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Our Team

Our talented, passionate team believes that growing food changes lives. Together we've created thousands of gardens and taught hundreds of thousands of gardeners. And we're just getting started.

  • Hugo Matheson

    Co-Founder

  • Madeleine Nelson

    Vice President of Advancement

  • Kevin Spivey

    Vice President of Finance

  • Dianna Zeegers

    Vice President of Program

  • Kelsie Contreras

    Digital Marketing Coordinator

  • Marie Dennan

    Assistant Director of Programs

  • Sydney Futrell

    Director of Philanthropy

  • Megan Hale Hawkes

    Director of Marketing

  • Ava Jackson

    Director of Programmatic Operations

  • Sam Koentopp

    Director of Educational Programs

    Sam began his tenure with Big Green in 2013, supporting our efforts to build 200 Learning Gardens with Chicago Public Schools. Since then, he has played a key role in establishing and developing our programming to ensure all Big Green garden participants learn the skills needed to grow food and connect deeply with their gardens. Sam loves food, soil, and plants and believes in the interconnectedness of all living things that is so profoundly evident in a garden. He brings that passion to Big Green to inspire others to find their own pathways through the garden.

  • Jonathan Pavley

    National Garden and Product Manager

  • Parker Rechsteiner

    Assistant Director of Events

  • Laura Thompson

    Director of Strategic Alliances

  • Jasmine Trujillo

    Assistant Director of Finance and Grants

Board of Directors

Big Green's Governing Board provides the organization with broad expertise in education, entrepreneurship, nonprofit management, and programmatic impact.

  • Kimbal Musk

    The Kitchen Restaurant Group, Nova Sky Stories

  • Don Degnan

    The Kitchen Restaurant Group

  • Patrick Drake

    AUTONOME, Inc.

  • Dorsey Hopson

    Cigna

  • Wendy Lea

    Energize Colorado

  • Hugo Matheson

    The Kitchen Restaurant Group

  • Robin Martin

    National Wildlife Federation

  • Larry Mueller

    Cuvée

  • Michael Tang

    Tang Industries