
Meet The Team


Staff Members


Jodi joined the Growing High Point team in 2023, serving as the agency's third executive director. Inspired by her Leadership Winston-Salem experience, Jodi chose to leave a 20-plus year career in publishing and dive into the nonprofit world at Big Brothers Big Sisters Services as director of agency relations, where she worked prior to joining Capital Development Services, a fundraising consulting firm, as director of client services. In this role, she had the benefit of working with nonprofit organizations throughout the Southeast. Growing up in western Pennsylvania, Jodi graduated from Slippery Rock University as a first-generation college student. She went on to earn her MBA from Gardner-Webb University. She has volunteered extensively and believes that helping people overcome obstacles, whether it's providing access to healthy food or teaching them to operate an agribusiness, benefits society as a whole.
Jodi Sarver​
Executive Director

Caroline has a B.A. in Environmental & Sustainability Studies with minors in Sociology and Spanish from Elon University and has embarked on a career exploring and supporting food systems in North Carolina. Previously working for N.C. Cooperative Extension in Guilford County, she carries a passion for sustainable agriculture and connecting the High Point community with resources to promote food security and food empowerment. Caroline joined Growing High Point as the Farm to Table Coordinator in September of 2024. She works to promote access to fresh, local produce through community Growdega stops while connecting with local farmers to aggregate produce. When not working, you’ll find Caroline experimenting with a new recipe, creating macrame art, or tending to her container garden at home.
Caroline DiGrande
Farm to Table Coordinator

Ryanna studied psychology and entomology at NC State University and now lives in Jamestown with her partner, Brandon, and their three cats. She carries strong commitment to serving the greater High Point community, bringing over seven years of experience as an educator in High Point and serving as a board member for the local non-profit GO FAR. Ryanna’s journey with Growing High Point began as a Farmer in Training in 2023. She now supports farm operations and manages the tea and herb program. Outside of GHP, she is starting her own farm and enjoys growing flowers and herbs.
Ryanna Henderson
Operations Coordinator

Caroline Rodden was born and raised in High Point. She spent much of her youth exploring outdoors and learning all about gardening and plants. She graduated from UNC Greensboro with a degree in English and a minor in Political Science. Caroline worked in the government and tech industry before taking some time off to raise her four kids. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, cycling and spending time with her family. Caroline has been working as a Growdega Associate since January 2025.
Caroline Rodden
Growdega Associate

Sydney holds a B.A. in Environment and Sustainability with a minor in Biology and a concentration in Natural Sciences from UNC Greensboro. She is passionate about sustainable agriculture and currently works in the Greensboro and High Point area growing and selling locally sourced organic produce. Her hands-on work with aquaponic, hydroponic, and aeroponic systems has fueled a strong passion for sustainable and cutting-edge growing techniques. She now applies this knowledge part-time at the PDYF Community Garden in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she helps combat food insecurity through these soilless methods. In June 2025, Sydney joined Growing High Point as a Growdega Associate, supporting the distribution of fresh, local produce through mobile Growdega stops in surrounding neighborhoods. Outside of her agricultural work, Sydney serves in her faith community at Kings Cross Church as a women’s event planner and a college ministry volunteer.
Sydney Wray
Growdega Associate

Amanda joined our team as the food hub manager in February 2023. She has a passion for cultivating plants. She specializes in environmental biology, sustainable development, and plant propagation. Additionally, she enjoys sharing with others the knowledge that she’s gained through her own education and growing experiences. Empowering members of the community with fundamental information about plants is essential to building connections among people and their environment. Growing High Point provides opportunities for the community to access their potential in ways that she has been pursuing her entire life. Her methodology is to plant a garden, feed a family, build a business, and share with neighbors. Amanda was promoted to the role of Director of Operations in July 2024.
Amanda Mitchell
Director of Farm Operations

Lauren recently graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Public Health and a minor in Nutrition. In her senior year, Lauren served as an Undergraduate Research Fellow with Appalachian State’s Public Health AmeriCorps, where she discovered her passion for public health and her commitment to improving community access to essential services. Currently, she is pursuing her Master of Public Health (MPH) at UNCG. Outside of work and class, Lauren enjoys exploring new restaurants, cheering on Appalachian State Athletics, and gardening.
Lauren Maske
Program Manager

