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Meet Karen Jayne of Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Jayne.

Karen, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started my career focused on corporate retail purchasing and inventory management working for several public and private corporations both big and small. About 20 years ago I moved into the non-profit sector filling controller and director of finance roles before becoming the executive director for a nonprofit organization focused on helping children with developmental disabilities and their families. In 2011 my husband and I decided to move to Phoenix to be closer to the family. After we got settled I began looking for non-profit leadership opportunities and noticed Stardust was looking for an executive director. The position is a perfect fit for me as it combines non-profit leadership with retail expertise. I have been with Stardust for over 6 years and thoroughly enjoy leading this exciting organization.

Has it been a smooth road?
There are always struggles in every facet of life. The opportunity is in how you approach each challenge and respond. I find I am amazingly resilient even when faced with challenges that seem daunting. I get my biggest strength from my husband. He is extremely supportive and helpful in walking through the options and deciding on the best course for the future.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies provides quality reclaimed materials for reuse. We are the only locally based organization focused on building material reuse in our community. Founded in 1997, Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies was created when a local philanthropist and founding Board member was about to undertake a complete home remodeling project. As with any major remodeling project, the first step is to remove everything from the home, essentially gutting the structure in preparation for rebuilding.

On the weekend before the demolition was to begin, the Founder told several friends to take whatever they wanted out of the house. When the Founder and his wife returned to inspect the property prior to demolition they were surprised to discover every usable material had been removed from the house including cabinets, plumbing fixtures, lighting and electrical supplies and flooring. The Founder’s friends used the materials to remodel their own homes, sold items to those who could not afford the prices of large retail stores or donated items to others in need. It is from this humble beginning that Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies was born.

Over the past 20 years, Stardust has increased its focus on diverting usable building materials from local landfills while providing a resource for low-income homeowners who are interested in remodeling their homes. Stardust operates retail warehouse stores selling building supplies donated by manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and individuals. This process diverts over 4.0 million pounds of reusable building materials from local landfills every year making new and nearly-new materials available to our community at 50-80% off retail prices.

Proceeds generated by Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies stores are used to support Deconstruction and Gifts In Kind programs. Stardust Deconstruction services offer removal and pick-up of materials at no cost to the home or business owner to further encourage recycling and environmental stewardship. Stardust Deconstruction crews remove useable building materials from homes and businesses at no cost to the donor, in return for a donation of the items removed. Gifts In Kind, operated in partnership with Valley of the Sun United Way, annually distributes over $6.5 million worth of usable materials donated by local retailers such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot to nonprofit organizations for use by their clients or to support their operations. Stardust’s Gifts In Kind program supports over 300 non-profit agencies in Maricopa County and touches the lives of over 160,000 individuals and their families every year. It is through these community service programs and partnerships that Stardust is able to serve a wide range of individuals from young to elderly, all living at or below the poverty level.

I am most proud of our accomplishments over the past 20 years including diverting over 80 million pounds of usable materials from our local landfills and putting them back to good use in our community. We have also been recognized as one of the top 100 places to work in Arizona 5 out of the last 6 years; received Arizona Forwards Crescordia Award from Environmental Excellence; Piper Charitable Trusts Award for Exceptional Organizations and EPA Region 9’s Environmental Excellence Award. I am also very humbled by the extraordinary individuals I work alongside every day to ensure usable materials are accessible to our community. We have an amazing team!

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Phoenix is a very vibrant city. I appreciate its diversity. I also enjoy the climate, geography, and geology, the mountains are striking! I really can’t stand the traffic!

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