INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FARMERS MARKET COALITION

Willa draws on her background in education and farming to support a food system that strengthens local access to healthy and affordable food. At FMC, she focuses on helping people make informed purchasing and eating choices, and she works with leaders who want to improve how food moves through their local markets. Her efforts highlight practical change, steady coordination, and a commitment to strengthening the networks that bring fresh food to households.

CO-FOUNDER, RADICAL OPTIMIST COLLECTIVE

Lisa brings optimism to problem-solving and is committed to creating space for more perspectives in every engagement. She approaches complex social topics with steadiness and awareness of her own position, and she is known for navigating hard conversations with care and accountability. Lisa reflects the heart of our collective and also serves as a 1:1 coach and lead facilitator, helping groups move from discussion to practical action.

FOUNDER, THE LOLA & VENTURE FOR AMERICA

Eileen is the co-founder of the Lola, a collaborative workspace created to support professionals seeking connection, growth, and mutual encouragement. She serves as an advisor and mentor with Venture for America and also advises Project Entrepreneur, a program designed to strengthen the work of emerging founders. Eileen is a member of the Changemaker Board at Hands On Atlanta and serves on the board of the Spring Research Foundation.

FOUNDER, THE HAND, HEART AND SOUL PROJECT

Wande serves as the Executive Director of the Hand, Heart and Soul Project and as the Liaison for Community, Quality and Engagement at Little Ones Learning Center, where she oversees the operations of a comprehensive early childhood program. She is known for developing Farm to Early Care and Education initiatives that have become a national example of how to connect young children with fresh food and practical wellness learning.

FOUNDER, THE HIGHLANDER SCHOOL

Rukia has supported young children and their families for more than twenty years. She has a strong interest in reflective practices, particularly in how they inform curriculum planning and strengthen connections between educators and families. She is the founder of the Highlander School, a nature-centered learning community designed to encourage collaboration, curiosity, and a thoughtful approach to childhood.

FOUNDER, JUNE DRAGONFLY & THE ACB GROUP

Andrea brings more than twenty years of experience in the wellbeing and entertainment field and is the founder and CEO of The Andrea C. Bibbs Group and June Dragonfly. She previously served as Vice President of Marketing and Studio Operations at Warner Bros. Discovery, where she guided major campaigns and operational strategy.

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR, CREATIVE DISRUPTOR, STRATEGIC CONSULTANT

Cicely Garret holds a B.S.B.A. degree with a concentration in Finance and New & Small Business Management from Georgetown University and a Master of Public Policy degree with a concentration in Non-profit Management from The George Washington University. A lifelong volunteer and servant leader, Cicely’s involvements have included LEAD Atlanta Class of 2013, Georgetown University Alumni Board of Governors, Atlanta BeltLine Partnership’s AB67 Board, Common Market Georgia Board Chair, and Kipp Ways Academy Board. She was awarded the Outstanding Atlanta Community Service Award in 2014 and Creative Loafing’s Neighborhood MVP in 2015.

AUTHOR, CULINARY EDUCATOR, FOOD ACCESS ACTIVIST

Chef Juju Harris is a food insecurity advocate committed to highlighting the strategic ways that organizations and educators can collaborate on creating a healthier, stable food system. A culinary expert and organic gardener, she believes that food education is crucial to food accessibility and demonstrates h w healthy eating can be affordable in her cookbook, Healthy and Homemade: Eating Well on a Budget.

CULINARY DIRECTOR, FOOD JUSTICE ADVOCATE

Stacey Whitney is an experienced food justice advocate whose work is focused on facilitating the intricate connections between food systems, social justice, and empowerment of disenfranchised communities. Her expertise in these areas positioned her perfectly to offer meaningful contributions to the Anti-Racist Farmers Market Toolkit.

OWNER, YELLOW MAT WELLNESS & RAREBIRD

Siha’s passion for creating great culture and organizational excellence led her to integrated wellness, becoming a meditation teacher and trauma-informed educator focused on social impact and justice. She authors and facilitates experiences on wealth, wellness, social justice, and community care. Through her brand, Yellow Mat Wellness, Siha has curated innovative wellness content for brands like Lululemon, Google, and The Honey Pot Co. Siha is also the owner and creative director at Rarebird, a freelance agency and design collective in Decatur, GA.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FARMERS MARKET FUND

Rachael Ward brings 10 years of project management experience in the non-profit sector at the intersection of nutrition, public health, and agriculture. She is passionate about tying the fields of food assistance and local food together to create equitable and inclusive environments. At FMC, Rachael manages projects within the farmers market support team. She serves the Oregon food space by overseeing all Farmers Market Fund operation, developing and executing strategic plans, and managing a motivated team of staff, contractors, and volunteers.

DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Rachel is a dedicated development and support specialist with a knack for maximizing the reach of social entrepreneurs. She manages the back-end of project planning, event planning, program management, and scheduling, while also providing intentional executive support to Sagdrina and Sage D partners. She also plays a key role in cultivating business connections and strengthening client relationships that sustain ongoing projects.

PROGRAM & ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

Joslyn demonstrates a deep commitment to facilitating social change and impact at various levels, a strength that has been pivotal in supporting the work of Sage D and Legacy Leadership. She manages key operational tasks that keep programs running smoothly and ensures that internal systems stay organized and efficient. Her administrative oversight helps maintain clear communication, steady coordination, and reliable follow-through across all projects.

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER

Lita Hooper-Simanga is a highly skilled professional in instructional design, training and development, course design and development, storyboarding, scriptwriting, eLearning, universal design, learning management systems, curriculum development, competency-based education, program management, and leadership development. With a B.A. in Communication, an M.A. in Creative Writing, an M.A. in Education, and a D.A. in English and Humanities, Lita brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to any project or organization she is involved with