Our Team
Shelly Casto
Executive Director
Shelly has 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, primarily in the arts. In recent years, she developed a specialty in studying and working with contemporary artists who focus on issues of ecology and food justice. That led her to spearhead the construction of two “fruit parks” in Columbus with the artist collective Fallen Fruit: the South Side Fruit Park on Reeb Avenue and the Weinland Park Berry Patch at 11th and 4th. She holds a BA in Art History from Oberlin College and an MA in Art Education from the Ohio State University. She is a beginning gardener and an expert home cook.
Nande gilbert
Manager of School and Teen Programs
Nande Gilbert has over 5 years of experience in youth development.She's dedicated her life to giving back to her community, The Hilltop, and learning how to better serve the youth. In previous years she's served at local Elementary schools with City Year, and worked throughout Columbus with Godman Guild, and the Boys and Girls Club. She has a Bachelors of Arts from University of Toledo. She's a child at heart growing her knowledge in gardening and diving into a new facet of youth development. Always a learner.
Paul Kemmer
Garden Manager
Paul possesses over 25 years of experience in organic gardening. Driven by a passion for food security, he has operated a free vegetable stand for more than a decade, utilizing produce from his family's home garden. His expertise includes cultivating over 100 different varieties of heirloom tomatoes, and he has achieved recognition by winning the top prize for the heaviest tomato at the Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival. Additionally, Paul has contributed to his community through volunteer work, donating tomato seedlings and conducting gardening seminars for Habitat for Humanity, where he teaches children and community members sustainable gardening practices!
Sara Moya
Manager for Afterschool and Family Programs
Sara Moya grew up in Austin, Texas but moved to Columbus in 2021 to study Geography at OSU. After volunteering with the Highland Youth Garden for nearly two years, she was inspired to change graduate degrees. Sara is now earning a Master's in Agricultural Education. With a Master's of Science and Bachelor's of Science in Geography from Texas State University, Sara is experienced in educational programming and is interested in the human-environmental relations at the heart of the HYG. As a Latina (Chilean) and immigrant, she is thrilled to continue the garden's collaborative relationship to the Latinx and other marginalized communities of the Hilltop. Sara also works with Nande Gilbert in the Green Teens Summer Program.
CArol Choup
Administrative Coordinator
We are excited to welcome Carol Choup to our team as the new Administrative Coordinator! Having served in administrative and social media management roles, she brings a wealth of experience to our organization. Carol completed the Ohio Women’s Alliance Action Fund’s 2023 Change Makers cohort right before joining us in November 2023. In her new role, Carol will play a critical part in capturing and sharing our organizations work with the public. She’s enthusiastic about attending community events, expanding our programs in The Hilltop area schools, and contributing to the growth of our garden. Most importantly, she’s excited to build relationships with members of the community. Carol also serves as an Ambassador for Seeds of Caring, where she and her son, volunteer to foster kindness among children, creating a more compassionate community. We’re confident that Carol’s passion for social justice will make a significant impact in enhancing our mission at Highland Youth Garden.
Nadia Mulhall
Assistant Garden Educator
Nadia Mulhall has worked for Highland Youth Garden since 2021, filling multiple roles as an educator and gardener. She has 8 years of experience working with children in public schools, outdoor education centers, and a bilingual Montessori school. Nadia is passionate about fostering children's curiosity, confidence, and sense of belonging through outdoor education. She also has ten years of experience gardening and farming, working for an ecological landscaping company and several small vegetable farms. Nadia has a Bachelors of Arts from Antioch College.