In close partnership with the Executive Director, Veggielution’s Managing Director (MD) is a seasoned leader and coach, operating on strategic, managerial and hands-on levels to guide the organization across programmatic and administrative functions.

The MD has a keen attention to detail, the ability to delegate effectively, a proven track record in motivating and unifying teams and solid organizational, change management, problem-solving, and clear decision-making skills. The MD is comfortable with and committed to fostering the development of staff.

Lead strategic and day-to-day operations of a six-acre community farm located at Emma Prusch Farm Park, managing infrastructure, vehicles, and shared-use coordination with the City of San Jose to ensure aligned stewardship of land and public facilities.

Oversee a multidisciplinary farm and food-sourcing team in the organic, regenerative, and USDA Good Agricultural practices (GAP)-compliant production of specialty crops, yielding over 325,000 pounds of culturally relevant produce annually for community programs and food assistance efforts.

Cultivate cross-sector partnerships with public agencies, nonprofits, and grassroots organizers to leverage shared resources, deepen community impact, and ensure alignment with climate, health, and economic development goals.

Developed and implemented a capital improvement roadmap resulting in the successful completion of a solar-powered refrigeration unit, increasing cold storage capacity from 30 cubic feet to 150 cubic feet.

Secured and managed multi-year food distribution contracts, supporting the assembly and delivery of over 30,000 community food boxes annually, while expanding market access for small, BIPOC-led farms and food entrepreneurs.

Built resilient programmatic and operational systems that integrate environmental sustainability, workforce development, and food justice, positioning the farm as a regional model for equitable food system change.

Led the design and implementation of public realm improvement projects rooted by a public life strategic plan that prioritized vitality, safety, equity, and environmental sustainability in Downtown San Jose.

Managed multi-stakeholder coordination, permitting, and logistics for over 30 street-scale murals painted on vandalized walls, boarded storefronts and parklet barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic—activating vacant spaces, deterring vandalism, and providing paid opportunities to local artists.

Spearheaded a comprehensive capital improvement initiative in partnership with District 2 Council Office, Department of Transportation, and Office of Economic Development to celebrate the Qmunity LGBTQIA+ District, featuring enhanced overhead lighting, a large-scale mural, and three custom-designed crosswalks—encouraging increased foot traffic in the first 6 months.

Oversaw planning and site activation for an interim-use dog park and demonstration garden on a vacant lot, developed in collaboration with private property owner Urban Community and food justice nonprofit Veggielution—demonstrating a replicable model for temporary land use that supports food system justice education and equitable access to garden spaces.

Coordinated a wide range of service providers, from artists and fabricators to architects and maintenance crews, ensuring quality control, community input, and compliance with city guidelines.

Directed the spatial planning and program design of high-visibility public spaces, coordinating with municipalities and property owners to reimagine underutilized sites for community benefit.

Oversaw end-to-end project execution, including client and contractor management, vendor coordination, budget oversight, and operational workflows across multidisciplinary teams.

Led stakeholder engagement processes grounded in cultural sensitivity and inclusion, integrating community voices into design and activation strategies.

Collaborated with city staff, private developers, and civic institutions—such as the City of Fremont and the San Jose Flea Market at Berryessa—to align site use and capital planning with long-term public and cultural goals.

Delivered placemaking strategies that enhanced civic identity while laying the groundwork for infrastructure investment and sustained community programming.

Spearheaded the adaptive reuse of vacant commercial properties and public sites, demonstrating a strong command of facilities planning, permitting, and short-term lease negotiation in collaboration with public and private stakeholders.

Cultivated cross-sector partnerships with Westfield, Whole Foods, the City of San Jose, and Business Improvement Districts to revitalize community spaces and enhance civic engagement with arts and creative culture commerce

Secured event permits, oversaw vendor logistics, and managed build-outs for pop-up markets and exhibitions, demonstrating end-to-end project management from vision through implementation.

Positioned the organization as a model for creative placemaking and local economic development, culminating in a successful sale to community events firm, Moveable, in 2017.