Organization: FareStart, Seattle, WA
Title: Barista & Customer Service Manager
Nominated by: Patrick D’Amelio, CEO & Rekha Bhatt, Senior VP of Programs
Chermell has served students for over 13 years at FareStart, having held among her titles, Server, Prep Cook, Prep Lead, Youth & Young Adult Trainer, Youth Programs Virtual Training Supervisor, Barista & Customer Service Training Supervisor, and is now the Barista & Customer Service Programs Manager. Her dedication, leadership, and versatility across youth, culinary, and customer-service programs demonstrate her deep commitment to supporting participant success and advancing FareStart’s mission.
Chermell often shares that she is working in her “dream job” because, as she says, “representation matters.” She wants students to see themselves reflected in the people who guide and train them. She creates an environment where people feel supported, respected, and encouraged to grow — an environment grounded in her often-repeated personal mantra of offering “space and grace.” It’s her way of reminding students that mistakes are part of learning and that accountability and compassion can coexist.
As part of senior leadership at FareStart, we see how Chermell’s leadership helps young people transform, not only into skilled baristas but into confident, capable adults. Her professionalism, generosity of spirit, and unwavering belief in those she serves make her an invaluable member of the FareStart team and a daily source of inspiration for all of us.
Chermell’s motto is all about “space and grace.” As she says, FareStart “is a place where you are allowed space and grace. We’re open to mistakes. We want you to make mistakes, so you can see that it’s not a big deal.” She has created a program where students feel safe, respected, and cared for, while also making it clear that accountability matters. “I can’t want this more than you want this… You’ve still got to show up,” she tells her students with a mix of warmth and firmness that motivates them to rise to the occasion. Chermell’s professionalism and genuine care help students transform — not just as baristas, but as confident young adults. One student said, “Every day was such a magical experience — I always felt so loved and appreciated and seen.”
A typical day for Chermell as Manager of FareStart’s Barista and Customer Service Program starts bright and early. She arrives ready to go — organized, focused, and always with a smile. Before the day even begins, she’s checking emails, wrapping up admin work, and making sure her team has what they need. She greets everyone she passes with a cheerful “good morning,” setting a positive tone for the day, often wearing her signature pink or yellow hoodies that bring brightness to even the gloomiest Seattle days. Chermell oversees training across several sites, including the new front-of-house training space in the FareStart Restaurant, the off-site barista training classroom, and a busy café in one of Amazon’s office buildings. She also supports the online Customer Service training program — one she helped create and still holds close to her heart. Once a month, she leads student graduation, filling the room with warmth and pride as she reminds every graduate that their FareStart family will always be in their corner.
Chermell has trained 100s of barista students over the years. Since leading the re-launch of FareStart’s Barista and Customer Service Program, Chermell has breathed new life into one of our most beloved offerings. Though the program is still in its pilot phase, early results are promising — enrollment has grown by 117%, graduations by 50%, and job placements within 90 days by 144%. 99% of students surveyed said the program is “helping them reach their ability to reach their goals.” Even with this momentum, Chermell remains focused on continuous improvement. She is thoughtfully refining systems, standard operating procedures, curriculum, and assessments to strengthen program quality and long-term impact.
These outcomes speak to the power of her leadership, but what truly stands out is her commitment to strengthening the program even further. Her dedication is building not just a successful training program — it is building a pathway for young people to step into their futures with confidence, skill, and a genuine sense of possibility.
What distinguishes Chermell is not only her mastery of these responsibilities but the spirit she brings to them. She spreads joy wherever she goes, greeting colleagues and students with genuine warmth that elevates the atmosphere around her. Her presence reinforces a sense of belonging and optimism — qualities that matter deeply in a learning environment built on trust, growth, and opportunity.
SPECIAL ALERT!
Thanks to a generous donation from a founding Catalyst Kitchens board member and friend of David Carleton, the Catalyst Kitchen’s Founder’s Fund has an opportunity to raise matching funds up to $5,000 during this year’s Catalyst for Change Award Season!
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Here are the 2025 Catalyst for Change. As you read their stories, consider supporting the work of Catalyst Kitchens and our members, enabling the amazing impact of frontline staff like our nominees.
