Jean Silver-Isenstadt
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MONICA LEWIS
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Margo Duesterhaus
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PATRICK CURTIS
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James AguirreJames brings years of sales leadership experience working in the IT domain, advising on IT/AI/Cyber go-to-market strategies that protect the homeland. He is currently a Senior Director for an artificial intelligence company. James is also the founder of 1st Principles LLC. a consultancy, that assembles key partnerships in IT, that executes positive change through innovation and inclusion. To recharge, he volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, gardens, designs landscapes and builds things. His passion is about social good, serving others and empowering people.
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jen blondoJen is a finance professional with the uncommon ability to weave in operational and talent management expertise. She is able to take a high-level approach to your business organization, helping all parts of the whole to work together in tandem to maximize your outcomes. Jen comes to CEI through her active engagement in the community, especially Leadership Howard County.
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MAbrooka ChaudhryMabrooka has taught social studies and advanced research at Atholton High School (neighbor to Freetown Farm) for 25 years. Community service, engagement, and volunteerism are her passions. She believes that sustainability education can transform young people’s lives and lead to improved mental and physical health. Mabrooka has bachelor's degrees in History and Social Studies Secondary Education, a Masters of Liberal Arts and a Masters Certification in School Administration and Supervision from Loyola University.
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Erica CoadyErica is a celebrated professional in the sustainable and organic agriculture sectors with over 10 years of entrepreneurial history leading, supporting, and advising the development and operations of production farms, local food hubs, and regenerative farming projects. Erica works as a Certification Coordinator with the Real Organic Project, a farmer-led movement that upholds the integrity of organic farming. Erica is dedicated to being a good steward of the land, and sharing her love of sustainable, local food and farming.
vernon grayVernon is a retired professor of Political Science and has a Doctor of Philosophy in Government and Politics. Vernon served for 20 years on the Howard County Council and was the first Black person elected to office in Howard County. Vernon’s policy focus on the Council were access to health, affordable housing, environmental issues and programs for youth. Vernon has served on numerous non-profit boards and has been President of the Maryland Association of Counties and the National Association of Counties. Vernon is currently a Public Policy Advisor and Political Consultant.
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Akil ColeAkil is a committed youth mentor, student advocate, and entrepreneur with experience in leadership development and student life optimization. He is a student at Georgetown University and is pursuing degrees in Environmental Studies and Justice and Peace Studies. As host and producer of CEI's podcast, Community Blooms, Akil highlights positive environmental, health, and educational work. He also founded Your Better Four, a life skills development service for high-school students. Listen to Akil's Community Blooms podcast.
ERica JonesErica is a Chef, Farmer, and Master Gardener with a passion for growing local food and preparing healthy and delicious meals with the bounty. She is a teacher in our award-winning Nourishing Gardens program and leads the way in our use of regenerative agriculture principles at Freetown Farm. She’s an advocate for edible schoolyard gardens and on a mission to transform public school lunch programs so that every student has fresh, locally grown food on their lunch trays every day. Grow with her on Instagram@Edesiagurl”
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Kim FlyrKim is a mental health counselor, yoga teacher, writer, teacher, and grandmother. She has a passion for integrative healing and believes that being in and learning from nature help us heal. Kim grew up and still lives in Columbia, where she has spent many hours walking a dog along its paths. She enjoys giving back to her community by supporting organizations like CEI.
Yi LiuYi is a foodie, military veteran, and cybersecurity professional at a top Fortune company. While not managing complex multinational technology programs and fighting bad guys in cyberspace, she enjoys volunteering at CEI with family, getting her hands dirty and being in nature. As human activities push the world into a danger zone, Yi believes contributing to the earth's well-being is crucial, influencing the next generation of citizens is key to regeneration.
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Leah MillerLeah has twenty years of experience in sustainability and environmental education program management. She has a BA in Political Science and Organismal Biology from Yale and is a LEED Green Associate. She currently serves as the Energy Manager for Howard County. Previously, she worked as the Sustainability Program Manager for Montgomery County and the Clean Water Program Director for the Izaak Walton League of America. Her family enjoys participating in CEI's Families in Nature events.
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kia payneKia is inspired by community activists and social disruptors. She builds on 25 years as a finance and accounting professional to develop both financial literacy programs and facilitate financial wellness workshops for her clients and employees of social service organizations, non-profits and small businesses.
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GARY PILARCHIKGary started his YouTube channel, The Rusted Garden, in 2011 as a way to enjoy himself and teach others about gardening. He has since grown his following to more than 638,000 subscribers. His belief is that a garden wants to give, vegetables want to grow, and everyone can have a successful garden. Gary is also a clinical mental health therapist who worked for Johns Hopkins for the last 15 years, before retiring in 2020. He sees vegetable gardening as a global practice that brings people together across cultures and geographical boundaries.
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Jason VanKirkJason is a Vice President with Elm Street Development. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a Commissioner on the Patuxent River Commission, a member of the Leadership Howard County class of 2019, where he served on CEI’s project team to purchase and protect our farm property, and is the Vice Chair of Finance for the Boy Scouts of America National Pike District.
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