Staff

Anne Evans has an M.S. in Nutrition and is a Registered Dietitian. She recently moved to California by way of New York where she spent the last 2 years working as the head nutritionist for an HIV/AIDS Adult Day Treatment Program. Anne has extensive experience in nutrition education, curriculum development, garden based learning, and community outreach. In Seattle, Washington Anne managed the implementation of a Farm-to-Cafeteria program at a local public school through coordination and collaboration of farmers, school administrators, kitchen personnel, parents and the community.

Kris Jensen is our executive director. Inspired by the Permaculture principles of earth care, people care and fair share Kris is excited to bring to Collective Roots his passion for social and environmental justice--especially with how it relates to our food system. Kris has spent his career working in the nonprofit sector trying to change the world in whatever way he could--beginning with a focus on job training with the developmentally disabled, moving on to working with older adults and the past several years as a highly successful fundraiser. Kris, a Cupertino resident, earned his BA from San Jose State University in Political Science and received his certification in Permaculture Design from the Regenerative Design Institute in Bolinas, California.

Eron Sandler is the Program Director for Collective Roots. Eron worked for many years on organic farms and as a teacher and coordinator for environmental and educational non-profit organizations. Eron studied Environmental Education at both Hampshire College and earned an M.S. in Environmental Studies at Antioch New England Graduate School. Her travels and experiences learning about cultures, food, and farming in Europe, India, the Philippines, Mexico and Thailand greatly influence her views on food security, nutrition, community and education. She is inspired by growing food, establishing community relationships and getting people excited about being in the garden.

Sheila Vreeburg brings 30 years of experience as a bookkeeper and office manager. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Art, Magna Cum Laude, from Notre Dame de Namur University, and has experience working with organizations both large and small.

Nicole Wires is the Food System Change Coordinator for Collective Roots. A graduate of Stanford University, Nicole studied Earth Systems, an inter-disciplinary environmental science program, and created an emphasis on sustainable agriculture and food justice. Nicole previously worked on issues of international food security, spending time abroad in Ecuador, Tanzania, and Burkina Faso. Born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, she loves the west, the mountains, backpacking, climbing, biking, gardening and being outside.

Kyli Arford was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawai'i and is from the town of Kailua-Kona. She got her degree in Biology from Cal State East Bay. She has spent the last couple of years working on a few different farms with a focus in Sustainable Agriculture and Farmer's Market systems. She worked as a livestock manager and kitchen manager and tended to a large diversity of animals and a variety of fruits and vegetables. She also worked as a community facilitator for One Island Sustainable Living Center and was an integral member in organizing and facilitating the West Hawaii Solar Energy Project, a grant funding project that helped to get solar energy into the community.

Wendy Chan is a Garden Educator and member of the Silicon Valley HealthCorps (an AmeriCorps program). A recent graduate from UC San Diego, Wendy majored in Urban Studies and City planning, with a focus on sustainability and the environment. In her last year of college, she was inspired through working with a local community garden in San Diego called New Roots. The IRC, International Rescue Committee, who founded New Roots, works with the issues of cultural diversity and healthy living. This experience motivated her future goals to work towards helping communities achieve living sustainable, healthy, and balanced lifestyles. She enjoys practicing yoga, exploring the outdoors, and continues on learning from the daily lessons of life.

Neha Bazaj is a full-time member of the Silicon Valley HealthCorps (an AmeriCorps program). Upon graduating from UCLA in 2010 with a degree in Economics, she spent a summer at the UC Davis Organic Student Farm and then transitioned to a small citrus farm in Southern California. She spent the past year running a nutrition education program and exploring the economic challenges of being a small farmer. Neha is working to understand the economic challenges faced by all members of the food system, in order to create equitable and sustainable change at the community level.

Matilde Sanchez is the co-manager of the East Palo Alto Community Farmers Market. She was born in Mazatlan Sinaloa, Mexico. She is excited to belong to Collective Roots and have the opportunity to promote healthy food in our community and encourage us to return to the histories and cultures of our ancestors. Matilde keeps herself busy with community activism! She is a Promotora de Salud (Community Health Promoter), working in El Concilio de San Mateo and also part-time with Nuestra Casa. She coordinates a group of parents every Friday to discuss different topics related to health and community well-being, and they meet once a month with the mayor of East Palo Alto to brainstorm solutions to community problems.

Jennifer Steward is the co-manager of the East Palo Alto Community Farmers Market. She was born in Long Beach and raised in the Bay Area. She has five children and ten grandchildren. She is very involved in her church (Bread of Life with pastor Mary Fraser), and really looks forward to getting back to basics with the Farmers' Market. She believes strongly that good, healthy eating will be a powerful source of healing for our community. Jennifer has over twenty years of work experience in the community, formerly with JobTrain working with the Welfare to Work program helping second, third, and fourth generation women on welfare escape poverty and find work.