ABOUT US
The Knapp family members have long been advocates of empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Their scholarship and internship programs are a catalyst to give young adults the opportunity to become prominent and successful servant leaders in their communities.
Robert Knapp: Robert has dedicated his entire career to coaching and mentoring professionals in the financial services industry. He believes passionately in the power of mentoring to shape individuals for success in their professional and personal lives. His passion for coaching talented individuals to reach exceptional levels of performance has solidified his reputation throughout the financial services sector as a visionary and creative leader.
Robert was a Navy pilot before launching his 30-plus year career at Merrill Lynch. It was while serving as a Managing Director that he saw the need to create a roadmap for financial advisors to communicate more efficiently with their clients to create greater client satisfaction, and he, along with a team of financial advisors and leaders at Merrill Lynch, developed a client service, client acquisition and practice management model called the Supernova Process.
In 2008 Robert authored the book, "The Supernova Advisor" for financial advisors and other professionals who are seeking a smarter way to grow and a better way to serve. All proceeds from the sale of the book will be used to fund the scholarships for the Knapp Family Foundation.
While his brothers and his son are graduates of Pfeiffer University, he completed his education at Wake Forest University. He has the distinction of giving the largest unrestricted gift in Pfeiffer University's history. Recently, Rob generously donated the Knapp Scholarship for undergraduate students, along with current funding to support the Financial Fraud Program and its annual conference.
Marcia Knapp: Graduating from Cedar Crest College with a BA and honors in history, Marcia worked for several magazines helping to produce their physical layouts combining copy and advertising. After the birth of her children and with more time at home, she was able to become involved in educational and arts charities.
Giving back to the community has always been an important outreach in her family. By providing educational opportunities that might not exist for some children, she hopes a path towards a successful future can be created.
Courtney Knapp: Courtney is a two-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning television producer. For many years, she produced lifestyle segments for daytime talk shows like The Martha Stewart Show, The Talk, FabLife, and Pickler and Ben; and has been the culinary producer for a variety of cooking shows highlighting celebrities and famed chefs like “Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party” with Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg (VH1), “Trisha’s Southern Kitchen” with Trisha Yearwood (Food Network), “On the Table“ with Eric Ripert (Esquire), and “Emeril‘s Table” with Emeril Lagasse (Hallmark), as well as the co-creator and producer of FixAte for Beachbody and digital food shows for YouTube’s Tasted and Reserve Channels. She cooked professionally in restaurants before transitioning into television, and still writes, tests, and develops recipes.
Currently she creates and produces culinary shows, branded videos, and digital food content. She has a master's degree in Food Studies from New York University, a culinary degree from the Natural Gourmet Culinary Institute, and bachelor's degree in Sociology from Connecticut College. Volunteering was a strong part of her high school experience, and continued through college and beyond as an active member and organizer for Amnesty International in Switzerland and Connecticut, as well as a volunteer for Slow Food NYC, NY Women's Culinary Alliance, and the Nashville Food Project.
Christopher Knapp: Born in a New England blizzard, Christopher knows the importance of a well-built home, which may account for his passion for preservation carpentry. It took him years, however, to realize his calling, as he struggled with a learning disability early on. Proctor Academy, with its hands-on teaching and supportive atmosphere (learning center, in particular) helped him realize his full potential, and is the reason Christopher feels the need to help others who struggle with academic issues.
Christopher graduated from North Bennett Street School with a degree in Preservation Carpentry and has worked on everything from the Paul Revere home to historical cases that hold one of Harvard Museum’s most prestigious exhibition, The Glass Flowers. He believes strongly in working with your hands and respecting the craftsmanship of the past, and supports organizations that uphold those values.
Simon Ford: Simon is a leading voice of the global cocktail and bar industry with over 20 years experience in bartending, educating on cocktails & spirits and marketing some of the biggest spirits brands on the planet.
Simon is now the co-founder of The 86 Company, a spirits company dedicated to creating brands designed in unison with professional bartenders and celebrated distillers from around the world. The 86 Co launched Fords Gin, Tequila Cabeza, Aylesbury Duck Vodka and Caña Brava Rum in September 2012. Simon took part in the Next Generation Leadership Summit on social entrepreneurialism that was held at the White House in 2010. He has worked tirelessly as a fundraiser for SpeedRack, a women's bar competition that raises money for breast cancer research, and recently climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise money for un86'd, a group supporting healthcare for Chicago's bar community.
Kate Knapp: With a BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College and a Masters in Gastronomy from Boston University, Kate has devoted her life to her two main passions: the written word and good (health- and taste-wise) food. She works as a freelance writer, recipe tester, and editor on cookbooks and online publications, such as Food52, Eat Boutique, and Leite's Culinaria.
She believes strongly that everyone deserves access to a proper education and real ingredients. She, therefore, supports institutions that uphold these beliefs by going above-and-beyond in teaching and feeding those in need.
"I encourage young people to strive for leadership and excellence knowing that success will come naturally with time."
-Robert Knapp
