top of page

meet the green team

City Sprouts continues to grow due to the commitment of our dedicated staff and Board of Directors, community partners, and volunteers. 

farm-fest-2023-staff-photo

our staff

marissa-jensen-headshot-2023.jpeg

Marissa Jensen 

She/Her

Executive Director

Coming to City Sprouts with a background in conservation leadership and program management, Marissa joined the Green Team in July 2023 as our Executive Director. Over the past ten years, she has worked professionally and in volunteer roles for outdoor and natural resource focused non profit organizations. She has a deep love for gardening and believes sustainable and equitable food systems are essential toward strengthening our community. Marissa is excited to join the talented and passionate team at City Sprouts to continue the organization's important work and mission.

Contact Marissa

DSC_0823_edited_edited.jpg

Aaron French

He/Him

Manager of Urban Farm Initiatives

Aaron joined our team in 2018 and brings loads of agriculture, education, market, and outreach experience to City Sprouts. Aaron manages City Sprouts' Urban Farming Internship and City Sprouts' multiple growing sites.  

Contact Aaron

edgar-staff-pic_edited_edited.jpg

Edgar Romero Gonzalez

He/Him

City Sprouts South Manager + Assistant Educator

Born in Mexico City and Midwest-raised, Edgar is bilingual in Spanish (his native language) and English. Though he is ultra-focused at the task at hand, he still loves having a good time and incorporating fun into his work. Edgar graduated from Metropolitan Community College in 2015 with a degree in Horticulture, Land Systems and Management. He is experienced in greenhouse production, organic cultivation, cultivation consulting, and is excited to be teaching some here at City Sprouts and leading a team of 2021 interns. Edgar oversees operations of City Sprouts South and will help teach in many of our programs in both English and Spanish.

Contact Edgar

emily-staff-portrait_edited.jpg

Emily Ramelb

She/Her

Communications + Development Manager

Emily joined the City Sprouts team in Spring 2021. She oversees City Sprouts branding, marketing strategy, fundraising and organizational development. Graduated from Rockhurst University, she has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in marketing and communication, and the Helzberg School of Management's Undergraduate Award for Distinguished Leadership. When Emily isn't working, she's in the kitchen whipping up something colorful and delicious, or kicking back with friends and family.

Contact Emily

Director
AaronF
Edgar
Emily
Laura
Shannon
Rocky
Zee
image_67518721_edited.jpg

Zee Elmer

She/Her

Conservation Education Program Coordinator

Zee Elmer joined City Sprouts in May 2023 after graduating from the University of Nebraska - Omaha with her Bachelor's in Environmental Science, concentrating in Earth Sciences and Sustainability. She has worked with various community partners to promote sustainability and conservation during her undergraduate years and will continue that work with City Sprouts. After hours she enjoys crocheting, trying new recipes, hiking, and scuba diving.

Contact Zee

City Sprouts Interns

IMG_5065_edited.jpg

2022 Urban Farming Interns mentored by City Sprouts staff members Aaron French, Edgar Romero Gonzalez, Mia Webb and Laura Simpson. Learn more about the PAID Urban Farming Internship here!

andreya-cook (1).png

Andreya Cook

Andreya joined the City Sprouts team in May 2023 as the Education Intern. As part of Avenue Scholars' Intern Omaha program, Andreya will be with us for a whole year! In addition to assisting with teaching classes, Andreya preps class materials, helps manage school gardens, and even jumps in with data entry and administrative work.

