Looking to get in touch? For general inquiries, please email info@communitygrows.org. For more specific questions, please select the staff member that most closely matches your inquiry below.
Executive Director (she/her)
With over a decade of professional experience in the social services field, Claribette is deeply passionate about program development, research, and advocacy. She has made a significant impact on communities in both San Francisco and Boston. A true lifelong learner, Claribette holds Bachelor's degrees in Chemistry and U.S. History and a Master's in Industrial & Organizational Psychology. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Organizational Development & Change, driven by a desire to shape the future of workforce development and training for female leaders. When she's not leading strategic initiatives, her dedication and drive extend to her personal life, having recently completed the challenging San Francisco full marathon. She is excited to guide our agency's strategic planning and cultural initiatives, ensuring it remains a strong organization dedicated to the community and youth.
Contact Claribette for: Budgets, strategic plans, and fundraising
Deputy Director (she/her)
Vanessa is an educator, advocate, and lover of the outdoors. She has been working in the outdoor education sector since 2015. Over that time Vanessa has facilitated outdoor learning with youth ranging from Pre-K to High School, and has worked at both the Student Conservation Association and Education Outside. Her professional interests revolve around connecting BIPOC youth to nature, teaching youth how to grow and cook their own food, and the importance of making curriculum relevant to the communities she is in collaboration with.
Contact Vanessa for: Programming and garden maintenance
Communications & Development Manager (she/her)
Brittney is dedicated to public service and passionate about co-powering underserved and marginalized communities. In this role, Brittney leads outreach efforts, builds strategic partnerships, and develops initiatives that empower individuals to gain the skills and knowledge needed to advocate for themselves and drive positive change. With a focus on building relationships, she works to strengthen the connection between CommunityGrows staff, volunteers, and the communities they serve, ensuring programs are responsive and impactful.
Contact Brittney for: Volunteer opportunities, corporate and community partnerships
BEETs Program Coordinator (she/they)
Kailyne is an educator, advocate, and environmental steward with a passion for community connection through food and nature. She began her journey in food education with afterschool programs such as Foodwise Teens and Urban Sprouts, and her work has focused on fostering environmental justice and land stewardship. Over the years, Kailyne has contributed to conservation efforts with organizations like Sutro Stewards on Mount Sutro, Sisterhood Gardens protecting Pipevine Swallowtail habitats, and Hummingbird Farm restoring native riparian habitats and grasslands. Kailyne’s professional interests include uplifting San Francisco’s biodiversity, teaching youth about food justice, and creating opportunities for communities to connect with the natural world. When she’s not working, Kailyne enjoys traveling with loved ones, tidepooling, and exploring creative pursuits.
Contact Kailyne for: BEETs programming inquiries
Food & Garden Educator (she/her)
Naomi is a seasoned garden educator and San Francisco native who brings a wealth of experience from her work with the Mill Valley Children's Garden, Walker Creek Ranch, and adventures from Chilean Patagonia to Yosemite National Park. She believes that early and intimate experiences in nature are critical for future generations to feel empowered and hopeful about creating change. Naomi is thrilled to continue CommunityGrows' mission of cultivating healthy youth through garden education as the new Food and Garden Educator at the Chinese Immersion School at DeAvila Elementary.
Fun Fact: Naomi is passionate about emergency medicine and has been a Wilderness First Responder since 2018—she once relocated a first-time shoulder dislocation in the Yosemite Wilderness!
Food & Garden Educator (she/her)
Lucy is a Bay Area native with a background in Environmental Studies & Habitat Restoration from San Jose State. With three years of experience as an outdoor educator, she is excited to join the supportive CommunityGrows and Rosa Parks teams. She looks forward to teaching youth about healthy foods, gardening techniques, and various environmental topics. Fun Fact: Lucy is an avid rock climber, crocheter, knitter, forager, and adventurer. She loves solo travel—her last adventure was a month-long WWOOF volunteer experience in Portugal!
Food & Garden Educator (she/her)
My name is Nina (she/hers), and I’m so excited to be the Food & Garden Educator at Marshall Elementary School!
I decided to join CommunityGrows’ Garden Ed team because the work combines several values that are important to me, including access to green space and fresh produce. After exploring a range of jobs, including guiding boating trips, conducting vegetation monitoring, and creating monarch butterfly habitat, I realized that working with kids is what makes me feel the most inspired and fulfilled. School gardens are a special place because they can bring the natural world into a very urban space.
A fun fact about me is that I’m also a yoga teacher!
Advisory Board
Click here for more information on how you can join our advisory board.
CommunityGrows thrives thanks to the unwavering dedication of our staff, advisory team, volunteers, and many others. Their efforts are indispensable to our success.