Our Team

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 Massachuestts 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 neighbrohood 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, dancing, roller skating 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 Director of Programs and represents the REC community as a co-chair of the Central MA Youth Jobs Coalition, 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. 

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 Nelson 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, REC’s Executive Director, has lived and worked in the city of Worcester for the past 30 years. He has more than 20 years’ experience in community organizing, campaign advocacy, youth development, and nonprofit management. Steve started at the REC as a volunteer with the YouthGROW program 20 years ago. SInce then, he has served as a board member, program staff, and became REC’s Executive Director in October 2009. Outside of work, Steve likes to spend time outdoors with his wife and children and his dog Poochie.

Tracy joined the REC in May 2022 as Development Director. She comes to the REC with 15 years of non-profit fundraising and marketing experience, most recently working for a human services agency for the past decade. 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. She joined the non-profit workforce after 20 years of working in the for-profit industry because she felt the desire to help improve people’s lives and contribute to the betterment of society. Outside of work you can find her working on her farm in CT with her husband to bring organically grown produce to their community, in her pottery studio being creative, enjoying time with her six adult kids, or exploring the forest that surrounds her home. 

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.

Andrew first arrived in Worcester in 2012 to attend Clark University where he earned a degree in Communications and Cultural Studies. After living and working in Worcester for a few years after graduation, he moved away but was ultimately drawn back to the city due to the strong sense of community. As a member of both the UGROW and YouthGROW teams, he is excited at the opportunity to contribute to the further strengthening of communities throughout Worcester. Outside of work, you can find Andrew enjoying time with friends and exploring central Massachusetts by bicycle.

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.

Katie graduated from Holy Cross in 2021 with a degree in sociology and gender studies. During her first week of college, Katie volunteered at the YouthGROW Farm and has been involved with the REC ever since as a YouthGROW Youth Mentor, Earth Day Coordinator, and Farmers Market Manager. Working with each of the REC's programs has strengthened Katie's passion for food justice, youth work, and urban farming. Now, as the Development Associate, Katie looks forward to spreading the REC's mission and supporting each program to increase their reach and impact in the Worcester community. Outside of work, Katie enjoys being outdoors with friends, playing soccer, listening to music, and sewing. 

Sadie grew up in Northwest New Jersey, where she first explored her interests in outdoor space and community food systems. A recent graduate of Clark University, Sadie has loved learning from and connecting with members of the Worcester community by working REC farmers markets. Currently a master’s student studying Community, Development, and Planning at Clark, Sadie is excited to deepen her commitment to food justice through continued work with REC as a market staff and program evaluation staff. Outside of work, Sadie enjoys bicycling, journaling, and spending time with loved ones.

Steven Murphy has lived in Worcester since 2013 and first became acquainted with the REC as a community gardener while living in the Main South neighborhood. Steven is the REC’s Administrative Director, and has served on the Earn-A-Bike Worcester board and the CMRPC Brownfields Advisory Committee.  Steven holds a masters in community development and planning from Clark University.  When he's not at the REC, Steven enjoys cycling and spending time with his spouse and two children.

​Tom Trepanier 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.

Valeria Niyonkuru 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.