Bob Amis, Board Chair, Teacher, City of the Lakes Waldorf School
A forty year resident of the Twin Cities, Mr. Amis graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1976. In the intervening period Bob has operated a small truck farm in Scott County, run an equipment leasing firm which he sold successfully in 2000, and is now a middle grades science teacher at the City of Lakes Waldorf School in Minneapolis. He and his wife live in Minneapolis where they raised their three children.
Josh Eifert, Board Treasurer, Controller, Tradition Capital Bank
Josh Eifert brings a strong financial background to YFMP with over 12 years of banking experience and a degree in finance from the University of Minnesota. He has served on the finance committee since 2007 and involves his organization, Tradition Capital Bank and Tradition Companies, in fundraising and volunteer events. Josh lives with his wife, Angela, in Savage.
Autumn Huiras, Senior Employment Counsel, General Mills
Before joining General Mills, Ms. Huiras was in private practice where she also focused on employment issues. During the past 12 years, Ms. Huiras volunteered for organizations that promote youth development and mentoring, provide services for persons with disabilities, and provide legal services for low income individuals. These organizations include Minnesota Justice Foundation, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Achieve! Minneapolis, metro area high schools, Clare Housing, University of St. Thomas School of Law, William Mitchell College of Law, and the Minneapolis Children’s Theatre Company. She is a contributing author to an American Bar Association publication about the unmet legal needs of children.
Mary Lee Vang, Adult Mental Rehabilitative Mental Health Servicer, Community-University Health Care Center/University of Minnesota
Mary Lee Vang started participating at YFMP at age 13 as a Youth Farm participant in 2000, then was a Project LEAD participant for 4 years, an Assistant Program Director while she attended college, and finally served as the West Side Program Director in 2006-2007. Ms. Vang, now 25, works with adults with mental illness on life skills training and carries a strong passion for helping people through her work and volunteer time. She lives with her husband and family in St. Paul.
Teal Bjoraker, Medtronic
Teal Bjoraker started his involvement with YFMP in 2008 by serving on the Fundraising Committee. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2006 with a degree in Neuroscience. Since graduating he has worked in the biomedical industry in the area of regulatory affairs. He is now pursuing a Masters degree at Johns Hopkins University.
Laura Zimmermann, Program Officer, The McKnight Foundation
As program officer for the arts, Ms. Zimmermann is responsible for grants to nonprofit organizations working in literary, visual and performing arts, and directs the foundation’s fellowship program for individual artists. She is actively involved in her school and neighborhood communities, and in the local food movement. Laura lives in south Minneapolis with her husband and children.
Jill Wroblewski, Nonin Medical, Inc.
Jill Wroblewski has been an active volunteer throughout her life, with special interest in projects with youth and activities for individuals with physical and mental disabilities. As a certified kayak instructor, she volunteers with organizations locally and regionally to promote safe and responsible sea kayaking in the upper Midwest. An adventurous cook and inconsistent gardener, Jill advocates the local and sustainable food movement. Jill has worked in medical research industry throughout her career, including pharmaceutical and device development work, and has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles.
Kristi Hamilton, En Root Marketing and Communications
Kristi Hamilton is the owner of Twin Cities-based En Root Marketing & Communications, focused on mission-driven organizations. Prior to starting her own company, Kristi had more than 15 years of marketing communications experience in retailing, consumer goods and print publishing. A long time volunteer for organizations focusing on the arts and youth development, relocating from Texas to Minnesota reconnected her with the real food roots she was raised on by her farming and gardening family. In the Twin Cities she has volunteered her time and expertise to events and organizations like Prairie Oaks Institute, Tour de Farm, and Real Food Minnesota. Kristi and her Golden Retriever, Luca, live in South Minneapolis.
Sharon Hannigan, J&J Distributing
Originally from Texas, Sharon is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. After living in Austin, moved to New York City to work for the Aveda for three years, which brought her to Minnesota. After working at a variety of different roles in Aveda, Horst, and finally Intelligent Nutrients, she brought her marketing expertise to her family business, J&J Distributing. Sharon has taken on a variety of roles at J&J, from Food Safety to assisting in opening their first retail location – The Produce Exchange in the Midtown Global Market. In addition to her work at J&J, Sharon is currently working on a project with Salty Tart Bakery.
Friends of the Youth Farm and Market Project Board
Lucia Watson, Lucia’s Restaurant and Wine Bar
Dale Riley, Fresh Seasons Market
Susan Doherty, Formerly with Achieve Minneapolis
Karen Lehman, Director, Fresh Taste Initiative
Eve Borenstein, BAM Law Office, LLC.
Maria McNamara, YFMP Parent
George Sand, English Language Academy
Beth Dooley, Independent Writing and Editing Professional
