Meet Kestrel
Meet our Production + Development Manager, Kestrel! She joined the Ground Up team in October 2019 and we are so grateful for her joy + positivity.
What has your experience with Ground Up been like?
After working for companies that didn't show appreciation for their employees, it's so refreshing to be a part of a place that really truly cares about everyone's wellbeing and sees you more than just a workhorse. Ground Up's mission of 'lifting womxn up' is so apparent in our whole company culture - we're always learning how to do better. Julie & Caro are the most incredible women and it's a trickle-down effect! Their compassion and strength rubs off on all of us at Ground Up. Our work environment is supportive, silly, goal-oriented, and I am always thankful to be part of such an amazing team!
What is your role at Ground Up?
My role is to manage Ground Up's employment training program, which includes planning and running production, and mentoring each of the women on our team. I also help with sourcing and ordering, overseeing relationships with our non-profit partners, some wholesale, and sometimes even graphic design projects!
What is it like to work with the GU employment training program team?
It's been amazing! Never have I worked with such a resilient and driven team - the womxn we employ come from many different backgrounds and pasts, yet always find a way to see the positive and push themselves in a forward trajectory. Because of the nature of our training program, our team is ever-changing. To be able to learn about so many womxn's experiences with adversity and how to best support them on their journey has been humbling and eye-opening.
What does it mean to you, to be around + see this Ground Up community grow?
The way our society works is that you have to make money in order to afford basic needs, and to make money you need some form of job. However, it's not as easy as that simple sentence - there are so many systemic barriers that are blocking people from even being considered for employment, housing, healthcare, etc. Ground Up's employment program serves as a transition for many womxn that are incredibly capable and ready to put in the work. Each womxn gets a different experience out of their time at Ground Up based on their own unique needs and path. Seeing womxn come together, work together, and grow together to push against the 'societal norm' is an incredible thing - I'm grateful to be the one who gets to see it first hand!
What do you like to do for fun?
I love to get out of the city and look at ( and pick :) ) flowers! I also enjoy drawing, night walks, finding rocks and seashells, and learning as many new things as I can.
What is your favorite Ground Up nut butter flavor + favorite way to enjoy it?
My favorite is the Walnut Cashew with Black Pepper Sea Salt - it tastes amazing in salad dressings and in savory dishes. I also love our most recent Spicy Tahini with Diaspora Chilis - it's SO good in curries!
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