Our organization is led by our community members from the ground up, using a community-centered philosophy that is tied to the principles of kaizen. Kaizen emphasizes continual improvement by all members of the organization, and we innovate on this by including community, knowledge, and skills in our approach. In our model, impacted community members and leaders are the driving force behind our work.

Our board, volunteer team, and site managers at Kaizen Food Rescue are recruited from the same community we serve - those who faced food insecurity, its multiplying effects and interested in changing the food system. These community members engage in joint decision-making, planning, and the implementation of projects and programs to advance a collective vision that transcends organizational boundaries.

If you have time, we encourage you to join us as a volunteer and be a part of our efforts to create positive change in the community!

Visionaries of Kaizen Food Rescue

Founded by Thai Nguyen and Shawn Traylor, Kaizen Food Rescue emerged from their shared dedication to combat food waste and nutrition insecurity. Shawn's early personal funding propelled the organization's growth, and Thai’s development efforts during the pandemic secured Kaizen's inaugural grant, a turning point in their mission to salvage surplus food and create enduring community change.

Board Directors

  • Daniel Stange, Director - Peer Specialist, Fort Logan Mental Health Institute

    Board recruitment is an ongoing process vital to the continued success of Kaizen Food Rescue. We are actively seeking individuals with diverse skills and a deep commitment to addressing food insecurity. If you have experience in board governance, food access work, and lived experience with nutrition insecurity, we strongly encourage you to apply. Your unique perspectives will enrich our organization and guide our mission.

Community Advisors

  • Aleah Traylor - Youth Community Member

  • Em Nguyen - Senior Community Member

  • Lt. Col. Vinnie Nguyen - International Business and Strategy Director, Sierra Nevada

  • Nhan Nguyen - Senior and Veteran Community Member

  • Thanis Rincon - Business and Finance Manager

Community Navigators + Site Leads

  • Airille Ogawa, Mercy Housing Community Manager and Site Lead

  • DeLori Norman, Senior Care Taker and Southwest Denver Site Lead

  • Sol Martinez, Jefferson County Site Lead and Community Navigator

Volunteers

  • Kaizen consistently has over 150 volunteers contributing their time every week.