Ashley was born and raised in Massachusetts. She achieved her Bachelors in Sustainable Landscape Horticulture at the University of Vermont, and spent many years working on farms in New England. Her love for permaculture and ambition to travel guided her to Nicaragua for a handful of years, before returning to Massachusetts and diving into food system work in Worcester. She managed a new American centered community farm, which grew and sold culturally significant produce to communities throughout Worcester and neighborhood CSA's and including at the REC Saturday Farmers Market. She now coordinates the REC Community Farmers Market program, including our mobile farmers market. She feels passion for strengthening the food security of Worcester, one market, and one customer, and one farm at a time.

After graduating from Clark University in 2014, Eliza worked as a Youth Mentor for the YouthGROW program for 3 summers where she fell in love with both youth work and gardening. In 2018 she joined the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship AmeriCorps as the Garden Education Fellow serving both the YouthGROW and School Gardens Program. Eliza then joined the team as staff and our first School Gardens Coordinator, where she works with students of all ages implementing garden based curriculum. When not at work, Eliza enjoys making food with friends, salsa dancing, and gardening with her neighbors at her own community garden

A Worcester and Main South native, Grace is a proud alumni of Jacob Hiatt Magnet School, Sullivan Middle, and South High, and later on in life, Columbia University and Clark University. Grace first fell in love with food justice and the REC as a Mass Promise Fellow AmeriCorps member serving with the YouthGROW program, joining our staff team after two years of AmeriCorps service as our YouthGROW Coordinator. She currently serves as our Associate Executive Director and represents the REC community as a Steering Committee member of the Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester and Worcester Food Policy Council, board member of Central MA Grown, and member of the Mayor's Food Security Task Force. When she's not at the REC, she enjoys trying new restaurants and making art with her kids.

Lily was an intern with the Regional Environmental Council in Spring 2024 for the UGrow program, and she was hired to join the development team in Spring 2025. Lily has always had a passion for nature and environmental stewardship, and she is grateful for the opportunity to turn this passion into employment with the Regional Environmental Council. Lily lives in Worcester, and she is pursuing a degree in environmental science at Quinsigamond Community College. Outside of work, Lily loves practicing yoga, hiking and painting.

Noel has been passionate about nature and ecology most of her life; that passion came to head when delving into the Horticulture Program at Penn State University. Shortly after, Noel became involved with the REC after moving to Worcester in 2013. Combining a passion for nature and social justice is a dream come true. When not working Noel enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, and cooking.

Owen Chase is a YouthGROW graduate who has been with the REC since 2019. He found his passion for agriculture through the program and says it sparked a commitment to feeding the community. Now a student at Clark University, Owen majors in Global Environmental Studies with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Alongside his studies, Owen founded Just For Fun Farms, delivering freshly grown microgreens to local farmers markets, restaurants, and community members.

Shanice was born and raised in Worcester, MA. She was a South High graduate of 2006 (Go Colonels!) Shanice joined the REC in 2022 and says it has been an amazing experience. Shanice has a passion for helping others. She says "I know all too well what it is to not have enough food at the table. I'm going to do what I can to end food insecurity, one fruit and vegetable at a time." When Shanice is not at work you can find her with her children or at one of the community fridges donating food.

Steve Fischer has served as REC's Executive Director since October 2009. He has lived and worked in Worcester since 1991 and brings more than 25 years of experience in community organizing, advocacy, youth development, and nonprofit management. Steve first became involved with REC in 2003 as a volunteer with the YouthGROW program during its first summer. He later served as a board member and then joined the program staff before becoming Executive Director. Outside of work, Steve enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and children.

Tom graduated from UMASS Amherst in 2011, with a degree in Plant Soil and Insect Science and a concentration in Sustainable Food and Farming. Tom has worked on many types of farms across Massachusetts at various scales. Tom's been managing the REC YouthGROW farm since 2019, working closely with YouthGROW. When asked what he loves about the REC, Tom said "everyone here is passionate about what they do, and it shows in the work that we do." Outside of the REC, you can find Tom walking his dog Carrot through local parks and hiking trails.

Tracy joined the REC in May 2022 as Development Director. She comes to the REC with decades of non-profit fundraising and marketing experience. Tracy studied professional fundraising at Boston University and marketing design at Dean College. She holds the designation of Professional Fundraising Executive (CFRE) from CFRE International. Tracy is passionate about creating inclusive, accepting, and equitable communities.

Valeria is a Burundi farmer and Farm Mentor with the REC. Valeria supports YouthGROW farm cultural crop production. She works with the YouthGROW team training youth and adult staff on cultural growing practices. Outside of the REC, Valeria works at New Lands Farm and owns/operates Misigaro Farm.

Vanessa, originally from Worcester, is deeply involved in her community as a cultural organizer and youth worker. Beginning her journey with REC in 2019 as a YouthGROW mentor and mobile market team member, she has now taken on the role of YouthGROW Coordinator, bringing with her over 14 years of experience in positive youth development. She is passionate about mentoring youth, equipping them with job readiness skills, and amplifying the voices of marginalized artists. As a Latina, she advocates for more representation in our cities to foster stronger connections with marginalized communities. Vanessa finds joy in spending time with her son and loved ones, indulging in good food, dancing, and crafting when she's not working on the farm.