Jean Silver-Isenstadt
President

Jean (M.D., Ph.D.) is a writer, nature-lover, and social historian whose work has focused on patient-centered health reform.  Jean served as the founding Executive Director of the National Physicians Alliance (now Doctors for America) and has fifteen years’ leadership experience in the non-profit sector.  She is the author of Shameless: The Visionary Life of Mary Gove Nichols (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2002).  Raised in Columbia, Maryland, Jean is a grateful beneficiary of open-space neighborhoods, open-space schools, and developer James Rouse’s bold commitment to racial, religious, and socioeconomic integration.

MONICA LEWIS
​VICE PRESIDENT

Monica has been a health educator and certified fitness instructor for over twenty years.  She has a BS in Clinical Laboratory Science and a Master’s degree in Nutrition. She previously worked in the county promoting healthy environments in areas facing health disparities; advocating for community gardens and increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables and environments for physical activity.  She has a deep love of sustainable food systems and environmental wellness while partnering with a farm.  She continues to foster the same passion and desire with partnering with CEI. She currently works at HCC as an adjunct and MLT clinical coordinator.

Margo Duesterhaus
​secretary

Margo is President and co-owner of Triple TeQ, a small business that focuses on integrating people, processes and technology to create successful projects and organizations. She has degrees in Computer Science, Astronomy and Organizational Learning and has worked with organizations such as NASA and NOAA. She is a founder of Transition Howard, which focuses on creating locally sustainable and resilient communities. 

kia payne
​TREASURER

Kia 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. 

James Aguirre

James 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.

Jen Blondo

Jen 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. ​​

MAbrooka Chaudhry

Mabrooka 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. 

Erica Coady

Erica 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 gray

Vernon 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. 

Akil Cole

Akil 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. 

Kim Flyr

Kim 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.

Eduardo Marin

​Eduardo is a student at Yale University majoring in Environmental Studies and in Urban Studies. He has had experience with environmental landscaping through his employment with Howard EcoWorks. He has also worked as a student assistant in Avolio's lab at John Hopkins University, with research on urban ecology: how humans affect the natural world. Last but not least, Eduardo has been volunteering, interning and working with CEI at Freetown Farm since the fall of 2019! 

Leah Miller

​Leah 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.

GARY PILARCHIK

Gary 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. ​​​

Jason VanKirk

Jason 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. ​