Teachers and principals
started using it to raise money
for school gardens…
WHO WE ARE
Green Our Planet brings the power of growing, nurturing, and harvesting a garden back into daily life, where people learn, work, and live.
In Their Own Words
Co-founders Ciara Byrne and Kim MacQuarrie share Green Our Planet's inspiring origin story in their own words.
They asked one of the world’s great conservationists how to protect the planet. His answer changed their lives.
In 2013, filmmakers Ciara Byrne and Kim MacQuarrie were in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley filming with renowned conservationist Dr. Richard Leakey.
Surrounded by one of the most extraordinary landscapes on Earth, they asked him a simple question: What can we do to help protect the planet? His answer changed the direction of their lives.
Dr. Leakey said that people will protect the planet when they are connected to it, when they fall in love with it. The problem, he explained, was that humanity had become disconnected from the planet and from an essential part of who we are.
Ciara and Kim returned to Las Vegas determined to turn that idea into action. They began by creating a crowdfunding platform for environmental projects called Green Our Planet. Then something unexpected happened...
A few school
gardens became
several…
Several gardens
became dozens…
Gardens grew into
hydroponics
laboratories…
Lessons grew into
a digital learning
platform
Students began selling
what they grew at
student farmers
markets, becoming
young “farmpreneurs.”
Gardening programs expanded into workplaces, homes, and
communities in almost every U.S. state and 4 countries,
impacting over half a million people.
Meet the People Behind
Green Our Planet
Our team of two dozen staff, farmers, and gardeners is guided by a board of directors whose experience spans sustainability, education, law, business, and community leadership.
Ciara Byrne | The Builder
CEO & Co-Founder
Ciara Byrne | The Builder
CEO & Co-Founder
Ciara has spent her career turning ideas into experiences that inspire people to see the world differently and reconnect with nature.
Read moreAaliyah DiMarco
Outdoor Garden Specialist
Aaliyah DiMarco
Outdoor Garden Specialist
Aaliyah DiMarco serves as an Outdoor Garden Specialist at Green Our Planet, working within the School Success and Garden Success Pods. Based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, she initially started as a farmer before advancing into her specialist role. In her day-to-day work, she delivers outdoor...
Read moreAndrea Martinez
Finance Manager
Andrea Martinez
Finance Manager
Andrea Martinez joined Green Our Planet in 2022 as Finance Manager in Las Vegas, Nevada. Serving across the Financial Stewardship Pod, Pollinator Pod, and Stewards Circle, she oversees organizational financials, including budgets, revenue, and expenses, while acting as a liaison with the board. Her...
Read moreCorinne Spitzer
Director of Sponsor Relations & Events
Corinne Spitzer
Director of Sponsor Relations & Events
Corinne Spitzer Browne is the Director of Sponsor Relations & Events at Green Our Planet and a member of the Pollinator and School Success Pods. After starting as a contractor in 2023 in Las Vegas, she relocated to Durham, North Carolina, for her husband’s...
Read moreDiamond Brown
Senior HR Coordinator
Diamond Brown
Senior HR Coordinator
Diamond Brown joined Green Our Planet in 2024 as Senior HR Coordinator, contributing to the People & Culture Pod, the Warehouse & CG Ops Pod, and the Stewards Circle. In her day-to-day work, she leads People & Culture by managing the full employee lifecycle,...
Read moreGaby Prato
School Program Engagement Strategist
Gaby Prato
School Program Engagement Strategist
Gaby Prato joined Green Our Planet in 2019 and serves as the School Engagement and Event Manager across the School Success, Garden Success, and Warehouse and CG Ops Pods. In her role, she supports schools through program engagement, coaching, event logistics, and communications. She...
Read moreJacob Ginn
Senior Coordinator of Hydroponics, Gardens, and Logistics
Jacob Ginn
Senior Coordinator of Hydroponics, Gardens, and Logistics
Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jacob Ginn joined Green Our Planet in 2022 and is the Senior Coordinator of Hydroponics, Gardens, and Logistics. Working across the School Success, Community & Workplace Success, and Warehouse & CG Ops Pods, he provides technical expertise, onboarding, and...
Read moreJessica Melendez
School Experience Lead
Jessica Melendez
School Experience Lead
Jessica Melendez joined Green Our Planet in 2017 and serves as the School Experience Lead. She leads the School Success, Garden Success, and Warehouse and CG Ops pods, while also contributing to the Financial Stewardship Pod, People and Culture Pod, and Stewards Circle. Her...
Read moreJim Scrogum
Seasonal Planning Lead
Jim Scrogum
Seasonal Planning Lead
Jim Scrogum serves as the Seasonal Planning Lead and Farmer in the Garden Success Pod at Green Our Planet. In his day-to-day role, Jim focuses on plant research for regional hardiness zones and handles seed selection. He is currently building a comprehensive seasonal calendar...
Read moreJoey Rivela
Compassionate Gardens Farmer Lead
Joey Rivela
Compassionate Gardens Farmer Lead
Joey Rivela joined the Green Our Planet team in 2024 as a School Farmer, working across both the Garden Success Pod and the Warehouse & CG Ops Pod. In this role, Joey handles daily farming responsibilities and garden maintenance to actively support the Compassionate...
Read moreJosh Kaplan
Dev Lead
Josh Kaplan
Dev Lead
Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, Josh Kaplan joined Green Our Planet in 2023 as Dev Lead, contributing across the Storytelling Pod and Digital Solutions Pod. His role encompasses backend development, frontend engineering, and DevOps across every avenue of the organization's work. In his daily...
