Adam is the Executive Director of Key Tech Labs, a local nonprofit that helps connect youth of color to STEAM learning opportunities and job training in underserved communities. He originally studied film and he is also a children’s book author. Adam has helped up bring a layer of high technology to our garden with the addition of solar power and our Solar Punk Festival. Adam is inspired by creating community green spaces that are also inclusive and educational.

Grace is the Executive Director and Co-founder of the Weed Warriors Nature Stewards and they have acted as our fiscal sponsor as we have developed the garden over the years. She leads volunteers to take care of the Native Plant Garden areas and helps us sort out our grants and nonprofit activities. She has served on boards of the County Noxious Weed Program, and environmental non-profits including the Washington Native Plant Society Central Puget Sound Chapter, Newcastle Trails, Newcastle Historical Society, West Seattle Timebank, and the Burien Arts Association. She is also on the Advisory Council for a homeless camp, Camp Second Chance, and Habitat Steward and team leader with the National Wildlife Federation. Her favorite relaxation-time is walking the beach with the wind in her hair and the sand in her toes.

Kevin is originally from Spokane, Washington. He earned BA’s in Spanish and Theater from Washington State University in 2008. He joined WSU’s Teaching Program earning his Master’s in 2010. Kevin began his career as a teacher in the Renton School District at Hazen High School, teaching Spanish and Leadership for five years. Kevin is now the Principal for New Start High School and our liaison with the Highline School District, helping to encourage student participation in the garden.

Kirsten Cooper grew up locally in Normandy Park and remained in the area where she is currently a resident of Burien. She graduated with an English degree from the University of Washington where she also enrolled in some horticulture classes. Kirsten is currently interested in permaculture and fruit tree grafting. In addition to gardening, she also enjoys reading, Pilates, and camping and hiking with family.

Maika studied at the UW and went on to work at Omnidian Solar. When Omnidian came to volunteer in the garden, she got to know us better and as a Burien resident, she loves to come help out in the garden and relax in its therapeutic “Zen” green space. While at the UW, she loved spending time in their Medicinal Herb Garden and you can find her now helping out with our events and volunteer groups.

John is a retired Veteran and local bakery delivery driver who loves to help student find healthy activities and learn new skills. He has passed on his handyman and gardening skills to our students as we’ve built out the garden over the years.

Ngam has been the Deputy Director for Partner in Employment, a nonprofit working to help immigrants and refugees find work and resources here in our area. With a long career in the local nonprofit world, she brings her fundraising skills to our team and helps us build capacity.

Taryn studied International Development and Linguistics in college and went on to get more degrees in nonprofit management, organizational communications, and teaching ESL. After a career as a landscape designer and general contractor, she turned her attention back to community food systems with the creation of the Shark Garden. She loves travel, food, languages, nature, and encouraging people to garden.

Tram was born in Vietnam and raised in Arkansas before leaving to go to art school in Ohio and then the UW here in Seattle for her Master’s degree. She eventually transitioned to the restaurant industry and has worked in several of Seattle’s top fine dining restaurants, including our partner restaurant, Eden Hill, where she is a manager. She started volunteering with us during the pandemic and her love of food and lifelong interest in gardening have flourished in the Shark Garden. You’ll find her on our harvest team and helping to coordinate guest chefs and our bake sale. She also helps tend the Eden Hill plots where they grow garnishes and herbs for the restaurant.