MANAGEMENT TEAM

Nona Yehia

Co-Founder & CEO

An accomplished architect by training, Nona built Vertical Harvest from the ground up as North America’s first vertical hydroponic greenhouse. She also pioneered the company to focus on inclusive, customized employment for people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities alongside her co-founder Caroline Croft-Estay. She conceived the company based on her experiences growing up with a brother with developmental disabilities, love of fresh and local food, obsession with great design and long-standing community involvement. And her organic connection to all aspects of the enterprise continues to fuel Nona’s insight into the business and her dynamic leadership style.

Caroline Croft Estay

Co-Founder & Chief Potential Officer

An expert in behavioral health and workforce management, Caroline crafted and implemented Vertical Harvest’s innovative “Grow Well” employee model. Her role as a unique “grower of people” is to develop new approaches and modalities for fun, individualized and meaningful employment based on employee feedback. She is passionate about providing underserved communities and people with disabilities with the education, support and development to thrive at work.

Arik Griffin

Director of Farm Systems & Technology

Arik joined the board in 2009 and has been a full-time leadership team member since 2016. With an MBA from Duke, Arik brings 23 years of business management experience in tech product management, operations, finance, and as a web and software development company entrepreneur. Arik is responsible for leading all technology and systems initiatives with an explicit focus on driving profitability, system optimization and production yields, and building intellectual property assets.

Todd Hanna

Chief Operating Officer

Todd brings extensive experience creating, leading and executing for all types of organizations and is a decorated military veteran. As the CEO of Kate’s Real Foods, he led the company through multiple, major strategic initiatives. He comes to us from Orion Companies where he was responsible for setting corporate strategy and ensuring the financial success of the overall portfolio. Todd has also led teams in real estate, financial services, construction and non-profit, all of which informs his role guiding Vertical Harvest’s facilities expansion, team growth, financial management, and profitability.

Marv Selected VertHarvest MarvPortrait JoeySackett 5

Marv Tseu

Chief Growth Officer

A serial CEO, Marv has more than 30 years of experience founding, leading and developing both private and public companies. He was a member of the senior management team of POLY and pivotal in their public offering, where he still serves as Vice Chairman of the Board. He founded SiteSmith, where he guided the company to a very positive exit and was a former venture partner at Com Ventures in Silicon Valley. At Vertical Harvest, Marv is responsible for scaling our business through the expansion of farms across the U.S., working with city managers in urban communities where Vertical Harvest is best positioned to deliver on its sustainable farms, food and futures mission.

Noela Fries

Controller

With over 25 years of accounting experience, Noela has spent the last 15 years in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, mainly in the pet food space. Her experience in the CPG arena will be a great asset in streamlining the growing accounting functions at Vertical Harvest. Her experience at Halo and Purely for Pets had her wearing many hats, from accounting, HR, IT and office manager. She is excited to join a mission driven company!

VertHarvest MoniquePortrait JoeySackett 3

Monique Cardillo

Director of Product and Partnership Development

Monique is responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with business partners in our farm communities. With a decade of sales and customer success experience, she has the pulse on community engagement, revenue generation, and executing strategic growth plans in new markets.

Taylor Eckerson

Chief of Staff

An experienced supervisor and our liaison between staff, executives, senior leaders, investors, and CEO, Taylor has been with Vertical Harvest since the doors first opened in 2016. Through planning, coordinating and keeping everyone focused, Taylor assists in moving company wide ventures forward. From special projects with the CEO to new hires, Taylor is a cross-departmental glue at Vertical Harvest that keeps everyone moving, together. She has also spent time in many critical roles within the company, starting as a volunteer, waiver provider, job support and now major duomo of VH Corporate

Will Morrow

Chief Financial Officer

An investment banking analyst, and an experienced leader, Will brings over 20 years of experience leading operations for start-up companies and established institutions. From New York City to Los Angeles to Shanghai and Jackson Hole, Will has led positions from Operations Controller to COO and CFO. His specific proficiency in both operations management and financial analysis/planning, and his most recent accomplishments in the food and beverage industry with Melvin Brewing Company have allowed Will to be instrumental in structuring the deals that are fueling our expansion. Will’s approach to making finance more accessible across all departments and disciplines empowers Vertical Harvest to cultivate a smarter and more agile team.

