[Press Release] Plant It Forward Announces Five New Board Members
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2019
Plant It Forward Announces Five New Board Members
New members join the core group of founders
HOUSTON, TX. (February 1, 2019)
Plant It Forward is pleased to announce the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors, as well as the full slate of officers and board members for 2019. Joining the Board of Directors are Karina Amanullah, Abdi Rahman H. Hassan, Efrem Jernigan, Daniel Tristán, and Alyssa Weinstein-Sears. The new additions join founding and long-standing members Teresa O’Donnell, Jeri Wechsler, Ann McKenzie, and Pattie Barrett. The Board provides leadership for carrying out the organization’s mission of training and supporting refugees to operate urban farming businesses.
Jeri Wechsler, Interim Chair and Secretary. Jeri is a member of the law firm O’ConnorWechsler PLLC. She holds an LL.M. in Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Law from the University of Houston Law School and earned her J.D. from South Texas College of Law. She’s a fourth generation Gulf Coast native, originally from Louisiana, and, for a short period lived in New Jersey and New York City. Jeri moved to Houston over three decades ago and appreciates the diversity, cultural richness, great food and kind neighbors for which Houston is famous. In addition to throwing her support behind Plant It Forward, she supports causes that promote global access to clean water and the legal rights of migrants and immigrants. Her favorite PIFF crop is fresh summer tomatoes.
Ann McKenzie, Treasurer. Ann is an attorney, CPA, and the principal in the firm Ann M. McKenzie, PLLC. She earned her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center and her B.B.A. from Texas State University. She’s been in Houston for three decades, previously having braved the cold in Norway. She loves Houston’s diversity, friendliness, and restaurants. She is passionate about education and access to resources and support that allow one to live her healthy best life. Plant It Forward checks off several boxes in the form of causes that are important to her: refugees, the environment, empowerment, and access to healthy food. Her favorite PIFF crop is farm-fresh spinach.
Teresa O’Donnell, Co-Founder. Teresa is the founder and former President of Plant It Forward. She is a former Pediatric ICU nurse and co-founder of Bridgeway Software. She is interested in the concerns of the day and is involved in issues that range from underserved populations to the scenic beauty of Houston. Besides her work at Plant It Forward, is an ardent supporter of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program.
Karina Amanullah. Karina is a human resources professional who is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and a member of the HR Houston Association. She earned a B.A. from Southern Methodist University and an M.A. St. Mary’s University. She’s a Dallas-native and spent time in San Francisco before making her way to Houston several years ago. Her favorite thing about Houston is the food; so much diversity, so much flavor! In addition to Plant It Forward, Karina volunteers her expertise toward causes supporting child adoption and fostering and the prevention of child sexual abuse. Her favorite PIFF crop is also a favorite of many of our farmers: okra!
Pattie Barrett. Pattie is a speaker and retired speech pathologist with an M.S. and a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). She’s lived in Houston for four decades, with stints in Colorado, Arizona, Kansas, New York City, and Beirut. Her favorite thing about Houston is the friendly people. Along with supporting Plant It Forward, Pattie is involved in conservative and faith-based mentorship, education, and advocacy causes. Happiness for Pattie was hosting a farm share pick-up location at her home. Her favorite PIFF crop is “anything green!”
Abdi Rahman H. Hassan. Abdi is a counselor with Change HAPPENS! and possesses an M.P.A. from Texas Southern University. He’s originally from Hargiesa, Somaliland, and was resettled in Houston three decades ago. He speaks Somali and is a leader within the African diaspora community locally, supporting refugee resettlement causes. His absolute favorite thing about Houston is the food! His favorite PIFF crop is our crispy cabbage.
Efrem Jernigan. Efrem is an Air Force veteran who works for LyondellBasell Industries and also runs South Union Community Development Corporation. He’s Houston born and raised and loves that the city is so close to the coast so he can fish offshore. He’s also spent time in Louisiana and Germany, and he knows some Spanish and German. Efrem is passionate about STEM education for youth, gardening, and renewable energy. He dreams big and works hard towards making his dreams become realities. His favorite PIFF crop is corn.
Daniel Tristán. Dan is a finance lawyer with the law firm Baker Botts LLP. He was born on the island (BOI!) in Galveston and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. He earned an A.B. in Psychology from Harvard University and a J.D. from the University of California Berkeley School of Law. Prior to his return to the Gulf Coast over ten years ago, Dan practiced law in New York. He is a fluent Spanish speaker and loves hot peppers — Master Farmer Sarment’s medley hits the spot every time!
Alyssa Weinstein-Sears. Alyssa is a museum educator with the Holocaust Museum Houston. She earned a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from The Pennsylvania State University; a Certificate in Strategic Communication from the University of Texas, Austin; and is working toward an M.A. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Gratz College. She’s been in Houston for three years, getting here as fast as she could! In addition to Houston, she’s lived in Baltimore, Maryland and State College, Pennsylvania. She loves that there’s always something interesting to do in the Bayou City. Beyond Plant It Forward, Alyssa enjoys supporting the performing arts, her synagogue, Holocaust Museum Houston, and The Emery Weiner School. She finds it difficult to choose just one favorite PIFF crop, but spinach is at the top of the list.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Daniella Lewis
(713) 432-0754
daniella@plant-it-forward.org
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About Plant It Forward
Founded in 2011, Plant It Forward Farms is Houston-based a nonprofit organization that trains and supports former refugees to operate urban farming businesses. Plant It Forward builds a greener Houston by growing fresh, local, chemical-free vegetables and fruit; giving our farmers an opportunity to build a self-sustaining, free market enterprise in America for themselves and their families; and building our community by integrating our farms into neighborhoods. Our vision is a farm in every neighborhood, operated by people achieving the American Dream.
Connect with PIFF on social media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PlantItForwardFarms
Twitter: www.twitter.com/HoustonFarms
Instagram: www.instagram.com/plantitforward
