Our Staff
Tasha Powell
Co-Founder, President
Tasha leads the organization as President, guiding AFC’s members, programming, and path. She is a lifelong North Minneapolis resident and has been active in the local food justice movement, advocating for and giving back to her community. Tasha is passionate about food access and knowledge for Northside families.
Michelle Horovitz
Co-Founder, Vice President of Innovation
Michelle grows networks, opportunities, and advocacy efforts as VP of Innovation. She has worked as a public defender and in the kitchen of an award-winning chef. Michelle’s father’s family is from the Northside, and she has a passion for building racial and social equity in this community.
Princess Haley
Co-Founder, Senior Engagement Officer
Princess builds connections and nurtures relationships as Senior Engagement Officer. She has worked in North Minneapolis as a licensed trainer and educator for more than twenty years. Princess is passionate about working with families to build healthy foundations for lifelong learning.
Darryl Lindsey
Vice President of Social Enterprise
Darryl supervises day-to-day operations at AFC, providing human resources support and management expertise. A Los Angeles native, Darryl brings 25 years of experience working in the private sector, as a high school teacher, private investigator and database administrator. He is an avid urban farmer, maintaining his own plots at his home in North Minneapolis.
Stephanie Malone
Vice President of Advancement
Stephanie holds a Master’s in Public Health Administration and Policy and brings two decades of service in the nonprofit sector, public health, and civic engagement. She’s led advancement for Twin Cities RISE, established major gifts and planned giving efforts at CaringBridge, fundraised for a capital campaign at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of MN, and overseen annual fund and alumni giving for Augsburg University, and directed institutional giving for Girl Scouts. When not working, she spends time in her garden with her two young children and volunteers in the community. Her favorite produce is brussels sprouts, but also loves a tomato plucked fresh from the vine.
Geoffrey Wilson
Director of Strategic Partnerships & Community Meals Programs
Geoffrey is a Minnesota native who recently returned to Minneapolis after many years living and working in New York City. He has a passion for food and hospitality. His first job was as a barista at Caribou Coffee at age 16 and he has worked in cafés and restaurants ever since. In addition to making great latte art, Geoffrey is a professional musician and composer, performing shows around the Twin Cities.
Antwayn Hunter
General Manager, Social Enterprise
Nicole Powell
Community Cooks Program Manager
Nicole was born and raised in North Minneapolis and is passionate about her community. Nicole studied Human Service at MCTC. Nicole started out as a participant in AFC’s Community Cooks and is now a Program Manager. Nicole’s hard work and devotion helps change the way community members eat, think, and live. Nicole believes in meeting people where they’re at and working with them to help improve the way they eat.
Crispin Phillips
Urban Agriculture Program Manager
Crispin is a former Personnel Development Center Coordinator in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands where he set up cooperatives with farmers. While in the islands, he facilitated learning, sharing and teachings through partnerships and mentorships with local farmers. He has experience in assisting with greenhouse management and operations. Furthermore, Crispin has farm crew experience, working with farmers markets, food coops and CSAs with the Women’s Environmental Institute. As a Hennepin County Master Gardener for 8 years and life long gardener/farmer, Crispin is working on enriching the Urban Ag program here at AFC. Lastly, Crispin has dedicated many hours to volunteering and coordinating the Northside Fresh Seed and Plant distribution events. Crispin holds an undergraduate degree from Dillard University and a graduate degree from Oklahoma State University. He also serves as the Minnesota Conference Disaster Coordinator for the United Church of Christ.
Boakai M. Dorley
Controller
Boakai is a former Bank Examiner from the Central Bank of Liberia with more than 10 years in the financial sectors. In 2022, he obtained a Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree from the University of Minnesota. In 2015, he obtained a MA Degree in Labor & Social Economics, from the State University of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil and BBA in Accounting & Economics, University of Liberia, 2009. He is responsible for preparing and overseeing AFC financial reports. Boakai has passion for teaching and mentoring youth on the importance of financial management.
Bethann Kemling
Human Resources Manager
Bethann comes to AFC with over 35 years of experience working at small nonprofit organizations in both accounting and human resources roles. She holds Master’s degrees in both Human Resource Management and Public Administration. She is also a certified yoga teacher and has been a member of the Read More Book Club for 33 years. She loves most vegetables and enjoys trying new vegetarian recipes with her daughter.
Jim Pfeffer
Station 81 Kitchen Manager
Jim leads production out of our St. Paul kitchen at Station 81. A Minnesota native (with brief detours on the West Coast and as a cruise ship musician in the Caribbean), he has a deep connection to the land and culture of the Midwest. With over a decade of experience in the restaurant industry, he is committed to local and sustainable agriculture and celebrating the best of our region. Jim’s favorite produce is asparagus, as it only comes into season when winter is really over in MN and there is a full growing season to look forward to.
Laura Gondek
Breaking Bread Catering Sales Manager
Laura was born in Illinois but has since lived in 5 other states before finally settling in Minnesota. She absolutely loves city life in Minneapolis and has called it home for over 9 year. Laura’s first job was as a hostess and she’s been in the service industry up until joining Breaking Bread as Sales Manager. Laura is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Marketing from the University of Minnesota and when she’s not studying or working, she runs a small jewelry business out of her apartment!
Lily Sevilla
Urban Agriculture Facilitator
Lily collaborates with the Urban Agriculture team to grow beautiful, healthy produce for our community. Lily graduated from Northland college with a bachelor’s degree in sustainable community development and social justice. Before coming to AFC Lily’s passion for food justice led her to work in multiple levels of the food system in Minnesota and Wisconsin, from CSA farms to urban gardens, and as a research assistant working in food sovereignty. In her free time Lily enjoys biking around Minneapolis, experimenting in the kitchen, darning socks, and going on walks with her dog Juniper.
Nola Thury
Youth Training & Opportunities Program Facilitator
Nola is a facilitator in the Youth Training and Opportunities Program at AFC. Her work on a farm in Washington state sparked her passion for food justice and led her to pursue opportunities to strengthen local food systems, eventually moving back home to Minneapolis. She has a background in youth development and believes that young people will lead the way in creating better food systems for us all. Nola loves to read, walk along the Mississippi River, and find new ways to cook potatoes.
Maci Bekele
Development Facilitator
Maci has roots in Ethiopia, having come to St. Paul when she was 11. She studied Psychology and Public Health at the University of Minnesota. After graduating, she became a Public Allies AmeriCorps member building capacity in various non-profit organizations. She is passionate about food, social justice and using technology and community to co-create a sustainable environment.
Steven A. Forns
Office Manager & Executive Assistant to the President
As the office manager, Steven brings both structure and warmth to Appetite For Change, having come onto the team in 2021 with ample experience in academia and the arts. He earned his BA in music in 2017, and he primarily worked in university settings prior to joining the AFC team. Born into a military family, he spent most of his life moving across the U.S. before settling in Minneapolis in 2019. He is passionate about folk music, sustainable coffee, roleplaying games, and the writings of Wendell Berry. He has a particular fondness for bell peppers.