Kaye Kirsch

Founder, Organizer

Introduction

For over three decades, Kaye has built startups and nonprofits around the globe, serving in project management or operational leadership roles with both new and established companies in the tech, cooperative, and nonprofit sectors.

Kaye is a long-time board member of HealthStore Foundation which has provided basic healthcare to millions in East Africa through an innovative micro-franchise model. She served as Operations Director for Sewa Ashram, a community health care center in India and has served as a board member and chair on ag-focused boards including the ND Organic Advisory Group, and Northern Plains Sustainable Agricultural Society.

In the cooperative industry, she has assembled and led teams working on feasibility assessments, store design, and operational programming planning for startup food co-ops, in addition to managing business turnaround plans at existing cooperatives. Kaye has direct experience as a project manager for a startup co-op throughout their development phase and has also served as an Interim General Manager with two newly opened food co-ops.

  • Nonprofit, cooperative, and tech sector experience

  • Project planning and management expertise 

  • Sewa Ashram was awarded Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice in 2010

Areas of expertise:

Project Planning and Project Management

  • Project design and project management 

  • Nonprofit leadership, development, and administration 

  • Retail operational expertise, including assembling and leading teams of experts on feasibility and turnaround planning, marketing, and retail design 

Contact

Testimonials

I reached out to Darnell when I felt I was floundering in my business; I wanted to move in a new direction and felt stuck. Darnell listened and heard the meaning beneath my words. Her questions helped me reframe my thoughts in a more positive light – moving from ‘what’s holding me back’ to ‘what energizes me’. Darnell’s empathy and expertise pack a powerful punch. I felt heard and supported, and I came out with clarity and renewed energy.

I reached out to Darnell when I felt I was floundering in my business; I wanted to move in a new direction and felt stuck. Darnell listened and heard the meaning beneath my words. Her questions helped me reframe my thoughts in a more positive light – moving from ‘what’s holding me back’ to ‘what energizes me’. Darnell’s empathy and expertise pack a powerful punch. I felt heard and supported, and I came out with clarity and renewed energy.

Beth Saunders

Beth Saunders and Associates

Kaye and Mel are the best evah!

 

Kaye and Mel are the best evah!

 

Darnell Test

Darnell, satisfied client

I can’t recommend working with Darnell Adams enough. Darnell was incredibly integral to the process of starting my own business. She is knowledgeable, patient, encouraging, and has such a calm presence that helped ground me if I got anxious or negative about where I was at in my process. Darnell helped me organize my ideas, look at the big picture and also zoom into the details. I’m about to celebrate the one year mark of working with my very first clients and I wouldn’t be here without Darnell’s guidance. Thank you!

I can’t recommend working with Darnell Adams enough. Darnell was incredibly integral to the process of starting my own business. She is knowledgeable, patient, encouraging, and has such a calm presence that helped ground me if I got anxious or negative about where I was at in my process. Darnell helped me organize my ideas, look at the big picture and also zoom into the details. I’m about to celebrate the one year mark of working with my very first clients and I wouldn’t be here without Darnell’s guidance. Thank you!

Lottie Gurvis

oh my nosh, LLC