Meet Our Team
We are farmers, growers, and healthy food advocates with a passion for our community
Executive Staff

Ali Jacobs (they/them)
Co-Executive Director
Originally from Springfield, MA, Ali has been an operations and project manager for over a decade. They started their career in agriculture in New York City where they lived for many years and helped found and develop community gardens, urban farms, and other food justice projects.

Courtney McSparron (she/her)
Co-Executive Director
Courtney moved to Lowell in 2020 and immediately felt at home. This led her to seek an organization within her new hometown doing social justice and education work. Courtney has experience as a tutor, teacher, non-profit vendor, and administrator in public schools. She most recently served as Director of Programs at a non-profit offering subsidized housing along with coaching and educational support. She passionately believes that learning happens where people feel safe and accepted and is glad to be part of Mill City Grows’ creation of those spaces all over Lowell.

Enrique Vargas (he/him)
Associate Director

Solimar Berrios (she/her)
Head of Office Operations
Food Access Staff

Grace McKay (she/her)
Market Manager

Ted Hamm (he/him)
Urban Farm Manager

Kay Cardenas (she/her)
Food Access Coordinator
Education Staff

Daphnne Ekmanis (she/her)
School Education Manager

Savannah Marshall (she/her)
School Education Coordinator

James Tierney (he/him)
Food Is Medicine Manager

Loubna Belamar (she/her)
CSA Delivery Driver

Lauren Keisling (they/she)
CSA Delivery Driver
Community Programs Staff

Trang Dong (she/her)
Community Gardens Manager

Chaya Sophon (he/him)
Community Gardens Assistant Manager
Development Staff

Kerri Keeler (she/her)
Development Manager

Rebecca Ludvino (she/her)
Institutional Giving Manager

Suzzanne Cromwell (she/her)
Marketing & Publicity Coordinator

Mill City Grows Co-Founders
Francey Slater and Lydia Sisson

Francey Slater
Co-Founder
Francey is a seasoned educator and gardener who focused on garden education program development; designing, building and coordinating physical gardens; cultivating volunteer participation; and establishing partnerships to leverage resources to support community health and wellness.

Lydia Sisson
Co-Founder
Lydia is an experienced commercial farmer and small business owner, and holds a Masters degree in Economic and Social Development of Regions. Before starting Mill City Grows, Lydia ran a CSA farm for 4 years.
Mill City Grows Board of Directors
President • Emma Campbell
Interim Vice President • John Wooding
Treasurer • Sue Andrews
Clerk • Elizabeth Campbell
Robert Boley
Amparo Hernandez-Folch
Diego Leonardo
Andrew McNaught
Jack Moynihan
Jen Myers
Vannak Theng