People

The FoCo Cafe is a volunteer-driven organization. The Cafe was a volunteer-only organization for the first five months and then we began filling positions to achieve consistency and sustainability. We spend much time and care with our volunteers and we have seen many volunteers and student interns go on to meaningful jobs or educational opportunities after gifting their time and talent to the Cafe.


Jeff & Kathleen Baumgardner, Co-Founders

Jeff and Kathleen Baumgardner founded the Cafe and incorporated in Colorado as a non-profit in June 2012. Kathleen served as the Volunteer Executive Director from concept until she was hired by the Board four years later, in April 2016. She managed the administrative side of the operation, managed interns, performed public speaking, and executed FoCo Cafe communications. Jeff served as the Volunteer Chef and Operations Manager since the grand opening, Thanksgiving 2014.  Jeff has created and served tens of thousands of meals to the community! He has a heart for health equity, a talent for making incredible soups, and a gift for serving people. In 2017, Jeff and Kathleen Baumgardner retired to Hawaii.


Dexter Beasley, Executive Director

Dexter has lived in Colorado for most of their life, but only moved to Fort Collins in August of 2017 to attend CSU. They received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Leadership and Entrepreneurial Professions in May of 2021. Dexter has 8 years of leadership experience in the food service industry, but their true passion has always lied in building community and serving the underserved. Dexter has a passion for equity, diversity, and inclusion — and they completed numerous courses and an internship with Poudre School District centered around these subjects during their time at CSU. They love to make people laugh, and they were a Rams Improv Comedy troupe member during their time at CSU. Dexter joined the FoCo Cafe team as Operations Manager in August of 2022, and stepped into the role of Executive Director in February of 2023 — now overseeing all operations of FoCo Cafe.


Michelle Coy, Chef

Chef Coy has been rooted in the Fort Collins community since 2009. As an outdoor enthusiast, she loves riding bikes (road, gravel, and mountain), playing in Ultimate Frisbee Leagues, and traveling. She has traveled to 12 countries! Her love of food kick-started her culinary career five years ago, and she’s hit the ground running; hungry to learn all she can. Her commitment to food and community has led her in helping three restaurants open in Fort Collins, two pop-up dinner and event company launches, cooked for two backcountry events lasting several days, and assisting in a solar-powered greenhouse plant startup company. Her food philosophy? Food is the one world language. When you sit down at a table for a home-cooked meal, it doesn’t matter what you believe, what language you speak, or where you come from. Everyone is family. She’s excited to be a part of this family and support the mission of FoCo Cafe.

recent news

2024 Valentines Day Dinner

Celebrate this Valentine’s Day with a delectable 4-Course dinner made by FoCo Cafe’s Chef, Taylor! Vegan/GF options are…

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Party with a Purpose 2021

Join FoCo Cafe and Odell Brewing Co. to celebrate Colorado Gives Day, a statewide celebration of Colorado nonprofits…

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7th Anniversary & Thanksgiving Celebration

Celebrate FoCo Cafe’s 7th anniversary this year by joining us for a traditional and locally-sourced Thanksgiving lunch! Dine-in,…

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