Kimberly is a High Point native with Cherokee heritage. She enjoys her work with Growing High Point, especially meeting and interacting with new people. Passionate about helping the community and supporting those in need, Kimberly finds great satisfaction in her role at the food hub, where she manages and organizes the fresh produce that comes in.
Kimberly Gibson
Food Hub Manager

Iya was born in High Point but spent much of his youth in Washington, D.C., returning to HP every summer to work on family farms. After joining the Air Force, he gained knowledge about diverse soil types across the country, which enriched his farming skills. Upon returning to the Triad, he joined his family’s Long Term Care Corporation, rising to COO while focusing on food safety and elderly nutrition, and serving on the NC Association of Long Term Care Facilities board. At the same time, he ran his family’s hobby farm in Pfafftown, NC, until it was tragically destroyed by fire. In 2016, he became the first Farm Leader at the Greenhouses on Pershing, helped build them with High Point Community Against Violence, and launched Heartical Produce Farmacy. Though personal challenges led him to step back, Iya has now returned to Growing High Point, continuing his mission to combat food insecurity in the community.
Iya Chavis
Growdega Associate

Aliyah Daley is an educator, homeschooling mom, and certified garden educator with a master’s degree in education. She is the founder of Daley Balance, a holistic education and wellness organization that supports homeschooling families through garden-based learning, community building, and access to educational resources. Ali’s work focuses on creating meaningful learning experiences that nurture the whole child and empower families to learn, grow, and thrive together.
Aliyah Daley
FarmHer

Katy earned a dual degree in History and Anthropology from Emory University in Atlanta, where she first discovered her passion for farming and food access work. With experience as an urban farm and school garden manager, and food hub coordinator, she has developed expertise in local sourcing, agricultural education, and implementing cooking and nutrition programs. Throughout her career, Katy has been dedicated to serving and advocating for underserved communities, recognizing the importance of ongoing community involvement in all initiatives. She recently earned a Master of Urban Planning with a focus on Housing & Community Development from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Newly settled in the Piedmont Triad area with her husband, Katy is committed to closing the gap between food access and community development in her new home
Katy Lydon McGreevy
Director of Business Development

Andre was born and raised in the city of High Point, and has become a community member at large with years of farming experience. Andre runs Drozik’s Urban Farms which consist of three urban farms, Thissell Grow Urban Farm, Furlough Youth Garden, and Garden in the Hood. Andre has been invested in educating youth in the neighborhood for several years. Andre has grown a wide range of seasonal vegetables and cultural cultivars using organic practices. Andre has been with GHP as an urban farm leader since 2017 and officially joined our team as our Community Outreach specialist in January 2023. He works closely with our Youth Employees to provide them mentorship and guidance while working alongside us in agribusiness.
Andre Davis
Community Liaison

Stevie, a North Carolina native, holds a B.S. degree in Zoology from NC State University. She has a professional background in animal husbandry, specifically as an aquarist. Stevie has lived in High Point for five years and became connected with Growing High Point (GHP) through the farmers market, the farm share program, previous volunteer experiences, and GHP’s beekeeping program. Last year, she completed an internship at The Farm and Forge, a regenerative farm specializing in raising forest-raised heritage breed hogs and pasture-raised chickens.
Stevie Forrister
FarmHer
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Originally from eastern North Carolina, she has called Guilford County home for the past 15 years. A mother of two and a thyroid cancer survivor, her diagnosis in 2022 sparked a commitment to a healthier lifestyle. This journey deepened her passion for herbal medicine and honey. She now manages the bees at Growing High Point, where she has gained hands-on experience with beekeeping, herbs, and dehydration. She looks forward to using her skills to support and uplift the community.
Brittany Baines
FarmHer

Lydia is proud to be part of Growing High Point’s farm team — a group that feels more like family. Through her work in the fields, she’s learned that growth isn’t just about what’s planted, but about who we become. Each sunrise brings new lessons in patience, teamwork, and resilience. Lydia takes pride in caring for the land, nurturing the seeds, and watching both the crops and the people around her grow stronger. She believes that every small effort matters and that the roots we cultivate today will shape tomorrow’s harvest. 🌻
Lydia Kemigisa
FarmHer
Our Board

Randy Carda is an Air Force brat, allowing him to live all over the world and the USA, but has called High Point home since 1993. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in kinesiology in 1974 and coached swimming until he earned his MBA in 1986 and moved to North Carolina to begin his banking career. He retired in 2022 from Pinnacle Bank. Randy is an avid vegetable and landscape gardener. He enjoys exercising, golfing, cooking for friends and family, and international travel. “I have been given many gifts and believe deeply that much is expected of me. I am committed to returning those gifts through my volunteer activities, especially Growing High Point. I love helping people learn how to grow their own nutritious food and being part of an organization that provides access to healthy food.”
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Randy Carda
Board Chair

