Meet the Be Kinder Coffee Team
Linda Trinh - Marketing and Communication Director/Board Officer - Pittsboro, NC
Linda's professional background spans over two decades and includes a diverse compilation of industry verticals, companies and roles. She has traversed the worlds of print publishing, advertising and online marketing and, most recently, was the Vice President of Marketing and Promotions for a casino gaming technology company, Everi (formerly Multimedia Games).Prior to joining Multimedia Games, Linda worked at Bulldog Solutions and Texas Architect magazine, where she managed lead generation marketing plans for IBM, Nestlé Foods and Business Week, and handled advertising, sales and publishing, respectively. Linda is passionate about Bekinder Coffee nonprofit.
Todd Gow - Roaster/Board Officer - Dallas, TX
With over two decades of experience in technical software sales, Todd aids customers in resolving intricate technical issues. He oversees the coffee roasting process and contributes to the non-profit's day-to-day operations.
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.
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 - Chicago, IL
Audrey currently works in Chicago supporting people accessing reproductive healthcare. They are passionate about healthcare accessibility, equity, enjoys helping out, offering advice or proofreading skills whenever needed. They are excited for what the future holds for BeKinder Coffee. During their free time, they love to bake and hang out with friends.
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.
She sat on the Board of the Refugees Services of Texas in Dallas as an Advisory Council but is currently on the Welcoming Immigrant Task Force for the City of Dallas.