May 28, 2025
Team Spotlight: Admin & Finance Team
Behind every successful operation is a dedicated team ensuring efficiency, structure and financial integrity. Our administrative and finance team plays a critical role in supporting the company’s work of nourishing bodies, minds and cultures. From implementing strategic systems to managing financial operations and human resources, this team keeps everything running smoothly.
Katie Fairbanks, COO/Integrator
Katie Fairbanks is the first person to hold the position of Chief Operating Officer/Integrator at CKC Good Food. In this position, she is accountable for all business operations, including the implementation of the “Entrepreneurial Operating System” within the company. Since joining CKC Good Food in 2013, Katie has been an Administrative Assistant, Human Resources Manager, Financial Controller and Director of Human Resources.
The Entrepreneurial Operating System is an approach to internal operations that instills structure, systems and accountability into the company’s business and helps us work toward long-term goals. Katie, being very process-driven, is the perfect person to lead this effort.
“I’ve always found comfort in process and consistency,” Katie said. “Being able to share that strength with CKC Good Food is very rewarding – as is helping the company achieve its vision.”
With these inherent strengths, it’s no wonder Katie had wanted to be a doctor or dentist growing up. She loved the diagnostic process and the idea of being able to help people. Unfortunately, she was never able to get past the blood.
With a master’s degree in public administration, Katie brings knowledge of government policies and procedures to CKC Good Food and helps oversee the company’s service to organizations operating under federal nutrition programs. “Although CKC Good Food is a private company, it really bridges the gap between public and private entities,” she said. “Every day, we provide a public service to thousands. Knowing what we are a part of and the support we bring, especially to those who are under-served or struggling financially, drives me every day.”
Outside of work, Katie and her husband, Tim, are raising their young daughter, Emilia, and enjoy time outdoors, playing pinball and hanging out with their cats, Humphrey & Ada. Given their daughter’s age, Katie admits to being dependent upon caffeine, specifically sugar-free Red Bull.
Steve Schnaser, Finance Coordinator
Finance Coordinator Steve Schnaser has gained a wealth of knowledge about CKC Good Food and our operations in his 20+ years with the company. Since 2002, he has held several mostly behind-the-scenes positions, including: Offsite Kitchen Manager, Co-Director (with Nancy Close) of Menu Planning, Director of Administration, Client Services Manager and now, Finance Coordinator. His current position is his favorite because it has structured responsibilities that help provide a regular rhythm to his days.
As Finance Coordinator, Steve handles accounts payable, accounts receivable and processing payroll. He took over the responsibilities from Katie Fairbanks, who put many processes in place to help streamline Steve’s responsibilities today.
Outside of work, Steve enjoys being outside and cycling. He often rides his bike to work when the weather allows, logging 10 miles round trip between home and work. He and his wife Christine have been married since 1996 and actually met at Caravan Serai, Nancy Close’s restaurant that launched CKC Good Food. They have two adult children, daughter Avery, who is a Tae Kwon Do instructor, and Ethan, a computer programmer, as well as Ozzy, their dog of many breeds, and Ginger the cat.
Shannon Lilga, Human Resources Generalist
Shannon Lilga was hired as our HR Generalist in September 2023, taking over duties from Katie Fairbanks and Steve Schnaser. Shannon was attracted to CKC Good Food for the opportunity to work with a team providing a great service to children in the metro area.
“I am excited to come to work each day to hire staff and help them start their careers with the company,” she said. “I get to work with managers to help give their teams a great place to work.”
Prior to CKC Good Food, she spent several years working in senior living. With the challenges in the health care industry the past several years, Shannon wanted a change. She came across the HR Generalist job post and thought it could be a good fit, since she went to school for hospitality management.
“School lunch is so important to children and being part of the team that provides them with healthy and delicious meals sounded like a great place to work,” she said.
She chose hospitality management for her career because she wanted to work for a large hotel chain and work anywhere in the country. She managed an office and staff for the first several years of her career before transitioning into human resources. She enjoyed working with employees and found it rewarding to help them.
If she could have any job in the world, it would be one that would pay her to travel! (Maybe Shannon and Grace could work together on their dream jobs?!)
Outside of work, Shannon loves to read, travel, and spend time with friends and family (and patronize Starbucks!). She and her husband Eric have been married since 1995. They have two adult sons: Michael, who is a chef, and Evan, who is a computer engineer. They also have two sweet little lap dogs.
Grace Simpson, Administrative Coordinator
Grace joined CKC Good Food in April 2025, after starting their career as a music teacher. They help keep our operations running smoothly by handling incoming email and phone calls, assisting company leadership with policy development and implementation, and other general administrative tasks.
“I’ve always been interested in making a difference and working at CKC Good Food I get to make a difference serving our clients,” Grace said. “I use the skills and perspective I built as a teacher to connect with our clients and my colleagues and ensure organized communication and collaboration.”
As a teacher, Grace demonstrated strong leadership and organizational skills. Highlights include:
- Reducing support calls by 40% through effective communication and de-escalation strategies.
- Successfully managing complex schedules, organizing community events and creating bilingual materials.
- Excelling in roles that require situational awareness, strategic decision-making and technical proficiency.
While working at CKC Good Food is pretty great, Grace’s dream job would be a travel writer – having someone pay them to travel the world!
Grace holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and Spanish from Luther College and is certified in CPR, First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
In their free time, Grace likes to read, do yoga and spend time outside. They also sing in Prairie Fire Choir, a community a cappella choir.
Originally from Menominie, Wisconsin, Grace is the youngest of three siblings. They have an older brother, Dan, and an older sister, Erin. In the summer months, the siblings enjoy spending time with their dad at the lake, where they play cards (specifically double-deck Pfeiffer) and board games and take lots of family walks.
If you want to get on Grace’s good side, give them treats to indulge their huge sweet tooth!
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