Our Team

Kim Karris

Director of Strategic Development

“It is not an investment if its destroying the planet” -- Vandana Shiva

As Director of Strategic Development, Kim cultivates relationships with new and existing philanthropic partners to help direct catalytic capital to Elemental Excelerator’s programs. As part of the Growth team, they also create digital and in-person experiences that inspire donors to join Elemental in solving the climate crisis.

Prior to Elemental Excelerator

Most recently, Kim served as the Interim CEO and Director of Strategic Development at Food System 6 Accelerator — a national nonprofit that invests in entrepreneurs designing solutions that are accelerating the transition to a just and regenerative food system — where they built the organization’s development strategy and fundraising program. Prior to Food System 6 Accelerator, Kim helped launch Food Well Alliance — an innovative convening and grantmaking organization focused on building an equitable local food system across metro Atlanta. As Executive Director, they mobilized a regional coalition of policymakers, funders, urban farmers and food entrepreneurs that worked together to change local policies, fund over $10 million in community solutions and amplify the role of local agriculture in improving the city’s nutritional, ecological and economic resilience.

Kim is a graduate of Agnes Scott College and received a Masters Degree in Environment, Development and Peace with a specialization in Sustainable Food Systems from the United Nations mandated

University for Peace in Costa Rica.

Outside of the office

Kim lives in Atlanta with their wife, two dogs and two cats. In addition to wearing their collection of Stetson hats, one of Kim’s greatest joys is connecting to the earth and to culture through growing, cooking, eating (and composting) plant-based food.