Who we are
We bring different ways of knowing to the work.
Caja is led by a small team of practitioners whose experience spans food systems, healthcare, farming, business, finance, restaurants, community organizing, and collaborative governance. What holds us together is a belief that expertise lives in communities, relationships matter, and durable change is built with people rather than for them.
Small by design. Broad in practice.
Executive Director
Systems thinker · researcher · strategist · convener
Sonya connects the pieces. She brings more than two decades of experience across public health nutrition, food systems, Food is Medicine, research, teaching, coalition building, and community-based systems change. Her work focuses on seeing patterns across systems and turning big ideas into structures communities can actually use. Habla español
Finance + Community Relationships
Community health worker · bookkeeper · relationship builder · emerging fundraiser
Christina is a certified Community Health Worker and experienced bookkeeper with a gift for building trust and making people feel seen. She brings financial stewardship together with deep relational intelligence and is expanding her work in community-centered fundraising and development. Christina keeps the people inside the systems visible.
Farm + Place
Organic farmer · land steward · maker · visionary
Dennis brings more than 20 years of organic farming experience and deep experience living and working in consent-based communities. He is also a traditional tanner and maker. Dennis brings a particular ability to see what a place could become and the practical knowledge to begin building it. Contact Dennis for inquiries about: Tool Library, the Farm, Wholesale Food Sales, and general Growing Food tutoring. 828-290-9718dennis@cajasolidaria.org
Enterprise + Community Engagement
Business coach · restaurant leader · community builder · connector
Rene brings a decade of restaurant leadership together with experience in nonprofit outreach, business coaching, and community engagement. He knows how to bring people into an idea, help entrepreneurs find their footing, and create spaces where people want to participate. His work connects enterprise with belonging. Habla español
The folks who jump in when there’s food to grow, something to build, or extra hands are needed.
Bennett
Jeremy
Scott
Board Chair · Chief Financial Officer, FernLeaf Community Charter School and Hickory Nut Gap Farm
Andrea
Secretary · Administrative Assistant, FernLeaf Community Charter School
Harry
Intergenerational Program Manager
Linda
Retired teacher · farmer, Brittain Family Farm · founder, Mills River Farm Market and Field & Kitchen
Laura
Director of Physician Services, AdventHealth
Julia
Director of Pew Learning Center and Ellison Library, Warren Wilson College
Joe
Farmer, Brittain Family Farm · founder, Mills River Farm Market and Field & Kitchen
