Staff
As a nurse practitioner with over 25 years of nursing experience, Andrea Vettori has extensive experience working with vulnerable populations, in particular those struggling with homelessness.
Chinua Soiro, Volunteer Staff
Chinua is 26 and moved to Philadelphia at age 14. He attended Saul Agricultural High School where he acquired an abundance of useful skills that he uses to this day. He currently lives between Philadelphia and and West Palm Beach, Fl. Chinua is thankful to be a new member of the Sanctuary Farms Family.
Marni Fogelson, Development Manager
Marni Fogelson is Sanctuary Farm's development manager as well as a lifestyle writer, children’s book author, community volunteer, and literacy activist.
Jan Erikson, PhD, Volunteer Staff
Jan Erikson received a BS in environmental science and a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her postdoctoral studies in immunology at Stanford University.
Jane Seaburg, Volunteer Staff
Jane Seaberg joined Sanctuary Farm Philadelphia in September 2021 as a member of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps.
Daniel Friedberg, Volunteer Staff
Lester Cohen,MSN, CRNP, Volunteer Staff
Lester Cohen is a retired Family Nurse Practitioner with 40 years’ experience specializing in Geriatric and Internal Medicine.
Diane Zieg,
Volunteer Staff
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Diane is a life-long learner who has a passion for connecting with children and adults either in the classroom or over a bag of vegetables. Diane has taught children and teachers in school systems in Georgia and in the Germantown section of Philadelphia.
Jake, Sanctuary Farm Mascot
Jake has been a member of Sanctuary Farm since the beginning. He is a therapy dog whose main job is to sow seeds of fun wherever he goes. His specialty is playing ball with anyone and everyone, but he especially LOVES playing with the children. One of jobs is attracting children to the farm where they unwittingly begin to learn about where food comes from. He is loved by all.
Daniel Peterson, Staff
Daniel Fried-Petersen is a learning urban farmer/gardener, environmental consultant, and folk singer. While growing up in Philadelphia, he worked on organic farms in Maine and Massachustets during summers, and created a yard work business with a close friend.
Halle Watkin, Administrative Assistant
Halle is completing her Masters in Public Health at the University of Pennsylvania with a focus on Food Security and Social Indicators of Health.
JoAnn O'Connor, Book Keeper
Porter Bush, Volunteer Staff
Porter has worked for four decades in food service, managing restaurants and overseeing dining operations in schools and other culinary operations.
Ginny Witte, Volunteer Staff
Ginny spent a good part of her life working in rural areas of Colombia and Venezuela doing linguistic work. Since then she has worked in rural areas of the South, and then later as an educator.
Marie Kelly, Secretary, Volunteer Staff
Marie Kelly came to Sanctuary farm with a love and knowledge of growing plants and a passion for healthy locally grown food and is excited to share both of those interests with the people that Sanctuary Farm serves.
Pat Remeis,
Volunteer Staff
Pat joined Sanctuary Farms in December 2020 and it was a dream come true. Pat has always loved gardening and working with others. Her background as a nurse included several nursing and administrative positions at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for 38 years.
Andrea Vettori,MSN, CRNP,Executive Director
Meet Our Team
Board of Directors
Metty Vithayathil,
Chair
Metty has been with Sanctuary Farm since its inception, helping with the organization’s strategic planning during a period of rapid growth. She brings to the board two decades of experience working with legal and educational nonprofits in Pennsylvania.
Shivanee Raj,
Vice Chair
Shivanee was part of the team that help start the farm and continues to learn from and enjoy it every day. She comes from a background in Medicine and Education, so sees the benefits in so many ways.
Marie Kelly,
Secretary, Staff
Marie Kelly came to Sanctuary farm with a love and knowledge of growing plants and a passion for healthy locally grown food and is excited to share both of those interests with the people that Sanctuary Farm serves.
Diane Scutti,
Treasurer
Lester Cohen,
MSN, CRNP, Staff
Lester Cohen is a retired Family Nurse Practitioner with 40 years’ experience specializing in Geriatric and Internal Medicine.
Priscilla Bennett
Melissa Hamilton
Morris
Melissa earned a PhD in restoration ecology conducting research on the biodiversity of mycorrhizal fungi in the US and Mexico.
Mira Olson
Dr. Mira Olson is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering and Engineering, Leadership and Society at Drexel University.
Maria Termini Romano
Margie Winters
Jay Thayakaran
Jay has been "digging in" as a long time volunteer at Sanctuary Farms, often bringing his two teenage daughters to help as well. Jay brings to this position 30 years of experience in actuarial science, a drive to get the job done, and a desire to deliver access to resources to the local community.
Paul Justice
Paul was born in Philadelphia, and has grown up in the surrounding suburbs. Over the years, Paul has spent much of his time exploring and enjoying the community.
Rhonda Carter
Rhonda Carter is a psychiatric nurse practitioner who has worked for 25 years with those struggling to overcome homelessness.
Michelle Sipics
Michelle is an engineer and science writer. She joined Sanctuary Farm as a volunteer and, as a new member of the board, looks forward to furthering the Farm's mission of addressing health inequities -- while continuing to get her hands dirty on volunteer days!
Advisory Board
Roslyn Reddy
B'niyah Huffman
Aba Oyedi
Joyce Randell
Joyce Randel became involved with Sanctuary Farm through participating in our nutrition classes at the Steven Klein Wellness Center. She is an invested member of our community and is a huge advocate for at-risk youth, education, and sustainable farming practices!
Baron Wright
Joyce Randall
Tanisha Muse
Tanisha Muse lives in North West Philadelphia with her adult son. She has a passion for health care and food security which brings her to Sanctuary Farms. To unwind she enjoys knitting, crocheting and sewing.
Myra Freeman
Nabeelah Bey
Janon Murray
Janon learned about Sanctuary Farm through a friend and is an outgoing person who loves Community Outreach. Janon wants to work with Sanctuary Farm to continue giving away fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables to her community! She also hopes that Sanctuary Farm will remain an integral part of the community for years to come!
Rosalind Walker
Rosalind is an integral community member and loves the fresh fruits and vegetables at the farm stand. She also loves the friendliness of everyone at the farm and hopes our work at Sanctuary Farm can continue for many more years!