The GardenWorks Project’s vision and mission are driven by its leadership and staff. Our leadership team of board and committee members provides us expertise and strategic direction to improve our community, one garden at a time.
Please connect with us if you are interested in committee and/or board membership or would like to meet with a board member to learn more!
When we grow together, we all thrive.
Whether you volunteer, donate, or partner with us, you become part of a practical and hopeful solution to hunger in our community.
Let’s grow something good together.
Matt Tansley is a Land Use Planner with the Kane County Development and Community Services Department. He provides staff support for the implementation of various county long-range and strategic plans, including the Kane County 2040 Plan, the Growing for Kane Report, and the Kane County Food Hub Feasibility Study. He also coordinates the activities of the Kane County Planning Cooperative, an interdepartmental working group of planning practitioners representing the Departments of Development, Health, and Transportation, as well as publishes the group’s monthly newsletter. Matt holds a B.S. in Political Science from Bradley University and a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. For the past four years, Matt has served as Secretary on The GardenWorks Project’s Board of Directors.
Nancy became a gardener by accident over 20 years ago when her sister encouraged her to start a container garden on her apartment balcony. Initially intrigued but not enthused, she followed her sister’s suggestion and a deep love of growing things was sparked. Volunteering as a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners for over 15 years, Nancy has many opportunities to talk with other home gardeners about helpful growing practices. Being a part of a special organization like The GardenWorks Project with a mission to reduce food insecurity through garden builds and education is a privilege. Nancy holds a BS from Eastern Illinois University and works in the financial services industry as a CFP. Other joys besides gardening include reading and volunteering at her church.
Jesse currently works at Sikich as a Senior Internal Audit Consultant. In this role, Jesse works to improve client’s, of various industries, daily processes by decreasing risk and increasing operational efficiencies. Outside of his career, he enjoys giving back to the community as the Assistant Cross Country Coach at Waubonsee Community College and serves as the Board Treasurer for Traffick Free. Jesse holds a B.S. and M.A.S in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University. Currently, Jesse has served as treasurer on The GardenWorks Project’s Board of Directors. He welcomes the opportunity to pursue his passion for gardening in this leadership role with The GardenWorks Project.
Bill has participated in a Master Gardener program, written a gardening column for a local newspaper, and taught gardening classes at his local park district. He was introduced to The GardenWorks Project through an online course in Urban Sustainable Agriculture at College of Dupage, where he learned about the realities of national and local food insecurity. Bill recently retired from a long career as a Bond Underwriter with CNA Insurance in Chicago. He welcomes the opportunity to pursue his passion for gardening in this leadership role with The GardenWorks Project.
Teri is an avid gardener and annually starts seeds in the spring for her bungalow kitchen and cutting gardens. She first learned of the GardenWorks Project while wandering at a local garden center and attending a volunteer event. Teri was immediately drawn to the mission of the GWP and the commitment of the board, staff, and volunteers to bring vital resources to our community.
She began as executive director in May of 2023 and brings over 20 years of experience in community engagement, fundraising, event planning and volunteer management. She has served as a community relations coordinator, communications director and most recently a community outreach coordinator all within the field of public education. Teri holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Marquette University. Teri loves growing and sharing plants with family and friends and spending time with her husband, three children and three grandchildren.
Amanda Bryant has been gardening with her Mom since before she can remember. Now, she loves sharing her love of gardening with her husband, son and anyone who will listen. Amanda began volunteering with The Gardenworks Project in 2017 and became a lead during the 2018 season, shortly before joining the board. She earned her BA from DePaul University in International Studies and is also a registered yoga instructor. Being a part of The GardenWorks Project has given Amanda the great opportunity to combine her great passions: helping people become more connected with their bodies while also helping them become more connected to their food.
Jackie’s earliest memories of gardening begin on the south side of Chicago with her father in the backyard of her parent’s home. While she grew up witnessing neighborhoods turn into food deserts, she did not know of the term or how widespread it was until college where she earned her BS in Nutrition & Dietetics. Her first experience with urban agriculture was with Chicago Lights as a chef mentor for their after-school cooking program. In 2021, she chose to leave the healthcare world to make a difference in our community’s food system. She spent the following summer as an intern with The Talking Farm and has since dedicated her time to learning how to grow food. Jackie is thrilled for the chance to combine her passions for food and nature.
Matt Tansley is a Land Use Planner with the Kane County Development and Community Services Department. He provides staff support for the implementation of various county long-range and strategic plans, including the Kane County 2040 Plan, the Growing for Kane Report, and the Kane County Food Hub Feasibility Study. He also coordinates the activities of the Kane County Planning Cooperative, an interdepartmental working group of planning practitioners representing the Departments of Development, Health, and Transportation, as well as publishes the group’s monthly newsletter. Matt holds a B.S. in Political Science from Bradley University and a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. For the past four years, Matt has served as Secretary on The GardenWorks Project’s Board of Directors. Matt can be reached at matt@gardenworksproject.org