Ally Gilman

Chief Marketing & Community Officer

A communications strategist and a brand experience designer, Ally leads teams that wrestle complexity into a clearly communicated idea and call-to-action. Part conference room psychologist, word chef, brand poet, and design-thinker, she helps translate jumbles of context into substantive stories for all kinds of target audiences, and then channels those stories into common cause that build brand loyalty and love.

Nicole Bojic

Chief Product & Revenue Officer

Nicole is passionate about helping Fortune 500 companies drive business results through smart, strategic planning that builds trust and brings all relevant stakeholders into alignment. With over 12 years of experience, Nicole excels in designing GTM strategies, and the operational processes that support them, in order to personalize stakeholder experiences, map buyer’s journeys, and implement success metrics that provide insight against business objectives. Her professional ethos has always been “make change, not noise.”

JoeySackett VerticalHarvestPortraits FINAL 6 scaled

Em-J Staples

VP of Marketing & Communications

Em-J is a Marcom ace with a background in entertainment, big tech, and early stage start-ups. She’s a creative force committed to making positive change in corporate culture and radically rethinking how we define marketing. Em-J’s a word wonk, brand champion, and data enthusiast inspired by human-centered stories and social-impact products. At Vertical Harvest, she drives strategy execution and oversees content innovation.

Charlotte Hadley

MarComm & Customer Success Coordinator

Charlotte is a passionate advocate for public health and the environment, dedicating her career to facilitating connections between individuals and the resources necessary for their well-being. Beginning her journey as a Vertical Harvest Farm Associate, Charlotte’s unwavering commitments have allowed her to share Vertical Harvests’ mission through marketing and Jackson-based customer experience activities. With a deep-rooted belief in the power of community, Charlotte continues to inspire others to embrace a harmonious relationship between people, the planet, and their food.

Emily Churchill

Director of Growing & Food Safety

An original member of Vertical Harvest since 2016, and an experienced greenhouse manager, Emily has spent the past five years managing our leafy green, microgreen, and tomato production while simultaneously overseeing our food safety protocols. Now, as a member of our corporate team, Emily is using her on-the-ground experience to help plan all aspects of growing and food safety in our future farms.

Graham Koten

Systems & Financial Analyst

Graham joined the Vertical Harvest corporate team in 2021 and now creates and manages our system frameworks and aligns them with our Grow Well Model. Through collaboration with the operation and finance teams, Graham develops our guidelines for company wide systems and works on our finance team to create projection reports.

Chris Hogberg

VP of Farm Operations & Construction

Chris transitioned from our Jackson Hole Greenhouse General Manager, to facilities manager in our corporate office. With a background in food production, food aggregation, food writing, and a local chef, Chris has the knowledge and experience to launch Vertical Harvest into new communities. His focus in expansion is overseeing the operational health of each greenhouse as well as managing the process and construction for our future farms.

Hannah Bouline

Director of Impact & Sustainability

A sustainability advocate, and an expert grower, Hannah works with the Vertical Harvest team to ensure we are developing products and sustainability strategies that are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable. With an MBA in sustainability, and years of working in the flagship Jackson Hole greenhouse, Hannah is responsible for developing a portfolio of products and sustainability initiatives that support and drive Vertical Harvest’s brand.

Samara Selected VertHarvest SamaraPortrait JoeySackett 4

Samara Flug

Director of Business Operations

Samara is responsible for directing and supporting cross-functional initiatives across the company to help build strategic direction, execution frameworks, process automation and workflow enhancements, KPIs, and team structures in order to drive growth and increase the overall efficiency, productivity, and profitability of the company. Her previous experience includes Head of Operations at Cocokind, where she was responsible for the strategy and execution of all operations as well as finance and organizational management for the high-growth skincare brand.

Nora Long

Expansion Manager

Nora is responsible for leading research and outreach across the U.S for future sites, with a focus on ensuring potential partner communities define and support each pillar of Vertical Harvest’s mission. She comes to Vertical Harvest with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a Master’s degree in Sustainable Food Systems, in addition to a background in finance, having spent 2.5 years at Brown Brothers & Harriman. More recently, she led PowerPlant Partners’ deep dive into the cellular agriculture industry and built the Good Food Institute’s ATLAS database, with the goal of accelerating the development and commercialization of alternative seafood.

