The Heart Behind the Mission

At the CCC, our leadership team brings a depth of experience, passion, and purpose to everything we do. Each of us is united by a shared belief – that mentorship, care, and opportunity can change lives. Together, we’re cultivating a model of workforce development that uplifts individuals, strengthens communities, and reimagines what it means to lead through service.

Meet the Team

  • Chef Ben Vaughn

    Ben Vaughn

    Founder / CEO

    Bio
  • CHef Norman Van Aken

    Norman Van Aken

    Culinary Advisor

    Miami, FL

    Bio
  • Andrew Zimmern

    Andrew Zimmern

    Culinary Advisor

    BIO
  • A young woman with long blonde hair smiling at the camera, wearing a dark top, standing against a plain light-colored wall.

    Audrey Vaughn

    Co-Founder / Secretary / MPT

    BIO
  • A man with glasses, tattoos, and a slight smile, wearing a teal cap with the word "Conbelia" and an orange scarf around his neck, sitting in front of a floral painted backdrop.

    Vinnie Cimino

    Culinary Advisor

    Cleveland, OH

    BIO
  • A smiling woman with glasses, long wavy hair, and hoop earrings, wearing a brown blazer and black top against a dark background.

    Taylor Moore

    Board Member

    Bio
  • A male chef in a white coat, with short hair and a tattoo on his right forearm, standing in a kitchen with a patterned backsplash and kitchen utensils and pots behind him.

    Matt Schweitzer

    Culinary Advisor

    Memphis, TN

    Bio
  • A woman in a white chef's coat and blue apron stands in a restaurant or cafe, smiling with her hand on her hip, in front of a textured white wall.

    Lee Anne Wong

    Culinary Advisor

    BIO
  • A woman with black hair, wearing a pearl necklace, red lipstick, and a black and white patterned top, smiling against a dark background.

    Dr. Audrey Elion

    Education Advisor / Board Member

    BIO
  • Gabriel Velasquez

    Gabriel Velasquez

    Board Member

    BIO
  • Sophina Uong

    Sophina Uong

    Culinary Advisor

    New Orleans, LA

    BIO
  • A man with light skin and gray hair tied back, wearing a white dress shirt and a blue tie with small white patterns, standing in front of blue and gold patterned curtains.

    Alan Douglas

    Board Member

    BIO
  • A bearded man with tattoos on his arms wearing a gray shirt and apron standing indoors by a white wall with black decor.

    Aaron Lopez

    Culinary Advisor

    BIO

  • Chip Dunham

    Culinary Advisor

    Memphis, TN

    BIO
  • Man smiling outdoors, wearing a black hat and glasses, standing next to a tree and a yellow wall.

    Simon Majumdar

    Culinary Advisor

    BIO
  • Chef Dave Krog

    Dave Krog

    BIO

  • Jamie Davis

    Culinary Advisor

    North Carolina

    BIO
  • Male chef in black uniform with crossed arms, smiling, standing against a white background.

    Jose Mendin

    Culinary Advisor

    Miami, FL / San Juan, PR

    Bio
  • A man with gray hair smiling, wearing a dark shirt and blazer, with framed photographs and a television in the background.

    Dr. William Steven Stone

    Board Member

    Bio
  • A smiling middle-aged man with short light brown hair, wearing a dark suit jacket and a light blue shirt, standing indoors in front of a wooden wall and glass window.

    Kevin Doddridge

    Board Member / Treasurer

    Bio
  • A smiling man wearing a camouflage cap and maroon Under Armour polo shirt outdoors with trees in the background.

    Dr. Allen Williams

    Agriculture Advisor

    Bio
  • A woman with long blonde hair wearing a gray shirt and a black apron, standing indoors with brick and white walls, and large windows, looking at the camera.

    Meredith Clinton

    Culinary Advisor

    Memphis, TN

    Bio
  • A smiling older woman wearing glasses and a red plaid shirt, standing indoors near a brick wall with a lacy curtain decoration and framed photos in the background.

    Rev. Mary Stone

    Board Member / MSW, MDiv

    Bio
  • A smiling man in a suit outdoors with trees in the background.

    Andy Johnson

    Board Member

    Bio