SFMade Staff »
Kate Sofis
Executive Director
Kate Sofis’ experience integrates a rich background in entrepreneurship, business management, operations and supply chain strategy, and urban economic development with a specialty in artisan/craft manufacturing industries. Throughout her career, she has worked with companies who design, manufacture, and distribute products in a wide range of industries, including ceramics, tile and stone, cement, wood and metal furniture, fabric and sewn products, and glass products. Kate has worked in numerous capacities across the manufacturing sector. She was COO of VIDA, a local artisan manufacturer of wood-based commercial casegoods, and is the founder of CRAFTMAKE, a small supply chain management company for ceramic tile manufacturers. Kate began her manufacturing career in computer manufacturing, as a production manager at Teradyne, and later playing a lead role in Ernst and Young’s West Coast supply chain practice. Kate’s background in economic development includes serving as Statewide Director of Business Advising at San Francisco-based Pacific Community Ventures. Internationally, Kate created a small business development strategy for the industrial East End of London, UK, and led a World Bank-funded project to create Algeria’s first high technology business park and small business incubator. Kate volunteers as Project Director for the establishment of the San Francisco “Production, Artisanal, and Creative Enterprises” Community Benefit District (PACE-SF), a business improvement district centered in the light industrial/mixed-use neighborhoods of the City. She also serves on the Board of Directors of City Carshare and as a member of the Eastern Neighborhoods Citizens Advisory Committee. Kate holds an M.S. in City Design and Social Policy from the London School of Economics, and an A.B. in Economics from Harvard University.
Contact Kate:
kate@sfmade.org
415-408-5605 x 1
Janet Lees
Director of Programs and Communications
Janet Lees is a native of Manchester England, where the industrial revolution was born. Janet moved to the Bay Area after studying politics, history and literature at the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England. Shortly after, she met her husband, furniture designer, Jason Lees, and has been in love with artist manufacturers ever since! Janet has over 16 years experience in small business and economic development. As Program Director at Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, a position she held for over 10 years, Janet she was responsible for the oversight of all technical assistance programs including, Training, Incubation, and Access to Capital. Janet has a special interest and a deep commitment to the artisan manufacturing sector, evidenced by her leadership and vision in successfully launching and growing the Fashion/Apparel Cluster program at Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, the first program of its kind to provide expert advice, training and resources for local apparel designers. Janet has provided marketing and public relations assistance to her husband’s modern furniture company, Jason Lees Design, for the past 7 years, and through this, and providing direct assistance to many similar types of businesses, has first hand experience and vast knowledge in sustaining and growing artisan manufacturing businesses. Janet was a founding member of the San Francisco Economic Development Alliance, a former steering committee member for the San Francisco Small Business Development Center, and nominated in 2009 for the Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Advocate of the Year Award.
Contact Janet:
Janet@sfmade.org
415-408-5605 x 2
Ferron Salniker
Community Engagement Coordinator
Ferron is coordinating SFMade’s social media, web, and marketing platforms, while helping to engage the San Francisco community in SFMade’s events and fundraising campaigns. Ferron has worked as a marketing and development consultant for local organizations including SF Works and the Booker T Washington Community Service Center. Ferron worked for two years as a Program and Development Coordinator at AnewAmerica Community Corporation in Berkeley, where she coordinated several technical service programs for over 200 immigrant entrepreneurs, including AnewAmerica’s first e-commerce training program. Under her development role, she coordinated the organization’s annual gala. Ferron holds a BA in Journalism and Spanish from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Contact Ferron:
Ferron@sfmade.org
415-408-5605 x 3
Alicia Rouault
Research Fellow
Alicia has worked professionally in Community Development and Urban Planning in the New York City metropolitan area. Having worked with both public and non-profit technical assistance providers, this past year Alicia coordinated waterfront programs for the City of Newark’s Division of Planning and Economic Development. In 2009, she managed an innovative micro-grant program to initiate community-led public space projects with non-profit Citizens Committee for New York City. As a researcher, she has worked with the Pratt Center for Community Development, and most recently was Assistant Editor of Urban Omnibus, an online project of the Architectural League of New York. Alicia holds a dual B.A. in Political Science and Ethics, Society and Law from University of Toronto, and is currently a Masters candidate in City and Regional Planning.
alicia@sfmade.org
415-408-5605 x 4
Noah Snyder
Places to Make Program Manager
Noah Snyder manages SFMade’s Places to Make industrial real estate program, helping established and new local manufacturers find and lease industrial space in San Francisco. A licensed real estate agent (LIC #0189776) Noah is a 4th generation member of an industrial property management, leasing, and development family with deep roots and experience in real estate management in the Bay Area. Noah lives and works in San Francisco and understands both the challenges and exciting opportunities that are faced by manufacturers in the City. Noah’s intimate knowledge of zoning, the building and permitting process, and lease negotiation helps SFMade companies make the most of one of their most valuable assets, their space. Noah enjoys surfing, golfing, and working with creative minded people. Noah holds a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from San Diego State University.
noah@sfmade.org
415-408-5605 x 5