Julie Strother

Digital Marketing Manager

Julie joins us from the great state of Michigan with an extensive background in digital marketing and non-profit work. She’s a Michigan State grad with a major in Environmental Economics and Policy and was excited to join our efforts as it’s aligned with many of her personal commitments and values. Julie is integral in helping us communicate with the entire community as our customer and building a brand that is loved locally and admired nationally.

Chris Eckerson

Facilities and Maintenance Specialist

Chris Eckerson has served as our facilities manager in Jackson Wyoming for the last two years. He comes to Vertical Harvest with an extensive background in mechanical knowledge. He has helped develop our preventative maintenance program and standard operating procedures during that time. Chris has recently relocated to Maine to assist with the installation and commissioning of the newest Vertical Harvest facility.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Nona Yehia

CEO & Director

Gingee Prince

Director

Gingee serves as Managing Director of Enhanced Capital’s $25 million Wyoming investment fund as well as Chief Impact Officer for Enhanced Capital. There she oversees the objectives, metrics, analysis, and reporting of the firm’s social, environmental, and economic investment impact. Prior to these two positions at Enhanced, she was responsible for the development of public/private investment programs and business expansion for the firm. Gingee has extensive experience founding and growing companies in the computer, telecommunications, and private investment industries.

Björn Öste

Director

As co-founder of Oatly AB, where he and his brother invented the world-leading Oatmilk, and through his work as CEO of Good Idea Inc, a flavored, carbonated water that helps handle blood sugar spikes following a meal, Björn has proven himself a serial food innovator and entrepreneur. He is also Chairman of the Board at Nutritional Health R&D company Aventure AB and Plant Molecular Biology company Crop Tailor.

Paul Dugsin

Chair

Paul co-founded Raiven in 2018 and brings 20 years of investing, operating, and strategic planning to a new and differentiated set of funds that leverage, with Raiven Fund A, the advantages of Canada’s early stage technology eco-system coupled with the operating metrics and strategy of its Silicon Valley-based team members. His superpower of identifying winning innovation and driving pathways to success helped him raise $1 Billion for R+D in emerging industries, including smart manufacturing, health tech, and high-performance computing.

Christopher Slim

Director

Christopher is both co-founder and CEO of Nicoya, a business-accelerating investment company focusing on foodtech. They are driven by creating meaningful impact for people, planet, and health. Nicoya is where emerging revolutionary foodtech concepts are developed before landing on consumers’ plates. Together with passionate entrepreneurs they will be part of the force transforming the global food system.

FOUNDING MEMBERS

Penny McBride

Co-Founder

Sam Bartels

Director of Business Development

Anna Olson

Founding Board Member

With Thanksgiving just one week away, we celebrated with our own Friendsgiving. Gathering around food is kind of our thing, so you best believe we love this kind of Holiday. Together we shared delicious home cooked foods and so much gratitude for the humans that make up this incredible company.

#Friendsgiving #farmer #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #Love #Inclusivity #DeliciousFood #Turkey #MashedPotatoes #Gravy #Thankful

30 0

Open

With Thanksgiving just one week away, we celebrated with our own Friendsgiving. Gathering around food is kind of our thing, so you best believe we love this kind of Holiday. Together we shared delicious home cooked foods and so much gratitude for the humans that make up this incredible company.

#Friendsgiving #farmer #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #Love #Inclusivity #DeliciousFood #Turkey #MashedPotatoes #Gravy #Thankful

The JEDI Committee (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) came up with these tips for Voter Accessibility for this voting season because everyone`s voice matters!
1. Reform Guardianship Laws
2. Pro-Voter Policies
3. Meaningful Accessibility Standards for Elections
4. Develop Safe and Accessible Election Technology
5. Recruit and Train Poll Workers with Disabilities

#JEDI #Voting #VoterAccessibility #ProVoterPolicies #Election #ElectionSeason #NovemeberElection #GetOutTheVOte #GOTV #Diversity #Disability #Inclusion #VoiceMatters #Wyoming #Maine #USA #Polls

67 2

Open

The JEDI Committee (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) came up with these tips for Voter Accessibility for this voting season because everyone's voice matters!
1. Reform Guardianship Laws
2. Pro-Voter Policies
3. Meaningful Accessibility Standards for Elections
4. Develop Safe and Accessible Election Technology
5. Recruit and Train Poll Workers with Disabilities

#JEDI #Voting #VoterAccessibility #ProVoterPolicies #Election #ElectionSeason #NovemeberElection #GetOutTheVOte #GOTV #Diversity #Disability #Inclusion #VoiceMatters #Wyoming #Maine #USA #Polls

We had a blast in Maine meeting new and old friends, connecting on our love for foods, economic inclusion and innovation. As National Disability Employment Awareness Month comes to an end, we are reminded that every human has the right to meaningful work. Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s Open House and NDEAM event. Here is a little recap of the week with special guest Jackson’s Biggest Rockstar!

