Born and raised in Idyllwild, Molly Mapel graduated from Idyllwild Arts Academy’s Creative Writing department in 2001 as Salutatorian and then went on to graduate with a degree in English and Creative Writing from NYU. Looking for a way to combine her values with her profession, she began her career in the nonprofit world with NRDC, an international environmental law and advocacy group. Her move into Branding and Marketing took place by way of food, as she decided to start a Farmers Market bakery business in order to champion organic, Fair Trade Certified, and locally sourced ingredients from regional farmers. Melding her passion for the art of storytelling with her deep appreciation for good food, Molly spent the next nine years building beloved, mission-driven restaurant brands including Mendocino Farms, Veggie Grill, and Pokeworks. With a focus on authenticity in communication and an entrepreneurial approach, Molly is committed to helping mission-driven organizations grow and succeed.