Read moreKat Ollivier
Community Nutrition & Programs Lead
Kat Ollivier
Community Nutrition & Programs Lead
Kat Ollivier is the Community Nutrition & Programs Lead for Green Our Planet in Las Vegas, Nevada, starting in 2026. She works to launch the Compassionate Gardens headquarters as an impactful community hub. Collaborating across the Warehouse & CG Ops, Community & Workplace Success,...
Read moreKatie Adamson
Community & Workplaces Liaison
Katie Adamson
Community & Workplaces Liaison
Katie Adamson serves as the Community & Workplaces Program Manager at Green Our Planet, working from Salt Lake City, Utah. In her day-to-day role, Katie develops and implements Green Our Planet Community and Workplace Hydroponics Programs, partnering with organizations such as WIC, Emeril Lagasse,...
Read moreMadelynn Sneed
CRM Development & Automation
Madelynn Sneed
CRM Development & Automation
Based in Missouri, Madelynn Sneed joined Green Our Planet in 2022, focusing on CRM Development & Automation. In this role, she is dedicated to developing and implementing CRM automations and systems while passionately serving her team. Her daily responsibilities span multiple teams, including the...
Read moreMarti Walker
Design / Brand Lead
Marti Walker
Design / Brand Lead
Based in northern California, Marti Walker joined Green Our Planet in 2025 as UX design / brand lead. Marti is a strategy-focused user experience designer with a decade of experience as a marketing creative helping private equity boutiques craft impactful narratives to raise capital...
Read moreNathan Price
Hydroponics Technician
Nathan Price
Hydroponics Technician
Nathan Price joined Green Our Planet in 2024 as a Hydroponics Technician across the Warehouse & CG Ops and Community & Workplace Success Pods. Having worked with plants for most of his adult life, Nathan focuses on implementing large-system workplace hydroponics programs, delivering community...
Read moreNehemia Prophett
Senior Gardener Garden Quality & Systems Lead
Nehemia Prophett
Senior Gardener Garden Quality & Systems Lead
Nehemia joined Green Our Planet in 2024 as the Senior Gardener Garden Quality & Systems Lead within the Garden Success Pod. In his daily work, he visits CCSD schools to tend garden learning sites and orchards, engage directly with students and teachers, and assist...
Read moreRachel Russell
Farmer - Operations and Logistics Lead, CG Garden Maintenance
Rachel Russell
Farmer - Operations and Logistics Lead, CG Garden Maintenance
Rachel Russell joined Green Our Planet in 2025 as a Farmer, later taking on responsibilities as Operations and Logistics Lead and CG Garden Maintenance within the Garden Success and Warehouse & CG Ops Pods. She maintains a portfolio of school gardens, ensuring spaces are...
Read moreSamantha West
Portal Manager
Samantha West
Portal Manager
Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Sam West joined Green Our Planet in 2018 and serves as Portal Manager and Digital Solutions Pod Lead. Working across the Storytelling Pod, School Success Pod, and Stewards Circle, she directs the GROW Portal platform for teachers engaging...
Read moreSara Worrell
Training, Onboarding & Standards Lead
Sara Worrell
Training, Onboarding & Standards Lead
Sara Worrell joined Green Our Planet in 2025 as the Training, Onboarding & Standards Lead, working as a farmer within the Garden Success Pod. In her day-to-day work, she seeds beds, harvests crops, leads garden clean-up efforts, and handles irrigation troubleshooting across school properties....
Read moreSloan
Social Media Lead
Sloan
Social Media Lead
Hi, I'm Sloan! A storyteller and content creator who turns the meaningful work happening across Green Our Planet into engaging stories shared across social media. From filming and editing in Canva & CapCut to connecting with teams across the organization, I collect stories, understand...
Read moreUlises Cabrera
Irrigation & Maintenance Lead
Ulises Cabrera
Irrigation & Maintenance Lead
Ulises Cabrera joined Green Our Planet in 2024 and his role is Irrigation & Maintenance Lead within the Garden Success Pod. In this role, he maintains and improves school gardens by troubleshooting watering issues, installing and replacing irrigation components, and performing necessary system repairs....
Read moreCiara Byrne | The Builder
CEO & Co-Founder
Ciara Byrne | The Builder
CEO & Co-Founder
Ciara has spent her career turning ideas into experiences that inspire people to see the world differently and reconnect with nature.
Read moreKim Macquarrie | The Storyteller
Co-Founder
Kim Macquarrie | The Storyteller
Co-Founder
Kim helps turn bold ideas into practical programs that connect schools, workplaces, and communities with growing food.
Read moreMark Rowland | Chief Pollinator
Head of Revenue
Mark Rowland | Chief Pollinator
Head of Revenue
Mark supports the Green Our Planet community with pollinator expertise and a joyful commitment to healthier habitats.
Read moreDr. Gard Jameson
Director
Dr. Gard Jameson
Director
Professor of philosophy at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; 25 years as a CPA and financial planner; co-founder of the Charter for Compassion; co-founder of Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada.
Read moreEmily Ellis
Director
Emily Ellis
Director
Shareholder at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck; commercial and intellectual property litigator with a focus on client advocacy; has litigated before the U.S. and Nevada Supreme Courts
Read moreJoseph Ganley
Director
Joseph Ganley
Director
Senior business and commercial litigation partner with Hutchison & Steffen; AV-rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell® with 30+ years at the firm.
Read moreBrian Kunec
Director
Brian Kunec
Director
EVP Homebuilding, KB Home; 2+ decades experience in homebuilding operations and business strategy; formerly with Deloitte in client services, including public accounting, financial audits and processes, and advisory services.
Read moreMelisssa Schneeman
Director
Melisssa Schneeman
Director
Head of human resources at Credit One Bank; HR leader with 20+ years of experience in talent strategy, employee relations, leadership development, and organizational transformation; formerly with FTI Consulting and PwC.
Read more