#Maine #Westbrook #Jobs #NDEAM #StartUp #Inclusion #Diversity #innovation #farming #VerticalFarming #Fall #MaineFall #Costumes

76 3

Open

We had a blast in Maine meeting new and old friends, connecting on our love for foods, economic inclusion and innovation. As National Disability Employment Awareness Month comes to an end, we are reminded that every human has the right to meaningful work. Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s Open House and NDEAM event. Here is a little recap of the week with special guest Jackson’s Biggest Rockstar!

#Maine #Westbrook #Jobs #NDEAM #StartUp #Inclusion #Diversity #innovation #farming #VerticalFarming #Fall #MaineFall #Costumes

What a treat! (not a trick ;) Both founders and Jackson`s Biggest Rockstar are on site at Vertical Harvest Maine this week with exciting new equipment installs, Open House at the CareerCenter and celebrating NDEAM (National Disability Employment Awareness Month). Looking forward to meeting people in our community, connecting and sharing what we love to do.

#Farming #VerticalFarming #NDEAM #Disability #Infrastructure #Architecture #Maine #Westbrook #CareerInFarming #Innovation #Farms

144 5

Open

What a treat! (not a trick ;) Both founders and Jackson's Biggest Rockstar are on site at Vertical Harvest Maine this week with exciting new equipment installs, Open House at the CareerCenter and celebrating NDEAM (National Disability Employment Awareness Month). Looking forward to meeting people in our community, connecting and sharing what we love to do.

#Farming #VerticalFarming #NDEAM #Disability #Infrastructure #Architecture #Maine #Westbrook #CareerInFarming #Innovation #Farms

Know your rights when going to vote this election season and ask pole workers for assistance! Your voice matters and and your vote matters.

#GOTV #GoVote #Voting #ElectionSeason #Disability #VoterRights #DisabledVoters #NovemberElection #ElectionSeason #Wyoming #Voters

107 11

Open

Know your rights when going to vote this election season and ask pole workers for assistance! Your voice matters and and your vote matters.

#GOTV #GoVote #Voting #ElectionSeason #Disability #VoterRights #DisabledVoters #NovemberElection #ElectionSeason #Wyoming #Voters

Reminder! It’s not too late to receive an absentee ballot and there are many ways to request one. Take it from Johnny 😁 #voting #wyoming #NovemberVote #Vote #Election #YourVoteMatters

119 14

Open

Reminder! It’s not too late to receive an absentee ballot and there are many ways to request one. Take it from Johnny 😁 #voting #wyoming #NovemberVote #Vote #Election #YourVoteMatters

Join Us for a Vertical Harvest Maine Job Fair
This event is specifically for job seekers with a disability who want to learn about:
1. Exciting opportunities at Vertical Harvest Maine
2. What it`s like to work in a hydroponic farm (that`s growing plants without soil!)
3. Our Grow Well Employment Model that promotes inclusivity and opportunity

Details:
Date: Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024
Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Portland CareerCenter, 151 Jetport Blvd, Portland, ME (Limited capacity of 30)
ASL interpreter on site
Please note: You don`t need to disclose your disability, but this event is tailored for individuals who identify as having one. We plan to host more general job fairs soon!

FAQs:
Westbrook farm opening? 2025! (Exact date coming soon)
Hiring timeline? We`ll start with leadership roles, then open up more positions. Stay tuned!
Other Questions? Send us a chat!

We can`t wait to meet you! We will be doing cartwheels until we do!

