Chris Burroughs is the green thumb behind the nonprofit. His goal is to teach students how to farm in harmony with nature, using organic practices to heal the environment. Chris is taking a unique approach to sustainable food systems through local farming and environmental conservations. He believes in helping rehabilitate the formerly incarcerated while helping to save us all from the collapse of commercial agriculture that has turned into a chemical frenzy.

Mr. Willson is the retired President & CEO of ITF Pharma, Inc., an affiliate of Italfarmaco, S.p.A., a family-owned pharmaceutical company with operations in over 40 countries around the world. He was previously one of the founders of Hsiri Therapeutics, a start-up developer of novel antibiotics based on discoveries from the laboratories of Dr. Marvin Miller at the University of Notre Dame and of Ranedis Therapeutics, another start-up developer of drugs for rare and neglected diseases. Mr. Willson remains non-executive Chair of both companies.

Mikiel Askia Toure has spent nearly 25 years in his career committed to the service in people’s personal and professional advancement, through the foundational work of I Am We. In 1997, Mikiel volunteered for 7 years with a non-profit that mentored high school students, and facilitated programs designed to address bias, bigotry and racism. Mikiel has owned the responsibility to empower others to think and feel positively, for clear effective planning and accurate navigation in life. 

Edward Pohlert is a lifetime educator spanning eight colleges and universities in California for the past 40 years. Edward has devoted his career to educational equity and inspiring students and their families to value education as a journey to self-empowerment. As a first-generation college student, he has attained educational success as a cultural psychologist utilizing his life narrative and community role models that always stressed authenticity before status. His commitment is to grow Garden 31's organizational resiliency and restorative justice focus

Ariel is a public health professional with expertise in equitable food systems. She has multiple years of experience working directly and behind the scenes on increasing access to healthy foods. She also has knowledge in public health’s relationship to active transportation, land use, and other development-related areas of concern. She has worked with a diverse array of community members, professionals, and government agencies and has an inherent commitment to improving public health, especially in underserved neighborhoods.

Academic and Equity counselor at MiraCosta College who works with marginalized populations to ensure access to and success in higher education. He is also a coordinator for the Umoja Program and a Regional Coordinator for the Statewide Umoja Community. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Counseling and Guidance from Point Loma Nazarene University and is passionate about cultivating equitable change in our communities.

Matthew is a self-described "transformed Juvenile lifer who made a lot of bad choices." Through his transformation journey, Michael became passionate about giving back to his community. He seeks to share what others have taught him in hopes it will create a safe place for others to heal. He enjoys engaging in restorative practices, transformation, and positive programming and is passionate about building better communities. Today, he sees the value in communities, humanity, and our world. 

Meet Yadira, a passionate advocate and dedicated professional with a Master's in Social Work. Currently serving as the Supervisor of Workforce Development at San Diego Workforce Partnership, Yadira brings a wealth of experience and empathy to her role, shaped by her unique journey, including over four years at a Federal Prison Camp. Her lived experience not only deepens her understanding of the challenges faced by those impacted by the justice system but also drives her commitment to creating meaningful change.
Since her release in July 2019, Yadira has become a vital asset to her community. Yadira's mission is clear: to use her life experiences as a tool for empowerment. She is dedicated to helping others navigate the difficult path of reintegration, offering support and guidance to individuals transitioning back into society. 

Jasmine is a recent graduate of Arizona State University where she studied Interdisciplinary Studies, Psychology, and Film & Media Studies. A performer at heart, Jasmine has been a part of the colorguard community for 14 years and has performed at world championships, Disneyland, the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, in films, and more. This love for performance led her to discover another passion for working with, educating, and uplifting children which she has been doing at Vista Murrieta High School as a colorguard coach for 8 years. Jasmine is excited to be a small part of Garden 31’s education of students and disadvantaged community members and to continue to explore social media and it’s impact on how we learn and perceive the world.