Our Team
Linda Trinh - Marketing and Communication Director - Austin, TX
Todd Gow - Music Program Director - Dallas, TX
Todd has been involved in technical sales for over 20 years, helping customers solve complex technical problems. He is looking forward to wearing many hats and researching new ways for the non-profit to be successful. For now, he is drinking a lot of coffee and is looking forward to helping out this great cause.
Deborah Fessenden - Advocacy and Education Program - Denton, TX
Deborah Fessenden, M.A. is a teaching fellow and graduate student of sociology at the University of North Texas. Her research agenda examines issues of migration and organizational studies with a focus on refugees. She is also an intern at Catholic Charities in Dallas where she helps migrants apply for citizenship. She is an activist for the refugee and migrant community and strives to educate the public about immigrant and refugees lives.
Keely Jemeyson - Newsletter Intern - Denton, TX
Keely Jemeyson is current student at UNT majoring in sociology. She has realized her calling towards teaching others, as well as studying languages and culture, and hope to be a great English instructor and a translator. She wants to use these skills to help people. She sees the connection with BeKinder Coffee and its mission. Keely is eager to see what BeKinder Coffee can do for others.
Sadiya Patel- Social Media Strategist - Dallas, TX
Sadiya is a recent graduate from Southern Methodist University, with a B.A. in Human Rights, a B.A. in International Studies with a focus on Asia and a minor in History. With a passion for service and justice, she works to understand how grassroots movements develop communities and a more just world. Through community and campus leadership, she has worked on issues ranging from food insecurity, education for marginalized communities and immigration reform. As Vice President of Leadership of Phi Theta Kappa, she helped run a community garden and raise funds for sustainable campus renovations. As a Dallas Peace and Justice Center Youth Advocate, she worked to involve youth in human rights movements and intersectional relationship building. On Capitol Hill, Sadiya worked with Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) on congressional lobbying for immigration reform impacting her community. As a SMU Human Rights Fellow, she drafted a sexual assault curriculum for faith-based institutions in Dallas-Fort Worth. As a McNair Scholar, she began a research project seeking to understand India’s violence against women laws and their enforcement in rural areas. As a Gilman International Scholar, she studied sustainable development and social change in India, researching grassroots organizing concerning gender justice and sustainable innovations. Sadiya enjoys studying the amalgamation of food, human rights, pop culture and history in Asia. She remains convinced of the power of grassroots organizing to shape a sustainable global future and plans to use her experience and service to uplift her homes, may it be Dallas, India or the world.
Audrey Gow - Advisor - Dallas, TX
Audrey Gow is currently a student at the University of Texas at Austin, double majoring in Public Health and Women and Gender Studies. She is passionate about healthcare accessibility, equity, enjoys helping out, offering advice or proofreading skills whenever needed. She is excited for what the future holds for BeKinder Coffee. During her free time, she loves to bake and hang out with friends.
Melissa Ax - Advisor - Dallas, TX
Melissa brings an eclectic background of experience to BeKinder Coffee. She has 11+ years experience in telecom, customer service, insurance and numerous volunteer positions in the Richardson and Frisco School Districts. Knowing Jane and her story, there’s no greater joy than being involved in helping refugees through the BeKinder Coffee group.
Ha Smith - Photographer - Carrollton, TX
Picture and Bio - coming soon
Community Engagement Outreach Program
TBD
Jane Gow - Founder and Executive Director- Dallas, TX
Jane Gow (aka Hương) brings to BeKinder Coffee Project an extensive and varied background. She has been in IT for over 30 years as a Project Manager and Customer Success Manager. The Be Kinder Coffee Project believes that kindness is more than a quality – it is a calling. Through delicious coffee, sustainable practices, and a commitment to helping others, we believe everyone can make a lasting difference in the world simply by choosing to be kind. Kindness is the first step to dismantling systems of oppression.
Currently, she is sitting on the Board of the Refugees Services of Texas in Dallas as an Advisory Council.