Meet the Team

  • Jacqueline Gauthier

    J-1 PROGRAMS, CREATIVE & ADMINISTRATION

    Jacqueline has a Masters of Science in Environmental Science, including a thesis project on modeling the chemistry of phosphates in agricultural soils. Her role working as an Environmental Consultant for four years led her to travel to closed mine sites across Canada to assess the soil and water quality. After moving to the Bay Area in 2016 from Guelph, Ontario she had a sabbatical while waiting for a green card petition to be granted; during this time Jacqueline first connected with MESA to volunteer, lending her administrative and graphic design skills. Jacqueline is an avid cyclist and can be found riding the roads and trails in the Berkeley/Oakland hills and beyond.

  • Emily Kuhn

    COMMUNICATIONS & PROGRAMS / COURSE INSTRUCTOR

    Em joined the MESA team in 2023, freshly invigorated by an agroecology exchange for her Fulbright research in Ecuador. After earning her Bachelors’ in Environmental Sociology and Spanish from Pitzer College, she spent a year working with Indigenous communities to record and reinforce the intergenerational transfer of cultural knowledge within the chakra (Kichwa food forest).

    Alongside her current role as MESA’s Communications and Programs Coordinator, Emily facilitates our newest Agroecology courses and works at Pitzer College’s Robert Redford Conservancy as the Farm Manager of Ecological Resources for the first Agrivoltaics Research in Southern California. Guided by the belief that fresh food is sacred, Em’s passion for MESA’s mission is deeply rooted in her own family’s migration stories, and her hope for the wellbeing of future generations.

  • Emily McGinty

    DEVELOPMENT LEAD

    Emily spent 13 seasons building program infrastructure, student engagement and community collaboration at the Duke Campus Farm in Durham, North Carolina. Since transitioning out of full-time farming and teaching, she has cultivated financial resources to support equity-centered sustainable agriculture programs while serving as Board Chair of the Partnership for Appalachian Girls' Education. Emily believes healthy soil and cross-cultural, multi-generational relationships are key ingredients to whole community health. She was raised in Mr. Rogers' (actual) neighborhood and now builds life in multiple communities across North Carolina.

  • Isabella Segarra

    SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING

    Isabella joins the MESA team with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from UC Merced. During her undergraduate studies, she gained valuable experience in research, working in various labs focused on soil science, as well as fungal and plant ecology. Isabella spent two years at the Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve, where she assisted the reserve director with public outreach, social media management, and various educational programs. This included contributing to the development of ¿field curious?, a field-immersion program, and a naturalist training course. Isabella was first introduced to MESA in 2021 when she completed the Training in Applied Agroecology certificate program where she became fascinated with sustainable agricultural systems and food sovereignty. Growing up in the Central Valley of California, she witnessed the negative effects of unsustainable agricultural practices near almond orchards. This has motivated her to pursue her passions for science and education, aiming to address the challenges in our unsustainable agricultural food system.

  • Claire Hambrick

    PARTNERSHIPS & OUTREACH

    Claire Hambrick is passionate about promoting climate action and building community through regenerative farming practices and systems thinking approaches. These interests first sparked on a biodynamic farm in Hawaii where she lived and worked, studying the fundamentals of soil science, composting systems, and impacts of the industrial food system on communities in Hawaii. From there, Claire travelled to Nicaragua to learn from folks at the Asociación de Trabajadores del Campo (rural workers association) and work on a women-owned and operated, agroecological coffee farm. These experiences informed her interest in global food systems and she is proud to be working on promoting global exchanges at MESA!

    Claire earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Conservation Resource Studies with a concentration in Community Nutrition and Agricultural Food Systems at UC Berkeley. Since then, Claire has earned a certification in Global Agroecology and finalized her Honors Thesis on the impacts of California’s Agriculture and Food Policy on Urban and Rural Communities.

