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

Em Shipman

Executive Director

Sarah Lane

Sarah Lane

Grant Program Director

Suzanne DeJohn

Suzanne DeJohn

Horticulturalist

Amelia Dupuis

Amelia Dupuis

Director of Administration & Kids Garden Community Manager

Noel Nicholas

Noel Nicholas

Educational Content Manager

Sarah Pounders

Sarah Pounders

Senior Education Specialist

Beth Saunders

Beth Saunders

Marketing and Communications Director

Our Board

Nikhil Arora

Nikhil Arora

Bill Calkins

Bill Calkins

Perla Sofía Curbelo-Santiago

Perla Sofía Curbelo-Santiago

Jim Feinson

Jim Feinson

Sonya Harris

Sonya Harris

Tony Hillery

Tony Hillery

Christie Kane

Christie Kane

Kit Perkins

Kit Perkins

Tristana Pirkl

Tristana Pirkl

MJ Reale

MJ Reale

Zaw Win

Zaw Win

Will Raap

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.