Justin Smith

Common Threads staffers come from varying backgrounds, but share a concern for children, a commitment to positive social change, and a love of good food and the communities food can create and sustain.

Justin graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Anthropology and Gender Studies and is currently working on his Master of Nonprofit Administration from North Park University in Chicago.  He received culinary training from Chef Jimmy Phillips while working at Miel in Nashville, TN.  As the Chicago Program Manager he handles the relationships with all the Common Threads partner schools in Chicago, while also managing the needs of our chef instructors as they implement Common Threads programming and lessons.  Justin believes in the transcendent power of healthy food and cooking to change lives and society; he enjoys nothing more than passing that love and skill along to the many wonderful children and families served by Common Threads.