  • Lauren Augusta

    FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    With a multicultural and multi-generational approach, Lauren has worked in the nonprofit and agricultural training sectors since 1985. As MESA's Founder and Executive Director, Lauren has demonstrated leadership in connecting and cultivating sustainable farmers and food systems leaders across the world. Under her guidance, MESA has facilitated impactful international training and cultural exchange programs, benefiting over 1000 exchange visitors from 51 nations, and over 300 U.S.-based partner farms and organizations. In 2014, Lauren spearheaded an award-winning online platform featuring self-paced, certificate courses in agroecology, organic seed production, and climate resilience. During the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, MESA partnered with mission-aligned nonprofits to adapt and launch USDA-funded projects, including the Agroecology, Farming and Food Pathways (AFFP) program, Training in Applied Agroecology Program (TAAP), Beekeeping Apprentice Program (BAP), and several Community Food Project initiatives, garnering recognition for fostering inclusive learning and advancing sustainable agricultural practices. With a career dedicated to global social and environmental development, Lauren's expertise lies in nonprofit management, program development, fundraising, and strategic partnerships, advocating for positive change through her work and affiliations.

MESA Ambassadors & Agroecology Instructors

  • Frida Endinjok

    AGROECOLOGY INSTRUCTOR

    Dr. Frida Endinjok serves as one of our agroecology instructors. She has taught and mentored emerging and current farmers, scholars, and advocates for more sustainable and equitable food systems. She joined the MESA team in 2020 as the Lead Instructor for CSUN-Institute for Sustainability’s first AFFP Cohort and then as our Fellowship Coordinator. Frida's education includes a Ph.D. and master's degree in public health with an emphasis on community health education and a bachelor’s in nutrition. Her experience includes developing and evaluating the “Let’s Grow Healthy” program that delivers hands-on garden-enhanced nutrition education at elementary schools in Los Angeles. Starting and coordinating an on-campus garden that offers gardening workshops, produce, and projects for the community. Starting and leading the Food Recovery Network chapter to divert edible food from the landfill to people experiencing food insecurity. Teaching and mentoring for over five years. Frida is always looking for opportunities to help others discover their passion and advocate for sustainable food systems.

  • Denà Brummer

    AGROECOLOGY INSTRUCTOR

    Dená Brummer, cook, food stylist, teacher and writer, epitomizes the modern chef. What ties these roles together, besides an immersion in the world of food, is her unyielding desire to educate and empower her community through health-focused cuisine. After a 15-year career in communications/marketing, she decided to take a detour into the world of food and enrolled at the Institute of Culinary Education to study Health Supportive Culinary Arts. Since 2018, she has been on a journey to combine her two passions - food and storytelling - with the intent of creating work that inspires, creates community, and raises cultural, social and environmental awareness. Today, she runs a teaching garden at the City of Hope and works as a private chef. When she is not consumed with all things food, you can find her gardening, hiking and exploring the world with her 15 year-old daughter.

  • Ray AL-Thour

    AMBASSADOR

    Ray Al-Thour is an environmental advocate, sustainability entrepreneur, and Earth Science student at San Francisco State University, focusing on Geology and Climate Change. As a MESA Ambassador, he promotes sustainability through initiatives like Earth Week 2025 and MESA’s Upcycling Event. Ray holds a Certificate in Beekeeping from MESA and EcoVillage Farm Learning Center. Ray has spoken at events like “Why Bees Are Important,” educating over 800 people on the vital role of pollinators. Raised in a geology-focused household, his passion for the environment was shaped early on.

    A member of the Geological Society of America and the Association of Environmental Professionals, Ray has led several environmental events, including MESA’s Agroecology Happy Hour. He’s also the author of an upcoming children's book series designed to inspire environmental stewardship.

    Ray advocates for building eco-conscious habits early in life and encourages entrepreneurs to integrate sustainability into their work.

  • Marcelita

    Marcelita Ponce de Leon

    SAGE REPRESENTATIVE / AMBASSADOR

    Marcelita serves as SAGE program representative for Latin America, and supports initiatives on the international mobility of professionals from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Her work focuses on capacity building, knowledge exchange, and promoting inclusive approaches to rural development, contributing to environmental sustainability and social equity across diverse contexts.

