Our Team
Richard Armenia
Executive Director
Richard "Rich" Armenia is a compassionate advocate, dedicated to fighting world hunger and serving others. With extensive experience in leading and serving on projects in over ten different countries, he has gained invaluable knowledge and expertise in addressing this global issue.
Growing up in upstate New York, Richard's strong sense of community and passion for making a difference led him to spend five years combating hunger with Rise Against Hunger. He has also contributed to waste reduction and sustainability efforts as a member of the advisory board for the Wipe Out Waste program, and worked directly with the homeless populations through Lighthouse Ministries in Western New York.
In his spare time, Richard enjoys world travel, motorcycles and spending time with family and friends. You can contact him at rich@feedingcharlotte.org.
Mike Carmichael
Program Manager
Mike is a dedicated community advocate, published author, and U.S. veteran whose expertise in leadership development and team building has shaped countless lives. With a degree in Elementary Education, he has spent years applying his training and mentoring skills across diverse fields including retail management, healthcare, and banking, where he successfully guided and developed hundreds of employees.
As the founder and Executive Director of a Charlotte-based nonprofit, Mike has devoted years to serving individuals reentering society after incarceration and those experiencing homelessness. Through transitional housing, mobile outreach, and community food programs, he has worked tirelessly to provide stability, opportunity, and healthy meals to those in need.
Joining Feeding Charlotte represents a natural continuation of Mike’s lifelong commitment to combating food insecurity. It reflects his deep belief in the power of collaboration to strengthen communities and uplift every individual.
Lesha Dodson
Development Manager
Lesha Dodson is passionate about people, community, and the belief that no one should go to bed hungry. With over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she has had the privilege of working alongside dedicated organizations and volunteers committed to making a real difference, and she brings that same spirit of service to her role as Development Manager at Feeding Charlotte.
Throughout her career, Lesha has supported community missions through program development, donor and grant relations, volunteer coordination, and partnership building—always with the goal of connecting resources to the people who need them most.
She is grateful to call Charlotte home and even more grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Feeding Charlotte's vital work in the community.
Outside of work, Lesha loves being outdoors, exploring great food, and catching live music whenever she can.
Brandon Faulkner
Program Coordinator
With over 15 years of experience in non-profit hunger relief, Brandon brings a wealth of expertise and passion to Feeding Charlotte.
A dedicated advocate for underserved populations, Brandon has supported school feeding programs in developing countries, local food banks, and disaster relief efforts. His hands-on approach and commitment to community impact has made a lasting difference throughout the Charlotte region and beyond.
Outside of work, Brandon enjoys traveling, spending time on his farm, and cherishing moments with family and friends.
Samuel Johnston
Marketing Manager
Samuel Johnston, owner of J42 Productions, has been passionate about video since childhood. He's turned that passion into an expertise in filming making, editing, and social media content creation. He specializes in creating impactful content for nonprofits, helping organizations tell meaningful stories, and connecting them with their audiences.
Catharina Zavertnik
Board Chair
Catharina is Brazilian, raised in Roanoke, VA and has now resided in Charlotte since 2018. By day, Catharina works at Deloitte in Human Resources. She came to work with Feeding Charlotte by leading a StepUp Cohort, which is a pro-bono opportunity Deloitte offers to work with non-profits in the community and had the privilege of partnering with Feeding Charlotte.
Catharina graduated from Radford University with a degree in Foreign Languages. At Radford she was active in her sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha and a Division 1, co-ed cheerleader. In her spare time, she loves to workout, spend time with her 2 young children, and travel the world.
Catharina is passionate about helping the underprivileged in her community. Being an immigrant herself, she and her family were blessed to have neighbors help them throughout her childhood and feels deeply thankful for their kindness and is inspired to pay it forward.
Georg Benzinger
Board Member
Georg is an award-winning chef whose impressive array of experience includes luxury hotels, executive dining for FORTUNE 500 companies as well as healthcare. In his current role he is the System Chef for Atrium Healthcare in Charlotte NC, Atrium-Navicent in Macon GA and Floyd in Rome GA. A talented innovator, he loves to create new food concepts and to develop his team.
Georg began his culinary career as Chef Tournant at the Harvard Club in New York City and as Banquet Chef at the city’s famed Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
His professional work also includes Chef Garde Manger of Peacock Alley Restaurant; Executive Chef of Panache Catering; District Executive Chef, TIAA-CREF; and Executive Chef at Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase, all in New York City.
Georg is a graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. He keeps in shape through triathlon sports, skiing, and marathons. He gives back to his community by participating in poverty alleviation through food drives with his local parish and feeding the communities neediest residents at Inter-Faith Council for Social Service and most recently as a board member at Feeding Charlotte.
Traci DeGraphenreid
Board Member
Traci is a Certified Professional Coach and member of the International Coaching Federation, based in Huntersville, NC, where she lives with her husband of 25 years. As a proud mom to a future physician in St. Louis, she balances her passion for helping others with a love of reading, music, and championing food sustainability. With deep roots in the restaurant industry, Traci brings a rare blend of empathy, business acumen, and project management leadership to every endeavor. Her service-driven mindset is matched by her commitment to lifelong learning: she holds a B.A. in Psychology from UNC Greensboro, a Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Training in Educational Technology from NC State, and a Non-Profit Management Certification from Duke University. Traci is deeply committed to giving back—whether through mentoring, skills-sharing, or supporting Feeding Charlotte with her time, talent, and heart. Her work reflects a belief that all great work begins with connecting with others, and that purpose-driven service can change lives.
