Staff & Board
We are a hardworking team that values compassion, humility, and optimism, and are dedicated to creating opportunities for all children to learn, play, and grow through the garden.
Our Staff
Em Shipman
Executive Director
Sarah Lane
Grant Program Director
Suzanne DeJohn
Horticulturalist
Amelia Dupuis
Director of Administration & Kids Garden Community Manager
Ava Johnson
Garden Story Project Intern
Noel Nicholas
Educational Content Manager
Sarah Pounders
Senior Education Specialist
Beth Saunders
Marketing and Communications Director
Our Board
Nikhil Arora
Bill Calkins
Perla Sofía Curbelo-Santiago
Jim Feinson
Sonya Harris
Tony Hillery
Christie Kane
Ken Lane
Kit Perkins
Tristana Pirkl
MJ Reale
Midori Uehara
Zaw Win
Will Raap
Former board member Will Raap helped lift KidsGardening back on its feet after we transitioned from the National Gardening Association in 2016. Within the last few years, much to Will’s credit, we have realized these dreams by bringing together youth garden educators from across the country into the Kids Garden Community.
Will died unexpectedly on December 12, 2022, at the age of 73.
We will work to honor Will’s life through our continued efforts to inspire young people to love and care for the earth and its inhabitants. Read more about Will's life.
