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 a retired pharmaceutical executive with a distinguished career in both corporate leadership and philanthropy. He most recently served as President & CEO of ITF Pharma, Inc., an affiliate of the multinational company, Italfarmaco. He previously co-founded several biotech startups, including Hsiri Therapeutics and Ranedis Therapeutics, and played key leadership roles at Cytokine PharmaSciences, which he led as CEO until its sale to Ferring in 2011.

In addition to his corporate work, Denny has been deeply involved in nonprofit efforts. He earned his undergraduate degree summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, and a J.D. from UC Hastings College of the Law. He is a retired member of the Pennsylvania Bar and lives in Rancho Santa Fe, California, with Claudia, his wife of 49 years.

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. 

Dr. Edward Pohlert has been an educator for the past forty-one years at eight colleges and universities in California. Edward has devoted his career to inspiring 1st generation college, underrepresented students, and their families to utilize education as a powerful force to change lives, communities, and outdated higher education systems.  As a first-generation college student, he has attained educational success as a cultural psychologist utilizing his life narrative and community practices for the betterment of our shared vision of a multicultural society. His commitment is to grow Garden 31's organizational resiliency and restorative justice focus. 

Ariel Hamburger is a Planning Manager with the County of San Diego’s Sustainability Planning Division. Ariel works on the intersection between climate change, environmental justice, and health equity. Prior to working as a planner, Ariel spent seven years in public health with a focus on improving the local food system and built environment. Previously, Ariel worked on healthy food access issues at the UC San Diego Center for Community Health and worked on cross-border issues through the County’s Office of Border Health. She graduated with honors from San Diego State University with a Master’s in Public Health and a Master’s in Latin American Studies. She also has a degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from UC Berkeley.

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. 

After being sentenced to 144 years to life in prison, Andrew Mundy met Chris behind bars, where they shared a vision—Garden 31—a mission rooted in transformation, growth, and purpose. Through God’s grace and love, Andrew embarked on a profound journey of renewal, turning adversity into an opportunity to cultivate hope.
Today, Andrew is dedicated to helping others find purpose and compassion through gardening, education, and character development. His work with Garden 31 is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and the belief that even in the most difficult circumstances, new life can grow.

Jasmine is a 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 since 2013. 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 its impact on how we learn and perceive the world.