Our Team
Erika Allen
Founder & CEO
Erika Allen (she/her) is the founder and CEO for Urban Growers Collective; president of Green ERA Educational NFP; and co-owner of Green Era Sustainability Partners. Allen founded and served as the director of Growing Power – Chicago from 2002 to 2017. She co-founded the Chicago Food Policy Action Council; serves on the board of Grow Greater Englewood and Leadership Council for Growing Home; and is an advisor for the Community Food Navigator project. Allen was appointed to the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education (ICAE) from 2022-2024. The former Biden administration appointed Allen to the Farm Service Agency Committee for Illinois. She is also co-chair of the Food Equity Council for the City of Chicago.
Allen received her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her MA in Art Psychotherapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She uses her experience as a visual artist to support individuals and organizations in realizing their vision of social and economic changes. She is passionate about social justice and working with multicultural groups in the elimination of racism, related oppressions, and the root causes of poverty by integrating creative and therapeutic techniques alongside food security and community development.
Executive Assistance: execassistant@urbangrowerscollective.org
Lauralyn Clawson
Director of Operations
Lauralyn Clawson (she/her) received her B.A. from Penn State University in Environmental Science. Clawson’s expertise revolves around youth education, urban farming production, hoop house installation, and mushroom production. In addition to her work at UGC, she is an expert in compost policy and co-leads the Licensing and Animal Welfare working groups for the Chicago Food Policy Action Council. Clawson managed the Youth Corps Program for Growing Power Chicago and worked for the organization for 10 years prior to its closing in 2017.
Malcolm Evans
Director of Farming
Malcolm Evans (he/him) began as the production manager for Urban Growers Collective in 2017, and previously worked as the director of farming in program assistant at Growing Power, Inc. Evans began his farming career at the age of 9, when Growing Power installed the Chicago Lights Urban Farm and Community Garden in the Cabrini-Green neighborhood. While still in high school, he began the composting program at Growing Power Chicago, collecting compost from restaurants throughout the city after school and on weekends. Evans began working full-time with Growing Power after graduating from Wells High School, and has expertise in compost management, production, and produce sales.
Bri Mitchell
Director of People and Culture
Bri Mitchell is the Director of People & Culture at Urban Growers Collective, where she leads HR Operations, talent development, and organizational culture initiatives. With an extensive background in human resources and people operations, Bri has worked across higher education, ed tech, health advocacy, and more. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications & Black World Studies and a Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution. As a certified mediator in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Bri brings a deep commitment to conflict resolution and restorative justice in the workplace. Passionate about fostering safe and inclusive spaces, Bri believes that when people feel valued, heard, and empowered, they can achieve their fullest potential. With a strong focus on employee engagement, she strives to create an environment where individuals can thrive both personally and professionally. Outside of work, Bri enjoys singing, crocheting, and spending time with her family! Ask her about conflict resolution strategies, employee engagement, talent development, or the best crochet patterns!
Brandon Lov
Director of Development and Relations
Brandon Lov (he/him) started at Urban Growers Collective in the summer of 2018 as a seasonal urban agriculture intern. During his internship, he worked extensively at our farms, as well as helping with sales for the Fresh Moves Mobile Market and local farmers’ markets. Since then, Lov has led the fundraising team at Urban Growers Collective, from leading successful galas to stewarding the organization through the massive fundraising needs for emergency food relief in a global pandemic. He graduated from the University of Chicago in June 2019 with a degree in Public Policy and Environmental & Urban Studies.
Tyra Miller
Director of Finance
Tyra holds both a Bachelor's and Master's of Accountancy, bringing a diverse background in family office, public, and private accounting to their role at UGC. With a strong foundation in financial management, Tyra was drawn to UGC by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact not only at the organization but also within the broader Chicago community through the development of urban agriculture initiatives. At UGC, Tyra has been instrumental in providing sound financial statements, developing strategic concepts to further the mission, and scaling fundraising efforts. These challenges have been both rewarding and fulfilling, allowing Tyra to apply their expertise in a dynamic, purpose-driven environment. Their dedication to advancing the mission of UGC continues to drive both personal and professional growth.