Dell grew up in public housing as the youngest of four children in a single-parent household. Determined to break cycles of generational poverty, he became the first in his family to attend college, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from Barber-Scotia College in 1997. After graduation, Dell immediately returned to High Point, eager to give back to the very community that shaped him. His career has since been defined by servant leadership, mentorship, and strategic initiatives aimed at fostering economic and social mobility. Career & Leadership in Youth Development Dell began his professional journey as an Education Director for the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club in 1997, where he was responsible for academic programs, student performance tracking, and behavioral interventions. Recognizing his ability to connect with youth and build impactful programs, he quickly rose through the ranks. Dell currently serves as Executive Director for the Macedonia Family Resource Center.
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Pridell "Dell" McCormick
Secretary

Jim Gooding is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, serving the High Point area from his office at 144 Westchester Drive. With deep roots in High Point, Jim is committed to helping individual investors build long-term wealth through retirement, college savings, estate planning, and business ownership strategies.
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Jim Gooding
Board Member

Orrick Quick Sr. is a motivational speaker, pastor, and native of High Point, NC. A graduate of NC State and founder of God Seekers Church, Orrick is known for his powerful voice, community outreach, and commitment to helping others find purpose. In 2024, he won the Great American Speak Off, gaining national recognition for his message of transformation and hope.
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Reverend Orrick Quick
Board Member

At age 18 I organized my first protest which helped to persuade a city council decision regarding the legality of skateboard use in downtown High Point. In my early 20's I was taking part in farm labor organizing events. Taking Horticultural classes and volunteering in Nurseries. After the death of my father I decided to put all of my energy into the business he raised me to be a part of. Today I spend more time than I should keeping our family business moving forward. When not working at our Garden Center I am raising my own family. I believe that Farming and Gardening can solve most of our countries problems regarding physical and mental health.
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Ralph Soviero
Board Member

Lee Gann is one of the founding members of Growing High Point. He currently serves as the High Point Farmers Market manager at the High Point Public Library. In addition to this, he also runs his own farm stand, and has been known to set up around at other community sites.
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Lee Gann
Vice Chair

Casey Cheek is an architect and lifestyle creator who blends her expertise in design with her passion for food and home. Originally from New York, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Tennessee and began her career in Nashville before relocating to High Point five years ago with her husband, a High Point native. She now works full-time for a Nashville-based architectural firm while also running her growing platform as a content creator, where she shares her passion for “creating cozy recipes and a cozy home.” Her dual career reflects a deep commitment to design, creativity, and the ways our environments shape daily life. As a new mom, she brings a fresh perspective on building strong, healthy communities for future generations. Her professional expertise in architecture, combined with her work inspiring others to embrace nourishing food and welcoming homes, aligns closely with Growing High Point’s mission to expand access to local food systems, improve community well-being, and create vibrant spaces that bring people together.
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Casey Cheek
Board Member

Smedes Lindner is a Realtor/Broker with Allen Tate in High Point working with residential properties and land. She made this transition in 2020 from residential interior design. Previously, Smedes was a designer with Ayrshire Interiors for 20 years both in NC and Connecticut. She is an active member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church where she is or has been involved in many committees up to senior warden. The two most relevant are the bi-annual church fundraising Gala and serving on the vestry when the St. Mary's Friendship Table was coming together. She was the chair/co-chair of Taste of the Town for most of the 7 years that she was on the board of Hospice of the Piedmont. She also was the treasurer and chaired the finance committee. Smedes has a B.A. from Duke University in Art Design and a A.A.S. from New York School of Interior Design. She is married to her husband, Doug Lindner where they have 5 mostly grown wonderful children that live all over the country and two very spoiled dogs
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Smedes Lindner
Board Member