When she's not working, Andreya enjoys playing video games, hanging out with friends, and trying new hobbies. When asked about her career goals, Andreya's face lit up when she said, "I want to be a chef". Well, Miss Andreya, you are in the right place - we ♡ food!

our board of directors

Our Board of Directors consists of community volunteers, who help provide oversight and direction for City Sprouts.

board-photo-oct-2022_edited.png

City Sprouts Board

Back Row LTR: Katie Kresha (Executive Director, City Sprouts), Brandon Pappas, Cassie Goulet, Dan Walsh, Ryan Grieb, Kimbler Harrold; Front Row LTR: Vanessa Martinez-Hernandez, Octavia Butler, Jane Hartig, Courtney Herrington

Executive Board

LaLeesha Haynes, President

Honor, Senior Manager of Learning + Development

Courtney Scott, Vice President

Union Pacific, Manager of Marketing + Sales

Ryan Grieb, Treasurer

FNBO, Head of Deposits

Randy Vyhnalek, Secretary

Conagra Brands, Scrum Master

Board Members

Bob Wolfson

BWC Consultancy, Freelance

Brandon Pappas

Greater Omaha Chamber, Vice President of Marketing and Communication

Caitlin Ellis

Jackson Lewis, Attorney

Cassie Goulet

CHI Health, Senior HR Business Partner

Jane Hartig

Google, Data Center Contract + Financial Management

Kim Armstrong

Metropolitan Community College, Faculty

 

Kimbler Harrold

Embassy Suites, Executive Chef

Meghan Kallhoff

Staff Attorney, Koley Jessen P.C.

Vanessa Martinez-Hernandez

Mutual of Omaha, Social Impact Coordinator

Anti-Discrimination Policy

City Sprouts is committed to providing an environment free from all forms of discrimination and conduct considered harassing, coercive or disruptive, including sexual harassment. Actions, words, jokes or comments based on an individual’s sex, race, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, pregnancy, leave status, [mental, emotional, or physical] ability/disability, military status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic or status, will not be tolerated.

Board
kaylee-portrait-2023.JPG

Kaylee REynolds

She/Her

Education Programs Manager

Kaylee joined the City Sprouts team in September 2023. Since receiving a Bachelor's degree in Animal Ecology and Interpretation of Natural Resources from Iowa State University, she has been building up a wealth of knowledge in multiple environmental education positions. Kaylee has worked several jobs as a naturalist at different residential outdoor schools and county conservation agencies, has been an education facilitator for a state university, and most recently worked as a coordinator for a youth corps program. She brings lots of enthusiasm and fresh, new ideas with her and is excited to further the mission here at City Sprouts. In her free time, Kaylee likes to rock climb, hike, craft, cook, and spend time with her dog- Mowgli!

Contact Kaylee

laura-staff-pic_edited.jpg

Laura Simpson

She/They

Programs + Distribution Coordinator

Laura is an Omaha native, she grew up in the Keystone neighborhood of Northwest Omaha.

Laura graduated from MCC in 2013 with a degree in Business Management and Marketing, and from UNO in 2018 with a Bachelor's in Fine Arts - 3D Media. Over the past few years, she has worked with a local arts non-profit, BFF.

In 2018, Laura was a Resident Farmer at Big Muddy Urban Farm and in 2019, she completed the New Roots internship with The Big Garden. Laura joined the City Sprouts team in 2020. 

Contact Laura

IMG_3025.heic

Rocky Huibregtse

He/Him

Education Assistant

Rocky joined our year-round staff as the new Education Assistant in May 2023. A former City Sprouts Urban Farming Intern, Rocky has a wealth of knowledge in sustainable growing techniques. He will assist the Farm Crew in guiding the summer internship, as well as take lead in the classroom. When he's not working, Rocky enjoys spending time reading, baking goodies, and tending to his many chickens, turkeys and quail.

Contact Rocky

shannon-staff-pic_edited.jpg

Shannon Kyler

She/Her

North Programs Manager

Shannon joined the City Sprouts team in 2016. She manages our North Community Garden, coordinates volunteers for both sites, is an educator for Garden to Table, and is our resident Chicken Wranger and Beekeeper.  When she is not at City Sprouts she is attempting DIY home improvement projects and having dance parties with her kids.  

Contact Shannon

Kaylee
Intern
bottom of page