Executive Leadership Team

Rebecca, Nest’s Founder and Executive Director, leads a nonprofit committed to advancing gender equity and economic inclusion in the artisan and maker economy. Since founding Nest in 2006 at age 24, she has partnered with major brands like Etsy and Patagonia to support over 250,000 artisans across 120+ countries. Noteworthy achievements include launching Nest Standards for Homes and Small Workshops at the United Nations in 2017, setting standards for improving the rights and wellbeing of millions of home-based workers worldwide. Recognized as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and recipient of prestigious awards such as the Elevate Prize, Rebecca's leadership has garnered international recognition and media attention, reshaping perceptions around handmade goods and empowering communities globally.
Read more about Rebecca.

Chris joined the Nest team in 2011 and is currently the Nest’s CFO/COO where he oversees all finances and operations of the organization including programming for 2,000+ businesses across 120+ countries, focusing on business training, mentorship, and strategic initiatives. Chris helped spearhead the development of Nest’s ethical compliance program and has worked to guide the organization through years of exponential growth and impact. In addition, Chris is an Adjunct Professor at the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at NYU (where he also earned an Executive MBA) and a lecturer and consultant around the country, teaching coursework on Social Impact & Sustainability in Business. In 2023, he released Certifiable: How Businesses Operationalize Responsible Sourcing through the publisher John Wiley & Sons, an exploration of the real-world implementation of supply chain transparency and corporate social responsibility that draws on his experiences at Nest. Outside work, Chris enjoys cooking, traveling to meet with Nest stakeholders around the world, and cherishes his role as a father of two.

Tori, Nest’s interim Chief Partnerships Officer, brings nearly a decade of experience in building inclusive workplaces and fostering vibrant communities. She is the founder of Inclusion Unpacked, a community-driven platform reimagining DEI, where she focuses on making diversity, equity, and inclusion approachable and integral to business success. Throughout her career, Tori has collaborated with corporate leaders to implement best practices in workplace belonging. Before joining Nest, she managed internal culture at Meta and founded the employee resource group Black Women at Facebook, which grew to over 3,000 members during her tenure.

Sara, Nest’s Chief Handcraft Compliance & Research Officer, is driving the development and execution of Nest’s pioneering Ethical Handcraft Standard and associated program, as well as leading research initiatives to bring critical visibiluty and transparency to informal supply chains. After spending nearly 4 years in Varanasi, India, she gained a deeper appreciation for the specific needs and challenges faced by artisans and handworkers, which informs her work in developing sustainable solutions for the industry. Prior, Sara was a Small Enterprise Development Peace Corps Volunteer in Togo, assisting micro-enterprises and artisans. Graduating from the State University of New York at Buffalo in Arts Management and Marketing, Sara blends her passion for art and business. Her career began with Righteous Babe Records, where she worked for 9 years, eventually managing the company’s performance and event venue. A dedicated photographer and traveler, Sara continues to explore the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and social impact in her work and personal pursuits.

Lindsey, Nest’s Chief Handcraft Program Officer, brings over a decade of nonprofit management and organizational capacity building experience to the Nest team, specializing in nonprofit governance, process improvement, financial accountability, and social impact reporting. She previously managed CSR engagement in Russia and contributed to Charity Navigator's leadership, enhancing evaluation methodologies for financial health and nonprofit effectiveness. Lindsey has consulted for Intentional Futures and GLG Social Impact, supporting NGOs and social impact leaders with evaluation frameworks and growth strategies. She holds an M.A. in International Development and a B.A. in Communications from Duquesne University, with certifications in Intercultural Relations and Program Strategy and Evaluation from Duquesne and Stanford University, respectively. Lindsey has served on the boards of TIP Global Health and the Mary J. Heerdt Charitable Trust, and is engaged in NYC Sustained Global Impact Community of Practice and Women Investing for a Sustainable Economy (WISE-NYC).

Tara, Chief Communications + Advocacy Officer at Nest, oversees the promotion and advocacy of Nest's programs and partnerships while integrating the company's core values into its operations. Having spent two decades in the fashion and jewelry industries, she brings a wealth of experience to the role. Tara's expertise lies in leveraging storytelling, PR, marketing tactics, and digital channels to enhance brand recognition and engagement. Her previous position leading the Natural Diamond Council's Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative highlights her commitment to fostering inclusivity. Prior to that, Tara was the Head of Communications at Swarovski, where she played a pivotal role in driving global sustainability and philanthropic initiatives. Her work included establishing partnerships with organizations such as the CFDA and the United Nations, demonstrating her ability to navigate complex collaborations and create meaningful impact. Tara holds an M.S. in Sustainability Management from Columbia University and a B.S. in Textile and Apparel Management from Cornell University.

Jessica, Nest’s Vice President of Corporate Partnerships, leverages 15 years of press, marketing, and partnership experience to cultivate global connections between brands and makers. With a background spanning KCD Worldwide, HL Group, and PROJECT, she's collaborated with leading brands, fostering sales growth and brand visibility. Inspired by transformative journeys to Zimbabwe and India, Jessica founded THR3EFOLD, a platform linking brands to ethical factories, alongside providing sustainability training for the fashion industry over nine years. Committed to empowering makers worldwide, Jessica's insights have graced publications like Forbes, WWD, and Nasdaq. She's a sought-after speaker at international conferences, advocating for a humanized approach to sustainability. A Winthrop University graduate in Business Administration, Jessica now calls Charlotte, NC, home, indulging in hiking, crafting, and exploring diverse cultures globally.

Before taking on the role of Nest’s Vice President of Philanthropy, Kat led high-value revenue generation efforts at the International Rescue Committee, Action Aid UK, and Habitat for Humanity International and other international non-profits. With over 16 years of experience in global fundraising, living and working in London, Washington D.C., and Sydney, Australia, her main focus has been to secure income, manage and inspire teams, and drive strategic development to meet growth targets.
Kat has had the privilege of collaborating with a wide variety of remarkable community organizations; from Indigenous Australians to community representatives in Sierra Leone and female artisans in Tamale, Ghana. Her program work with garment workers at Action Aid and Y Care International deeply shaped her understanding of the emphasis and the need of economic prosperity for artisans and entrepreneurs. She is a passionate advocate for anti-racism, equity, inclusion and justice for all, and specifically climate justice.
In her spare time, she is a co-founder of an art collective for Arab artists and manages an annual art festival in London to showcase their work. Born and raised in London, she now lives in Lisbon, Portugal, where she enjoys exercising in the warm sunshine, swimming in the freezing cold Atlantic sea, and enjoying many Pastéis de Nata! She has a BA Honour in Italian and European Studies from the University of Sussex, in Brighton, UK.