Stephanie McKeiver Executive Assistant to the CEO
Born and raised in the Park Manor and Auburn Gresham communities in Chicago, Stephanie McKeiver (she/her) joined Urban Growers Collective in March 2024 as Executive Assistant to the CEO. With 30 years of experience offering administrative support to organizations that open doors for the underserved, she is passionate about helping others and strives to be a true partner to her colleagues. Stephanie holds a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University, and enjoys gazing at the stars, listening to all genres of music, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Anthony Fisher
Staff Grower in Training
Anthony Fisher (he/him) began farming at Growing Power Chicago at the Chicago Lights Farm in Cabrini Green in 2007. Anthony spent four years as a Youth Corps member learning all aspects of farming and working with the community through their community garden program. He returned to farming in 2022 as a seasonal grower.
Fisher is interested in learning the tricks of the trade regarding farming and where food comes from. He will pass this knowledge down to his kids because it’s a natural way of living and important knowledge for all people to have. Fisher’s biggest dream right now is to buy his own house and grow vegetables and herbs in his backyard.
In his free time, Fisher enjoys watching sports and going to Dave and Buster’s with his kids.
Rev. Kim Crutcher
Lead Conductor, Herbalism Apprenticeship Program
Reverend Kim Crutcher brings a lifetime of passion and curiosity about plants, nature and the impulse to heal to her role as lead conductor for Urban Growers Collective’s Herbal Apprenticeship program. An Interfaith Minister, educator and licensed mental health counselor (MAPC, LCPC), Crutcher uses the term ‘Conductor’ as a reminder to support and guide apprentices and community members in their personal journeys with herbalism. For more than 20 years, she has shared insight and the creative process as an artist and as a folk healer with those seeking change on multiple levels. Crutcher uses evidence-based therapies, a trauma-informed approach, and culturally sensitive frameworks to offer supportive care for individuals, groups, organizations, and communities. Crutcher discovered her first herbalism book on her Mama Alice’s bookshelf as a kid growing up in rural Tennessee. Since then, she has studied plant traditions from multiple perspectives with many wise teachers ; and she shares the knowledge gained as a community herbalist. She brings over 30 years as a student herbalist to a practice of holistic change-making that privileges liberation, play, investigative urges, gift making, and responsiveness. She’s so glad that the Mysterious Mycelial System that makes things grow with health in unexpected places led her to join the UGC team.
Siobhan Beal
Harvest & Market Distribution Coordinator
Siobhan Beal (she/her) is on the farm/harvest team with Urban Growers Collective. She got her BA in Environmental Studies from Earlham College. She started with Growing Power as an intern and apprentice over the summers of 2012 and 2013. After graduation, she began working full-time with Growing Power farming and working as the education teacher at the pre-school farm. Beal was bitten by the travel bug, and in 2017 left to travel to New Zealand and Australia, working in vineyards, dairy farms, and other odd jobs. She was enthusiastically welcomed back to UGC in 2020, and was ready to get her hands back in the soil and take care of our cute goats!
In her free time, she loves experimenting and learning new cooking, pickling, and baking recipes. Beal also loves climbing, playing with her family’s corgi, and a solid hammock nap.
Keani Staton
Community & Volunteer Coordinator
Keani Staton (she/they) was raised on the South Side of Chicago, and is passionate about working to educate and empower community members with tools to dismantle systems of oppression. Staton believes that when communities share the burden of getting people’s needs met, we can create a world where everyone has access to land; shelter; fresh food and water; and joy.
Staton graduated from Vanderbilt University in June 2021 with a degree in Secondary Education and English Literature, and has worked in the education and nonprofit field to support marginalized youth and underrepresented communities in Chicago. During the summer of 2023, Staton joined Urban Growers Collective as a general farm intern. Since then, they have focused on applying their passions to urban agriculture to build self-sufficient and resilient communities through a relationship with the land.
In their free time, Staton can be found pulling up people’s astrology charts, baking, singing around the farm, or creating through various art forms.
Darion Crawford
Urban Farmer & Compost Coordinator
Darion Crawford (he/him) has been farming since he was 16. He began his journey with agriculture at Marshall High School in Chicago, where he studied farming, and was chosen to be one of the first 15 year-round students of the Growing Power Chicago Youth Corps in 2006. After graduation, Crawford began working with Growing Power Chicago as a youth corps and adult-job training instructor. Crawford also led workshops nationally for Growing Power in hoop-house and aquaponics construction, as well as large-scale composting.
