Jessica is an experienced financial professional currently working in Corporate Development at Hewlett-Packard, Inc. In her role, she is a key contributor to the evaluation and execution of strategic technology acquisition opportunities for HP Inc. Previously, she worked at J.P. Morgan as a Mergers & Acquisition Investment Banker and at Barclays as a Merger Arbitrage Equities Trader. Inspired by a family that bonded over the dinner table, Jessica is passionate about increasing access to healthy, affordable, and local produce. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from the Yale School of Management.

Nathan, a Seattle transplant, moved to Portland in 2010 for its vast beauty and outdoor wilderness opportunities. A graduate of Whitworth University, he embarked on a number paths prior to landing at p:ear in 2011. He previously owned and operated Inside Passage Expeditions, an adventure travel sea kayaking company in BC, Canada. After selling his company of seven years he took a management position with Seattle REI for the next three years before coming to p:ear to establish their Wilderness Recreation Program. Nathan currently serves as the p:ear Works Director overseeing their social purpose enterprises.

Nathan, his wife, 9-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter spend their time exploring the Pacific Northwest seeking adventure in nature.

Laura grew up on and still owns a farm in Northwest Iowa. She learned early the importance of careful stewardship; implementing conservation and regenerative practices to enhance the land. Laura has been an ardent organic gardener all of her adult life, passing on her practices to her friends and family. She is excited to share the glories of growing and preserving their own food with the folks in Gresham. Recently retired, Laura spent 30 years providing workforce and career development services for both government and non-profit agencies. She hopes that many of the skills acquired in her professional life will translate well to the Thimbleberry Collaborative Farm.

Kara is a creator of cultural experiences that help us image and build towards a future that is economically and environmentally sustainable for future generations. As Executive Director of the nonprofit Zero Foodprint (2018-2021), she led a multi-stakeholder team helping farmers transition to regenerative agriculture. Previously, she was co-founder of restaurants including The Perennial and Mission Chinese Food, and she has co-authored two innovative cookbooks (Mission Street Food and Atelier Crenn).

Jack is a domestic relations attorney at McKinley Irvin, with many years of experience in mediation and litigation in areas of divorce and child custody. Although a native of Detroit, Michigan, he has called Oregon his home since 2010 when he moved out west for law school at Willamette University. Prior to entering the career of law, he worked as an educator and even has farming experience harvesting cherries in Western Michigan orchards. Jack’s interests include yoga, performing music with his friends and playing adult league ice hockey. Jack’s motivations for service include education, restorative farming, environmental justice and healthy living—his involvement with Thimbleberry allows him to stoke these passions. Jack lives near the farm with his wife Molly and their son Gordie (who loves the chickens on the farm).