    An agricultural engineer with solid experience in rural and sustainable development project management, Marcelita is pursuing her Master’s degree in Project and Social Program Management. 

    Marcelit currently leads a regional biodiversity project in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, integrating a gender perspective, strengthening local capacities, and implementing context-specific solutions. 

  • Sri Sethuratnam

    AMBASSADOR

    Sridharan (Sri) Sethuratnam is the Ag. Operations and Programs Manager at the Center for Agroecology (UC Santa Cruz). In this role he manages the well known UCSC farm and the programming centered around the farm. Sri has worked in the beginning farmer training and support space in Ontario, Canada and California since 2008. He has helped set up and run incubator farms in both these places.

  • Sandra Figueroa

    SAGE REPRESENTATIVE/ STAR ALUMNA

    Five-times a MESA Steward (!), Sandra has a degree in Agronomy from Universidad San Agustin - Arequipa and a B.A. in Management from MIU City University Miami. Sandra’s U.S. programs spanning between 2006 to 2005, have supported her training in on-farm education, organic farming practices, farm business management, seed production, and English - Spanish translation in the Agricultural and Food Industry. Sandra is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Environmental Engineering.

  • Mayra Orellana-Powell

    AMBASSADOR

    In 2010, Mayra Orellana-Powell founded Catracha Coffee Company to connect small coffee producers in Santa Elena, Honduras, with national and international specialty coffee markets. Catracha Coffee reinvests in the community by sharing profits with farmers, providing technical assistance, promoting crop diversification, and supporting alternative income opportunities. In 2013, Mayra became Marketing Director for Royal Coffee in California, advocating for producers’ role in the global coffee industry. With friends, she co-founded Catracha Community, a nonprofit supporting youth, art, education, and livelihoods in Santa Elena. The initiative runs art, craft, and barista workshops, supports gardens and reforestation, and preserves cultural traditions like dance. After 17 years in the U.S., Mayra and her husband returned to Honduras in 2016 to expand these projects. In 2020, Forbes recognized Mayra as one of Central America’s 100 most powerful women.

  • Gerardo Martinez

    AMBASSADOR

    Not only a terrific MESA ambassador and SAGE Steward host, Gerardo also serves as Goodwill Ambassador for Regenerative Agriculture at the United Nations. In 2019 Gerardo had a crazy idea to buy a vacant lot in Edgewater that was overgrown and had become a town dumping spot and turn it into Wild Kid Acres, a thriving sustainable farm serving the local community.

  • Sarah Leslie

    AMBASSADOR / FORMER STAFF

    Sarah has a background in environmental sciences, sustainable agriculture, and community engagement. While earning a BA from Pitzer College in Claremont, CA, Sarah began to see how inextricably involved food and agriculture are in contributing to environmental and social catastrophes. She saw agriculture as being both the biggest culprit of harm and having the most potential for ensuing change. As Sarah’s interests in food systems deepened, she traveled to Costa Rica and Jamaica to learn traditional-natural medicine and beekeeping. She worked at numerous organic farms in both California and Colorado, ranging from inner-city urban gardens to rural-mountain ranches. Sarah has dedicated the past few years to learning traditional, agrarian practices, and helping farmers design sustainable and profitable systems that serve their communities.

    Sarah is passionate about educating and inspiring people to connect to their own, unique relationship with the earth. She studies and practices preserving traditional knowledge through seed saving and native ecosystem restoration. Sarah advocates for the blooming of countless community and cultural spaces where agriculture and food are at the center of connection and regeneration. She is a talented writer and community-builder and hopes to aid organizations and individuals in reaching their impact and financial goals.

