky, Melissa Rowe’s roots run deep in the food and family traditions of Appalachia. She is passionate about bringing economic and health equity to all people regardless of their geographic location, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic status.
Board MemberMelissa Rowe
Carrie Rankin is Vice President of OEM Solutions at Assurant, leading strategic client partnerships and channel growth. Since joining the company in 2008, she has held leadership roles across product development, client management, sales operations, and business strategy.
Board Member