Crawford left Growing Power in 2014 to manage for Home Depot in Chicago, where he picked up valuable skills in team leadership and development, as well as honing his wise-cracking wit much to the delight of the co-founders (and his original youth corps instructors) at UGC.
Crawford began work with Urban Growers Collective in March, 2020. At UGC, he has taught youth at the Roosevelt Square Youth Farm, as well as assisted with the READI and Grounds for Peace program.
Derrick Patrick
Fresh Moves Mobile Market Purchasing Coordinator
Derrick Patrick (he/him) is the Fresh Moves Mobile Market Purchasing Coordinator for Urban Growers Collective. His background is in community engagement and cannabis advocacy. Patrick received his B.S. in Marketing with a focus on Communications and Finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago. As a former Division I baseball player and home cook, from the West Side of Chicago (Austin), Patrick brings an energy and passion for a health conscious diet and a lifestyle that fosters holistic health. He intends to be a key player in food justice and urban agriculture throughout Chicagoland for the betterment of communities in most need.
Tem Jones
Fresh Moves Mobile Market Sales Associate
Paige Tobin-Lundy
Education Program Manager
Paige Tobin (she/her) received her BA in Anthropology/Sociology and Critical Ethnic Studies from Kalamazoo College. She is originally from Battle Creek, MI and has lived and worked in Chicago since 2019.
Tobin enters this work with reverence for community, storytelling, and our shared connection to the land. She uses her background in informal education and program coordination to support the power of informal, collective education among youth and community members as a part of the Farm Program Team.
In her free time, you can find Tobin in her backyard garden tending her tomatoes, playing Ultimate Frisbee, or reading a book. Come by the South Chicago Farm anytime to say hi!
Gina Santana
Farm Administrator
Erika Gonzalez-Guzman
Youth Instructor and Grower
Born and raised in Mexico City, Ericka Gonzalez-Guzman (She/Her) is a young Latina immigrant who is passionate about the environment and food justice. As an organizer, she has worked to promote water accessibility and fight for cleaner air quality in the Southwest Suburbs. She is a lifelong learner who believes mistakes can be your most valuable lessons.
Gonzalez-Guzman earned her BA in Environmental Science at Loyola University with a focus on Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture. As a student, she worked as the Lead Program Assistant for Loyola's Urban Agriculture Program. There, she guided indoor and outdoor production of vegetables, mushrooms, aquaponics/hydroponics systems, managed farmers' market logistics, and served as a passionate mentor for other students. She received Loyola's School of Environmental Sustainability's Wangari Muta Maathai Award for exceptional service and dedication to sustainability and social justice.
Currently serving as a Youth Corps Farm Educator at UGC's South Chicago Farm, Gonzalez-Guzman is dedicated to sharing her knowledge of indigenous agricultural practices, building community, and advocating for social and environmental justice with the next generation of youth.
Gabriel Macias
Staff Grower in Training
Gabe Macias (he/him) was raised right here in South Chicago. He first began farming with Urban Growers Collective when he participated in the Youth Corps Program. After graduation, Macias took a year off of farming and returned as a seasonal worker to further his agricultural knowledge, and find tangible ways to support his community.
Macias is passionate about teaching people about the food and herbs UGC grows, the power of nature, and healthy eating. He also stewards the livestock on the farm, and thinks it’s exciting to teach people about our unique farm culture.
In his free time, Macias enjoys listening to Juice WRLD while playing video games, studying biology, and being taught by his wise coworkers.
Stella McKearn Senior Grant Writer
Stella McKearn (she/her) is excited to be joining the UGC team as the Senior Grant Writer on the Development team. Born and raised in Rogers Park, she is passionate about using her 10+ years of fundraising experience to support urban agriculture initiatives in Chicago. A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Stella started growing food in 2019, and soon completed the Stateline Farm Beginnings Program at the Angelic Organics Learning Center, as well as the Master Urban Farmer Training Program through Illinois Extension. In her free time she enjoys taking her corgi to the lake, working on DIY home-improvement projects with her family, and growing botanical dye plants to use in her quilting practice.
