The restaurant industry is one of the most culturally diverse and economically significant sectors in the U.S. - employing over 10% of the workforce and generating 4% of the national economy. It’s also characterized by uneven access and structural instability. The LEE Initiative was established in 2017 to address these issues - particularly in underserved regions such as the Midwest and Southeastern United States. Our mission is to promote diversity, equity, and sustainability in the restaurant industry by empowering culinary employment, supporting inclusive mentorship and training, and conducting research to address critical industry challenges.

Our Leadership

Chef Edward Lee

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

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.

Our Staff

Staff and Board
Ashley Shadburne
Ashley Shadburne

Communications and Partnership Development

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Jen Watkins, Ph.D.
Jen Watkins, Ph.D.

Programs and Research

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Janey McClain
Janey McClain

Operations

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Our Board

Featured
Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson

President

Ben Johnson is a lifelong youth development professional and community advocate.

Karen Keith
Karen Keith

Vice President

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.

Stacy Molander
Stacy Molander

Treasurer

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.

Melissa Rowe
Melissa Rowe

Board Member

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.

Katy Schmid
Katy Schmid

Board Member

Katy Schmid is the Senior Director of National Programs at The Arc of the United States, which is one the oldest national organizations focused on supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.