Meet The Team
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTORshe/her/hers
Dr. Sandra E. Jones retired from the faculty of the Department of African and African Diaspora Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2015. She specialized in African American and women’s literature, literary criticism and theory. Jones also taught courses in African American life and history.
Born in Milwaukee, Jones has been active in the community in a variety of areas. She served as a commissioner on the Milwaukee Social Development Commission’s Board of Commissioners and on the Advisory Board of Public Allies Milwaukee.
She looks forward to joining the Victory Garden Initiative team to fulfill its mission: “To create a community-based, socially just, environmentally sustainable, nutritious food system for all.”
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FARM MANAGERLaDonna Green is the Farm Manager at Victory Garden Initiative, where she leads efforts in seed cultivation, garden mapping, and organic compost-making. With a passion for urban farming and community engagement, she plays a vital role in educational programming that fosters sustainable gardening practices in Milwaukee. LaDonna is also the founder of Growing Green Gardens Network Inc., a nonprofit community garden in Wauwatosa dedicated to empowering individuals to grow their own healthy food and promoting environmental education.
In addition to her roles in the gardens, LaDonna works to promote environmental stewardship, serving as a Conservation Educator for Wisconsin Women in Conservation and a board member of the Milwaukee Audubon Society. Her experience as an Early Childhood Educator with the Five Star Educational Training Center taught her how to instill a love of nature and gardening in young learners.
LaDonna's enthusiasm shines through in her efforts to help others build environmentally friendly gardens, create habitats for pollinators and birds, and foster self-reliance in organic food consumption. In 2023, she expanded her teaching to include adult classes for aspiring urban farmers, focusing on essential conservation skills, from planting and harvesting to composting and establishing pollinator habitats. Through her work, LaDonna Green continues to inspire and empower her community towards a more sustainable and informed approach to gardening and conservation.
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VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS COORDINATORGrowing up around nonprofit work, creative people, and entrepreneurs Stephen’s passion lies at the cross sections of community improvement and empowering others to build a more resilient society.
Most recently, Stephen was the Event Coordinator for the Przekrój magazine to celebrate their international launch of their publication in Milwaukee. Stephen also coordinated Wisconsin's annual arts advocacy conference, Create Wisconsin Day.
During the pandemic, Stephen optimized the output of food distribution at The Working Family Bread Basket as the Coordinator with the organization seeing a 300% increase in recipients seeking food assistance from January to April 2020 while navigating a team reduced by 50%.
Stephen holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and seeks to incorporate nonprofit work with policy advocacy at the local, statewide, and federal level.
In his spare time, Stephen enjoys creative living through reading, writing, singing and anything dealing with food, from vegan meals to pastry. Stephen looks forward to supporting VGI’s mission through the lens of wellness in the communities it serves.
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YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS COORDINATORVicky DeGroote is an experienced community outreach leader with a diverse background in education, advocacy, campaign management, and various nonprofit settings. A master’s degree in counseling has equipped Vicky with a unique blend of creative and interpersonal skills.
Throughout her career, Vicky has developed expertise in program development and management, community organizing, case management, youth advocacy, and direct outreach. Her work has included launching after-school programs, engaging in skills coaching, and building community collaborations to support access to opportunities for all.
Vicky’s commitment to community has been expressed through professional and volunteer roles. Passionate about gardening and food security, she has integrated gardening and food preparation into educational programming, utilizing learning gardens to enhance curricula and facilitate connection with students and their families. The continuity in Vicky’s work is centered around a dedication to teach others about environmental sustainability and food independence, making her position at Victory Garden Initiative a natural continuation of those efforts.
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OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANTAshley holds a degree in Psychology with certificates in Cultures and Communities and Childhood and Adolescent Studies. Currently pursuing her master’s at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, she is focused on enhancing accessibility and inclusivity in community spaces. Ashley co-founded sensory-friendly sessions at a local children’s museum and has led DEIA initiatives to promote diversity and equity. Passionate about nonprofit work, she is committed to creating meaningful change in her community through collaboration and advocacy, empowering underserved populations in every role she undertakes.
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COMPOST INTERNI’m a proud student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where I’m majoring in Information Science and Technology with an emphasis on Application Development. I’m thrilled to be part of a nonprofit garden dedicated to sustainability, where I help with composting efforts to support a greener planet. Working with such an inspiring organization has deepened my appreciation for environmental stewardship, which I believe is essential to our future.