Dr. Telisha Roberts is dedicated to creating stronger ecosystems where people and businesses can be successful. She brings 26 years of corporate experience in marketing and strategy development and currently serves as Executive Director of Thrive 2.0 with the High Point Chamber of Commerce. In this role, she supports the growth and sustainability of local small businesses, ranging from startups to established companies generating over $2M annually. Thrive 2.0 small business support includes one-on-one business coaching, small group technical training, connections with large businesses, and targeted resources. The goal is simple: to help local entrepreneurs achieve revenue growth, sustainability, job creation, and long-term success. With a curiosity for the science of growing food, Dr. Roberts believes healthy food systems are as essential as healthy business systems. Both nourish growth, opportunity, and resilience. Through Growing High Point, she is excited to support thriving food systems and help neighborhoods flourish from the ground up.
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Dr. Telisa Roberts
Board Member

Meyakka is known for her willingness in sharing with others the knowledge that she’s gained through her own education and career pathways experiences. Empowering citizenry of the community with foundational practices, removing the poverty mindset, demonstrating the power of growth from within. As a native, I've learned how Growing High Point provides opportunities for the community to access their potential in ways that I've has been pursuing my whole life. My success mantra is to plant your seeds, build up as they sprout and share with neighbors. Fostering a strong "village like" community. With a 26 year career in telecommunications and marketing, Meyakka has been dedicated to serving and advocating for minorities in underserved communities, recognizing the importance of ongoing community involvement, engagement and empowerment in all aspects of life. You truly are a representative of your home town and it's great to be able to add value where it's often taken for granted.
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Meyakka V. Sturdivant
Board Member

Weston Fischer, a High Point native, brings over seven years of banking and financial experience to his role as Vice President and Branch Manager at Fidelity Bank in High Point. A graduate of BYU’s Marriott School of Business, Weston is passionate about serving his community both professionally and personally. He’s actively involved with the High Point Chamber of Commerce, a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary, a Notary Public, and a leader within ElevateHP, the city's young professionals network. Weston lives in High Point with his wife, Camille, and their three sons.
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Wes Fischer
Treasurer

Coming soon!
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Lynn Finnegan
Board Member

Michelle McNair was born in Washington, DC and grew up between DC and North Carolina. Currently, she's the Community Resource Manager for the City of High Point, with various responsibilities in neighborhood and community assistance. She's served on numerous boards and committees in High Point and Greensboro. After graduating with a BA in Psychology from Winston Salem State University, she was commissioned as an officer for the United States Army, and recognized with both military and civilian honors. She has traveled all over the United States and to eight different countries. She is a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Inc. in Greensboro, NC. She's a graduate of Leadership High Point, Community Development Academy, Officer Basic and Advance Courses, Combined Arms and Service Staff School and Facilitation Training Course
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Michelle McNair
Board Member

Meghan Sink is a wife and mother to two boys. Her family lives on a farm with many animals and enjoys spending time in nature, whether exploring the woods or playing sports together. She is passionate about many things, including painting, gardening, nature, animal rescue, and giving back to the community as much as possible. Meghan is very excited to join the Growing High Point Board and contribute to its wonderful mission.
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Meghan Sink
Board Member

Tom is a High Point native, attorney, and financial manager of his family's 752-acre farm in Randolph County. He has raised chickens and guineas and presently has a flock of over 80 guineas of many varieties, plus a small orchard. He and his wife, Gaither, have two grown sons, Joseph and Patrick who, like Tom, grew up attending local public schools. He is a proud member of a local Quaker congregation (Springfield Friends Meeting) that just celebrated its 252 years in High Point, and his ancestors were there at the beginning. Professionally, he represents developers and local governments on growth-related matters. He has deep roots in the mining, renewable energy, and solid waste/trash industries, and he also represents clients who develop commercial, industrial, and residential projects.
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Tom Terrell
Board Member
Past Board Members

Founder and Board Chair, Dr. Patrick Harman, a High Point native, has been the Executive Director of the Hayden-Harman Foundation since April 2001. He is responsible for giving recommendations as well as monitoring and guiding the Foundation’s processes for determining charitable activities. In 2016, the Foundation began a core city neighborhood transformation initiative, Growing High Point, that is focusing on developing urban farming microenterprises, renovating homes to increase home ownership, and engaging residents through community events. In 2019, he initiated Resilience High Point, which encourages public, private, and non-profit collaborations that support a compassionate community of promise and opportunity empowering all residents to thrive. He is a founding board member of the Friends of John Coltrane and serves on the board of Forward High Point. In his off-time, Dr. Harman enjoys reading, traveling, and playing guitar for his church.
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Patrick Harman
Founder & Former Board Chair
Kristin Boggs
Rishaunda Ewings Moses
Tanya Boone

Contact Details
710 Washington St.
High Point, North Carolina, 27260