Karen
Dougherty
Board Member
Originally from the Boston area, Karen escaped the cold after college and made Charlotte her home. Here, she met her husband, Paul, and together they raised two children. She earned her B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and her M.A. in clinical psychology from Appalachian State University. Since retiring from her full-time career, Karen has devoted more time to causes she cares about. She is passionate about tackling climate change and runs Unheating, a website and blog dedicated to the issue. She also volunteers with C-Change Conversations, a national nonprofit building consensus on climate challenges. Her commitment to reducing food insecurity and waste made Feeding Charlotte a natural fit. In addition to serving as a volunteer rescue driver, she writes the organization’s Food & Sustainability Report. Karen enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, walking, and relaxing at the beach.
Lenna
Finch
Board Member
Trina
Fullard
Board Member
Trina graduated from Washington and Jefferson College with a B.A. in Psychology in 1993 and received her master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1995. She is credentialed with the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board as a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist and Certified Clinical Supervisor.
Trina moved to Charlotte in 1997 and worked at the McLeod Addictive Disease Center for 21 years holding several positions, all increasing in responsibility from clinician to vice president of clinical services and information technology. She has been active in community engagements including the Mecklenburg County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Central Piedmont Community College Human Services Advisory Committee, North Carolina Juvenile Services Association Board, and Police Activities League Planning Committee. She served as faculty for the ASAM Fundamentals of Addiction Medicine course until December of 2024 and is a current member of the UNCC CATO College of Education Advisory Board.
In December 2019, Trina joined the staff at Charlotte Rescue Mission (CRM) as a clinical supervisor/counselor at Dove’s Nest. Within a year, she was promoted as the first Chief Program Officer (CPO), responsible for all clinical aspects of care and information technology. During her time as CPO, she streamlined the admissions department, developed and implemented the Recovery Living Program, project-managed the network data and phones in conjunction with the capital campaign to open a new men’s facility. On June 9th, 2024, she was promoted to President/CEO at CRM.
Trina’s responsibility entails oversight of all Charlotte Rescue Mission operations, which include Rebound, Dove’s Nest, Community Matters Café, and Recovery Living programs. Trina immediately focused her efforts on the demolition of the old Rebound facility to create an outdoor greenspace to continue enhancing the curriculum as well as beautification of the First St. campus.
Trina is currently pursuing a doctorate in human services from Capella University with anticipated graduation in May 2027.
Trina and her husband, Kevin, have three adult children and two granddaughters. They are sports enthusiasts and love a good adventure. They love to travel and spend many holidays hosting family and friends.
Seth
Hennes
Board Member
Mark
Logan
Board Member
Mark has worked in restaurants, bars, and events for 20 years, now working as a hospitality consultant to improve the guest experience at local fine-dining spots across the Carolinas. Sustainability and equity are top values.
He is active in justice-oriented work relating to food security and inclusion. He studied acting in New York City and has close ties with the Presbyterian Church, serving as an Elder at Caldwell Presbyterian. He loves to see theatre, rock ‘n roll concerts, eat any and all scrumptious food, and knows no stranger.
John
Moore
Board Member
John moved to Charlotte in 2016. Through marriage, and the birth of two daughters, roots were sown. As his family became more entrenched in the city and connected to its purpose, John needed to find a way to contribute. In walked Feeding Charlotte to his office building, right on cue. John wants to serve the community, learn from others, and grow the mission of Feeding Charlotte to ensure there is no food insecurity in our area. John currently serves on the Development Committee and supports Feeding Charlotte with outreach, event planning, and fundraising. He works in software, focusing on sales strategy, data analysis, and reporting. John holds a B.A from the University of Georgia and is a MBA Candidate at North Carolina State University. In his dwindling free time, John enjoys reading, running, and taking his daughters on outdoor adventures.
Lisa
Rhyne
Board Member
Lisa Rhyne is the Government and Community Relations Manager for Piedmont Natural Gas, where she seeks to strengthen Piedmont’s reputation by building sustainable relationships with community stakeholders. A long-time community affairs strategist and collaborator, she serves on the board of directors of the Lee Institute and Feeding Charlotte and has previously served on the boards of the Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage, the World Affairs Council of Charlotte and the Women United Board – United Way of Charlotte. Rhyne has been with Duke Energy/Piedmont Natural Gas for 36 years and has served in a variety of roles including government affairs, community relations, executive communications, change management and alumni affairs.
Sam
Sanders
Board Member
Sam has grown up in the Charlotte community where he now lives with his wife and three young children. He is a partner at RSM US LLP where he provides tax and advisory services to large and mid-sizzed businesses across multiple industries. Sam has extensive experience helping business, organizations, and investors forecast, plan, and strive towards strategic objectives involving finance, accounting, and tax. Sam currently serves on the finance committee for Feeding Charlotte and supports the organization as it maintains its finances and accounting records. In his free time he enjoys, volunteering in the Charlotte community; the Blue Ridge Mountains; and coaching soccer for this three children.
Christina
Traub
Board Member
Christina has been a part of the Charlotte community for the past 25 years with her husband and two sons. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of New Hampshire and master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. She began her career in management consulting at Ernst & Young in their health care technology practice and shifted to the financial services industry after relocating to Charlotte. Christina recently completed a 22 year career at Bank of America, driving programs and delivering industry leading solutions for big data platforms across the enterprise.
She obtained her Therapeutic Horticulture certification in 2025 and has begun to develop community-based horticulture programs, including a garden ministry at Charlotte Rescue Mission’s Doves Nest site. Introduced to Feeding Charlotte a year ago as a volunteer, Christina was drawn to the breadth of organizations supported across the city. Feeding Charlotte is transformative for its hundreds of volunteers supporting the mission, including Christina’s late 90 year-old mother who regularly accompanied her and enjoyed their shared purpose in the food delivery runs.