Matt Bourne Bookkeeper
Israel Muñoz Online Community Manager
Israel Muñoz Mireles is a proud Mexican immigrant, relentless learner, and reluctant marathoner. He has held a wide variety of roles in his professional career, but has found his passion in non-profit and community work. Most recently, he supported the immigrant community in Marshall Square as part of Latinos Progresando. Israel is devoted to fighting for a more just society, and believes there is untapped potential for technology to work for the people rather than for profit; he is excited to be a part of that work at the Community Food Navigator and Urban Growers Collective. When not working, you can find him scouring his local record store looking for a hidden gem, or running with his friends at the 606
Sydney Coyle Communications & Engagement Manager
Sydney Coyle is passionate about holding spaces for deep listening, care, and communal growth. At DePaul University (BA&MA), she spent her time immersed in movement building, environmental justice, and food justice studies. She comes to the Navigator an experienced event planner and curriculum developer from years mobilizing with youth and families at The Honeycomb Project. Sydney deepened her relationship with Chicago’s food ecosystem through work mapping Chicago’s 300 mile radius food-shed with MCERF, supporting the organization of the Chicago Food Justice Summit as a Summit Leader with CFPAC, and learning to grow with Gary Comer Youth Center. Sydney finds joy with her hands in the soil, learning to roller skate, and cooking with friends.
Wyatt Dozier RCPP Technical Service Coordinator
Coming from a rural Illinois upbringing, Wyatt brings a passion for agricultural sustainability, conservation, and stewardship to the team. With experience in the Ag tech industry, as well as time spent with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Wyatt aims to apply the knowledge gained in those spheres in an effort to benefit those within Chicago’s food ecosystem. Outside of his work with Community Food Navigator, you can find Wyatt engaging with the local arts scene, playing bass and tuba with various bands throughout the city and suburbs, or in the crowd at another local band’s show.
Maimuna Touray
RCPP Technical Service Coordinator
Maimuna Touray is a Scorpio, multimodal artist, disabled farmer, researcher, bug-lover, and a forever learning educator. He has spent the last six years learning extensively about food justice, farming, and herbalism, from his home in LA to as far as Malawi. His love for food, community, education, and farming were seeds planted by their grandma. At a very young age, they learned from their mother and grandmother how to be an architect of abundant worlds. It was always his community, pooling resources, joy, and love, that provided a safety net. This duality between resource apartheid and “spirit richness” taught him that being at the center of a matrix of oppressions is impossible without stewarding deep relationships with your people, Spirit, and Land. Maimuna is a visionary, forever shaping and being shaped by change.
Raven Brown Green Era Community Coordinator
Josh Campbell Full Stack Developer
Joshua Campbell is an experienced software developer driven to understand complex systems of all types. He has hands-on experience with every aspect of building and maintaining modern software applications as well as passing familiarity with gardening, animal husbandry, and haymaking. In his spare time, he enjoys cycling and rock climbing.
Travis Kaelin Grant Writer
With a passion for history, advocacy and education, Travis was inspired to join UGC in search of an opportunity to engage with his new Chicago home and to plant roots within the community that welcomed him in 2023. UGC's mission represents a shared passion for helping others and my unique background provides skills that he hopes to apply at UGC.
Saaleha Johnson
Admin Coordinator
Saaleha Johnson (they/them) is the admin coordinator for UGC. They were raised on the Southside of Chicago, where their love of community organizing developed. Saaleha studied Political Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. They are a fiber artist, and love to crochet garments and accessories. In their free time, Johnson serve as the outreach coordinator for The Reservoir Collective, a mutual aid collective made by and for Black artists.
Baby Dubose-Carlson Farm Educator and Grower
Born and raised on the west side of Chicago, Baby grew up attending community youth art programs run by their mother, and spent summers learning about environmental stewardship and gardening in Michigan. Baby is an artist at heart, and has 7 years experience in tattooing and illustration. They love to bring these experiences to their role as a Farm Educator, incorporating natural art projects into the youth programs they run at Roosevelt, Educare, and South Chicago. As an educator, Baby strives to provide a nurturing environment in which youth can stay curious and discover their autonomy when it comes to the food systems they exist in.