Board of Directors

  • Susan Coss is a long time marketing and communications strategist in the sustainable food and beverage worlds. She is co­founder of North of the Border Adventures, a media, events and consulting firm. Previously, she was the Director of Marketing and PR for CUESA, the organization that runs the world famous Ferry Plaza Farmers market in San Francisco. She was also a co­founder and former director of the Eat Real Festival, an annual food event in Oakland and Los Angeles CA that drew more than 250,000 people in its first three years. She was also part of the team that brought national attention to the “food movement” through Slow Food Nation. She has spent time in Mexico since 2003 and has established relationships within the food world all over California and Mexico. She has a degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference

  • A former MESA Host, organic farmer, and sustainable development consultant, Scott has 32 years of organic agricultural production experience in the United States and Mexico. Scott’s recent project experience includes the restoration and development of an organic agricultural project and education program on a 250-acre historic farm owned by the County of San Diego. Scott designed and built a 15-acre organic farm supplying the boarding high school on site and selling to the Whole Foods stores of Southern California. Scott has served as an elected California Conservation official for the last 12 years managing a $ 3.5 million dollar annual budget for conservation projects in North San Diego County.

    Scott serves as the president of the South Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council which covers two-thirds of California’s population. He has worked extensively on conservation projects with the National Resource Conservation Service in California. He specializes in farmland preservation projects utilizing Smart Growth Principles.

  • Rachel is in her 7th season of farming and is a lover of soil, seeds, and all that blooms. She grew up spending weekends in the garden with her Father but got her start as a full-time farmer when she moved up to Mendocino County to work for Ecology Action. After several seasons at Ecology Action, she spent two seasons working for Open Circle Seeds, growing for commercial contracts as well as for their own small retail seed company. She enjoys growing vegetables, but growing flowers and crops for seed are her true passions.

  • Jorie Hanson has dedicated her entire career to the field of education, working with young people and adults from diverse cultural backgrounds. A particularly relevant experience to MESA was the 12 years she managed a small farm in Clayton, California. During this time, Jorie had the opportunity to host and mentor aspiring farmers from the local community and around the globe through programs like WWOOF and the MESA stewardship program. Her interest in local agriculture and its marketing remains strong. Beyond her hands-on engagement with young people and interns in California, Jorie holds a PhD in research and evaluation and has spent four decades in professional practice, spanning roles in both university and urban school district settings.

  • In Samuel’s words: “As a child of peasant farmers I was directly involved in gardening activities since my early childhood. My parents struggled to feed us and barely met the family basic needs due to meager income they got working as laborers in the neighboring large scale export coffee farms in Thika township Kenya. Things were not different in the other homes and there was rampant poverty in our community despite the hardworking nature of our people. This childhood experience prompted me to pursue a training in sustainable agriculture and after my graduation from Manor House Agriculture college, Kitale Kenya in 2001. I have never looked back and been a crusader of agroecology and sustainable food systems and social injustice in our local communities. I have been involved in grassroots community food sovereignty activities, social and food injustice and I have networks with Agroecology farmers and changemakers across the world, more so in Africa and the United States Of America. In 2016 MESA sponsored me to attend a 8 month stewardship at Ecology Action- Golden Rule Research farm Willits CA. I had an in-depth and hands-on experience on Grow Biointensive agriculture which is an organic agricultural system that focuses on achieving maximum yields from a minimum area of land, while simultaneously increasing biodiversity and sustaining the fertility of the soil. In 2020-2021 I joined the MESA NLP program. I acquired skills on organic produce sales, marketing, distribution, purchasing and advanced training in sustainable supply chain management. I had an opportunity to be enrolled in an introductory course on agroecology, urban gardening and other development skills. MESA’s AFFP course also covers understanding the intersections of environmental justice, food sovereignty. Currently I am the founder and working with CESBA-KENYA a Community Based Organization which we work with local small holder farmers goal is to address Kajiado and Nairobi county community food insecurity issues, rampant malnutrition among young children, brought about by poor farming practices, climate change and create more food sufficient and resilient households through economic strengthening strategies and sustainable ecological food raising systems.”