Our Team

president

Carlos Martinez

Carlos Martinez (he/him) assumed the role of President at People First Economy in January 2024. With diverse experiences spanning economic development, higher education, community engagement, and global partnerships, Carlos brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Prior to joining our team, he held positions as the Director of Development at the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and as the Manager for Global Career Development at New York University. 

Carlos is a firm believer in the power of creating an inclusive, circular, and regenerative economy deeply rooted in community care. This starts by supporting the People First team as we empower local entrepreneurs to transform their businesses into Forces for Good while nurturing sustainable practices that drive their growth. He is thrilled to collaborate with current and future partners to make the state of Michigan a national leader in this work. 

In addition to this background, Carlos is also a local business owner. This unique perspective allows him to approach the work of supporting entrepreneurs with practical, real-life insights. Proudly graduating from Grand Rapids Public Schools (go Central Rams!), Carlos also holds a Master’s degree from Grand Valley State University and a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. Beyond his work commitments, he enjoys quality time with his wife, Hilda, and their daughter, Ysannia. 

Engagement director

Kathleen Roark

Kathleen (she/her) joined the People First Economy team in 2017 to champion the development of a human-scale economy and our member businesses in the Local First program. Today Kathleen supports PFE with direction, leadership, and implementation of programs across the organization. Her small-town upbringing instilled the value of a place-based economy grounded in relationships. She works to build relationships with the business community and to provide value and benefit through businesses’ involvement in programs.  Connect with Kathleen to learn more about our programs and PFE’s signature initiatives.

When not at the office, Kathleen:

  • Sits on the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) Board of Directors
  • Champions the ‘Choose Local First’ message on AMIBA’s Steering Committee
  • Is a frequent flier at Field & Fire (purchasing sourdough starter), Schuler Books and Baker Book House (getting her read on), and Southeast Market, as well as, Fulton Street Farmers Market (where she shops for local ingredients).

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Alice Jasper

Alice Jasper (she/they) is a Multiracial-Black sustainability professional and outdoor enthusiast. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Alice relocated to Michigan where she attended college in the Upper Peninsula before putting down roots in Grand Rapids. Today, Alice serves as Program Director for Good For Michigan; a state-wide economic development initiative that centers social and environmental sustainability and convenes Michigan’s B Corp Certified business community.

When not at the office, Alice:

  • is the creator and host of “Color Out Here” a media project created in collaboration with WGVU and PBS intended to explore the opportunities and barriers to inclusion faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship.
  • a board member of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks
  • a goal 4 Alliance Council Member for Downtown Grand Rapids Inc
  • a pinball witch in training
  • hikes with her dog, Penny Apple

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Victoria Munro

Originally hailing from Eastern Michigan, Victoria (she/her) fell in love with the sense of community and local business scene offered in West Michigan. After she made the move to Grand Rapids in 2018, she found a home away from home at a small business, which instilled place-based values and began her path towards advocacy for equitable, people-first economies. After interning for the Local First program, Victoria officially joined the People First Economy team in 2021. She graduated from Grand Valley State University in April 2022 with a double major in Marketing and Management and a minor in Spanish. Victoria is eager to continue learning and growing in this space, all the while celebrating this vibrant community and its organizations.

While not in the office you can catch Victoria at Field & Fire Cafe (where she is determined to sample the whole menu), curled up on her porch with a good book, exploring trails, cities, and countries, and shopping throughout the Uptown neighborhood.

impact manager

Arick Davis

Arick Davis (they/them) is a local entrepreneur and business owner who joined the PFE team in 2023 to help support Michigan’s growing community of businesses seeking to be more sustainable and transparent. He is a graduate of Michigan Technological University and has served on numerous local nonprofit boards throughout his career. 

When not at the office, you can find him enjoying a cup of coffee at Last Mile Cafe, a people-focused coffee company he started in 2021. He also enjoys running, boxing, yoga, and spending time with his family. 

Experience Manager

Halla Maas

Halla Maas (she/her) has been with the organization since 2023. As a Michigan native, her decisions to support local businesses is mirrored in how she interacts with the community by shopping local, attending art markets & food markets, establishing connections with her fellow neighbors in the Burton Heights area, & supporting other local non-profit organizations in the greater Michigan area. She tends to enjoy her time by immersing herself into the local parks and cultures that each neighborhood brings. She values creating connections and taking the opportunity to hear people’s stories. 

When she’s not at the office, this Barbie is enjoying long hikes all over Michigan, spending time in her indoor and outdoor garden, paging through a good book on her porch, practicing yoga and meditation, and lounging with her kitty.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Katherine Jandernoa

Katherine (she/her) comes to West Michigan from the East Coast and brings over a decade of experience in local food systems and sustainability. Prior to joining Local First, Katherine was the co-founder, program director of Food Connects in Vermont, a nonprofit that works to increase access to healthy, local foods within Vermont’s schools. Jandernoa earned her master’s of arts in sustainable development from the SIT Graduate Institute and her bachelor of arts in international affairs from The George Washington University. Having lived in large urban centers, (Boston, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.), and small rural communities in Massachusetts and Vermont, Katherine loves all that West Michigan has to offer and is thrilled to call Grand Rapids home.

When not at the office, you might find Katherine at the Fulton Street Farmers Market, one of our many local restaurants, or exploring Blandford Nature Center and Wilcox Park with her sons.

MARKETING DIRECTOR

Mieke Stoub

Mieke (Mee-ka, she/her) is a storyteller, community builder, and daughter to self-employed parents. She has a background in nonprofit marketing and visual communications. In 2014, she started volunteering with the Local First program and fell in love with the mission, the people, and the work culture. Two years later, when the opportunity to tell the People First story full-time arose, she had to take it. Mieke is inspired by the ways Michigan businesses collaborate and loves to brag about the rad things they’re up to. She also loves hiking, backpacking, cooking, mountain biking, moto riding, laughing, dancing, and almost anything if it’s outdoors. If you’re unsure of how to say her name, she also answers to Meeks, Red Dawn, Biker Babe, and Dutch Strong Arm. Give her a trail recommendation or a new recipe next time you see her!

When not at the office, you might find Mieke at: The Cheese Lady, Fulton Street Farmers Market, Rebel, Rock Paper Scissors, in the woods, or on the road.