Dedicated Leadership

Alisha Burrell serves as the Farm Director for Paul Quinn College and brings to the Oregon Tilth Board of Directors a wealth of experience in education, school garden leadership, and curriculum development. Her skills and expertise align seamlessly with Oregon Tilth's mission, fostering a symbiotic relationship of mutual support and growth. Alisha is passionate about contributing her knowledge in educational initiatives to further the organization's shared values and objectives. Her commitment to the board is centered on enhancing community engagement in sustainable practices, thereby strengthening the impact and reach of Oregon Tilth.

Tina Cosentino brings 25 years of experience in environmental policy, procurement, and supply chain strategy. She grew up packing apricots to sell at her family’s retail market, “Cosentino’s” which was a successful family business in San Jose, California for over 55 years. She trained and assisted with the development of farmer field schools in Mexico and the northern sierras of Ecuador, where more than 2,000 farmers have transitioned their land to organic agriculture. At California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) she managed an organic marketing education program serving 2,400 certified organic farmers, ranchers, processors/handlers and retailers. Tina founded the Farmer Education Network (FEN), a network of CA farmer education organizations serving to build business and production skills among CA sustainable farmers. As Purchasing Manager at Veritable Vegetable – the oldest all organic produce wholesaler, she managed six full time buyers and developed numerous crop plans with growers to secure a competitive organic produce supply. Currently as the VP Supply Chain she manages the strategic sourcing and external co-manufacturing partners for Urban Remedy who promotes “food is healing” to people and the planet.

Deirdre Geddes brings deep experience in sales leadership, marketing strategy, and organic supply chain development to the Oregon Tilth Board of Directors. As Director of Sales and Marketing at Hummingbird Wholesale, she has played a key role in building programs that support regional organic farmers and expand organic agriculture across Oregon and beyond. Deirdre’s leadership is grounded in a strong commitment to sustainability, collaboration, and community. She has served as Board Secretary for the Oregon Farm to School Network and currently contributes to governance through Hummingbird’s Employee-Owned Purpose Trust Board. With decades of experience leading teams, managing budgets, and guiding strategic initiatives, Deirdre is dedicated to strengthening the resilience and long-term viability of the organic food system.

Stephanie Jerger brings extensive expertise in operations, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement to her role as Board President of the Oregon Tilth Board of Directors. As Vice President of Operations at the Organic Trade Association, she has spent over a decade advancing the growth and integrity of the organic sector while leading initiatives in financial management, human resources, and risk mitigation. Stephanie is deeply committed to building a more sustainable and accessible food system and is known for her ability to foster meaningful connections across diverse stakeholders. She currently serves on the boards of Organic Voices, Northeast SARE, and the Maryland Food Authority. Her collaborative approach and focus on identifying shared opportunities strengthen Oregon Tilth’s mission and support its continued growth and impact.

Marni Karlin brings extensive expertise in strategic thinking, organizational management, governance, advocacy, and policy to the Oregon Tilth Board of Directors. Her mission to build a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable food system has driven her work as an executive at the Organic Trade Association, a senior advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and as an advisor to organic stakeholders across the supply chain. Marni is passionate about fostering inclusivity, innovation, and community in advancing Oregon Tilth’s mission. Her experience managing million-dollar budgets, surpassing fundraising goals, and serving in leadership roles, including with the Jewish Farmer Network, strengthens her commitment to creating a brighter, more sustainable food future.

Channing Nesbitt, a Senior Analyst in Portfolio Development at Impact Fund for Salesforce Ventures, joins the Oregon Tilth Board of Directors with a rich background in technology and a profound commitment to sustainability. His expertise in data-driven decision-making and environmental stewardship aligns perfectly with Oregon Tilth's mission. Channing brings valuable leadership and collaboration skills, honed through diverse professional and community engagements, including fundraising initiatives. Eager to leverage his unique perspective, Channing is dedicated to supporting Oregon Tilth's transformative goals, contributing significantly to a healthier and more sustainable future.

TeKedra Pierre brings a dynamic blend of expertise in strategic communications, agricultural marketing, and organizational leadership to the Oregon Tilth Board of Directors. As Director of the Information, Impact, and Sustainability Center at Prairie View A&M University’s College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, she leads initiatives that advance agricultural literacy, innovation, and community engagement. With a background spanning education, healthcare administration, entrepreneurship, and experiential marketing, TeKedra is known for navigating complex systems and driving meaningful, purpose-driven impact. She is the founder of Agletics, an initiative focused on connecting agriculture and culture through sport, and holds a Doctorate in Organizational Change. Her experience in stakeholder engagement, fundraising, and fiscal oversight strengthens her commitment to advancing a more informed, equitable, and sustainable food system.

I am currently the founder, CEO and President of Re-Nuble and a board member of the NYC agriculture collective. As a founder of an agriculture technology company and agriculture input manufacturer we serve controlled environment growers throughout the U.S. and increasingly globally. As the founding board member of the NYC Agriculture collective, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of some of the largest indoor farms' growth, surrounding New York city, driven by the marketing, community building, and education the board helped create. It is an honor to have the opportunity to potentially serve in this position to help further the goals of Oregon Tilth and its members. working with the board and Oregon Tilth's members will help me understand the challenges often related to growth, supply chain logistics, and distribution that our industry so commonly absorbs as a burden. In turn, I hope that my professional background in information technology and financial services can serve as an asset to the board in accelerating its efficiency and ability to reach out to the greater community, strengthen its online presence and infrastructure, and expose the board to regulatory trends related to food production and cultivation given my company's global exposure to increased restrictions and mandates related to organic and sustainability grown produce. It is my goal to both learn from and contribute to the membership in ways that enhance the board web presence and information dissemination for all members. Thank you for the support shown during this process.

Aimee Simpson brings deep expertise in sustainability law, policy, and organic advocacy to the Oregon Tilth Board of Directors. As CEO and Founding Counsel of Sustainability Law & Strategies PLLC, she has spent nearly 15 years advancing environmentally sound and socially equitable practices through legal analysis, government affairs, and strategic leadership. Aimee has extensive experience working within the organic sector, including engagement with the National Organic Program and National Organic Standards Board, where she has helped shape policy and navigate complex regulatory frameworks. She is a co-founder of the Coalition for Organic and Regenerative Agriculture and has served on multiple boards and advisory bodies focused on agriculture, conservation, and community development. Aimee is passionate about strengthening Oregon Tilth’s mission while helping to expand its impact and relevance across the broader environmental and social landscape.