Meet the extraordinary therapists behind PepperChat. They’re the reason our platform helps you do what you do best.
Jay Park, Technical Founder
Technical Founder at PepperChat
Giving Kitchen National Advisory Council
B.S. Computer Science, Georgia Institute of Technology
About Jay
From a very young age, Jay knew he wanted to be one of 3 things: a chef, a programmer, or a therapist. Rather than choose just one, he’s carried all three passions with him throughout his life. While studying computer science at Georgia Tech, he focused every elective and spare credit on cognitive and behavioral psychology. Given assignments in ethical computer science, he chose to gear his subject matter toward the complex nature of electronic health records. To satiate his passion for food, as well as to make ends meet, he worked several jobs in the food service industry from line cook to bar-back to event coordinator.
After graduating, Jay built a career in engineering, eventually stepping into leadership roles. Most recently, before his work at PepperChat, he led the Conversational AI product team at Toast where he explored natural language processing and the ethical boundaries of AI software. Now, with PepperChat, he brings together his lifelong interests—technology, psychology, and human connection—to build tools that support ethical, thoughtful care.
In 2018, Jay joined Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting food service workers in times of crisis. In 2019, the organization was honored with the James Beard Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year award. Jay brings a unique blend of experience in technology, mental health advocacy, and the food service industry to his work with Giving Kitchen, helping to shape its vision and expand its impact. Today, he serves on the National Advisory Council, a role that reflects his deep, ongoing commitment to supporting those who support others.