#VerticalFarming #Jobs #Maine #Westbrook #FarmJobs #IndoorFarming #JobFairMaine #Careers #Growing #inclusivity #diversity

56 3

Open

Join Us for a Vertical Harvest Maine Job Fair
This event is specifically for job seekers with a disability who want to learn about:
1. Exciting opportunities at Vertical Harvest Maine
2. What it's like to work in a hydroponic farm (that's growing plants without soil!)
3. Our Grow Well Employment Model that promotes inclusivity and opportunity

Details:
Date: Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024
Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Portland CareerCenter, 151 Jetport Blvd, Portland, ME (Limited capacity of 30)
ASL interpreter on site
Please note: You don't need to disclose your disability, but this event is tailored for individuals who identify as having one. We plan to host more general job fairs soon!

FAQs:
Westbrook farm opening? 2025! (Exact date coming soon)
Hiring timeline? We'll start with leadership roles, then open up more positions. Stay tuned!
Other Questions? Send us a chat!

We can't wait to meet you! We will be doing cartwheels until we do!

#VerticalFarming #Jobs #Maine #Westbrook #FarmJobs #IndoorFarming #JobFairMaine #Careers #Growing #inclusivity #diversity

This week is the annual Clinton Global Initiative, taking action on the world`s most pressing challenges. Last year we had the privilege of participating on stage with other change makers and leaders in the fields of climate resiliency, economic inclusion, health equity, humanitarian response, and gender equality. Be sure to check out the action and innovation happening this year at CGI2024! https://loom.ly/krCRWjY

#CGI #ClintonFoundation #Global #ClintonGlobalInitiative #Food #Futures #CivicInfrastructure #ClimateResilient #Agriculture #VerticalFarming #Farm #indoorFarming #CEA #ControlledFarming #21stCentury #Challenges #EconomicInclusion #Diversity

69 4

Open

This week is the annual Clinton Global Initiative, taking action on the world's most pressing challenges. Last year we had the privilege of participating on stage with other change makers and leaders in the fields of climate resiliency, economic inclusion, health equity, humanitarian response, and gender equality. Be sure to check out the action and innovation happening this year at CGI2024! https://loom.ly/krCRWjY

#CGI #ClintonFoundation #Global #ClintonGlobalInitiative #Food #Futures #CivicInfrastructure #ClimateResilient #Agriculture #VerticalFarming #Farm #indoorFarming #CEA #ControlledFarming #21stCentury #Challenges #EconomicInclusion #Diversity

Destiny Kennington is a single mother of three who found Vertical Harvest through The Climb Wyoming Program. She has been working in the farm for almost five years. The Grow Well Model at VH has helped Destiny and her kids to grow, feel supported and meet their truest human potential. We love you Destiny <3

#Mothers #Farmers #Support #HumanPotential #WorkingMom #Strong #FemaleEmpowerment #VerticalFarmer #Wyoming #ClimbWY #Kids @climb_wyoming

70 7

Open

Destiny Kennington is a single mother of three who found Vertical Harvest through The Climb Wyoming Program. She has been working in the farm for almost five years. The Grow Well Model at VH has helped Destiny and her kids to grow, feel supported and meet their truest human potential. We love you Destiny <3

#Mothers #Farmers #Support #HumanPotential #WorkingMom #Strong #FemaleEmpowerment #VerticalFarmer #Wyoming #ClimbWY #Kids @climb_wyoming

Come with us as we explore Peaks Island, off the coast of the great state of Maine! We are loving our summers on the ocean and excited for the farm to serve the communities that surround it. We are waiting patiently but also don`t want summer to end.

#PeaksIsland #IleonePeaks #NeverEndingSummer #MaineSummers #SummerInMaine #Ocean #Summer #Food #Waves #Sand #Biking #IslandLife #Nature #Farming

40 0

Open

Come with us as we explore Peaks Island, off the coast of the great state of Maine! We are loving our summers on the ocean and excited for the farm to serve the communities that surround it. We are waiting patiently but also don't want summer to end.

#PeaksIsland #IleonePeaks #NeverEndingSummer #MaineSummers #SummerInMaine #Ocean #Summer #Food #Waves #Sand #Biking #IslandLife #Nature #Farming

Join our mailing list and never miss an update!

Growing Fresh Food & Jobs in Urban Communities.

VERTICAL HARVEST HEADQUARTERS & MEDIA INQUIRIES
info@verticalharvestfarms.com

PO Box 641
Jackson, WY 83001

JACKSON, WYOMING
info@verticalharvestfarms.com

155 W. Simpson Avenue
Jackson, WY 83001