Our Team

Whitney Lingle

Executive Director

Whitney Lingle has been working in food access for over 20 years. While working and volunteering in various aspects of the food world, Whitney trained as an anthropologist at Ball State University and went on to do several research projects on food production and consumption. For the last 10 years, they have been working in Philadelphia-area nonprofit organizations focused on older adults. Arriving at Greener Partners is a welcome return to their true passion of supporting food access and education for all.

Amy Johnson

Director of Operations

With more than 20 years experience in organic agriculture, Amy’s passion for farming began in a food crops course in college. After several years of agricultural internships and running a CSA, she co-founded Greener Partners in 2008, where she continues to pursue her passion for educating people of all ages about growing their own food.

Chamir James

Program Director

For Chamir, education has always been about more than what happens in a classroom. He believes the most meaningful learning experiences happen when people can connect knowledge to their lives, their communities, and the world around them. As Program Director at Greener Partners, Chamir leads educational and community-based initiatives that inspire healthy living, environmental stewardship, and equitable access to fresh food. He works alongside schools, community organizations, volunteers, and families to create engaging programs that empower people to build healthier communities while developing a deeper connection to the environment. Chamir brings a diverse background in higher education, nonprofit leadership, youth development, and community engagement. Before joining Greener Partners, he served as an Academic Advisor at Delaware County Community College, where he supported hundreds of students in achieving their academic and career goals while leading initiatives that promoted student success, educational access, and community partnerships. He also taught science through Harcum College’s Upward Bound program, where he developed hands-on lessons that connected biology and chemistry with agriculture, sustainability, and real-world problem solving.

River Wichmann

Deaver Wellness Farm Manager

River Wichmann has been working within the Philadelphia food system for nearly 10 years. Their experience of working on organic diversified vegetable farms, coupled with working in food retail gives them a unique perspective on the current structure of the food system and a passion for doing what they can to improve the way fresh food circulates in and around urban environments. They strive to connect people to how their food grows, and view food as a tool to build community. In their position of Farm Manager at Deaver Wellness Farm they connect patients facing food insecurity with fresh food, as well as assist the Farmer/Educator in ensuring that Deaver serves as an immersive education experience for a diverse audience. 

Ilya Blender

Deaver Wellness Farm - Farmer/Educator

Ilya Blender is a Farmer/Educator at Deaver Wellness Farm, where they grow produce for under- and uninsured patients and lead food-as-medicine education programs to school groups. They came to this role after completing a Seedkeeping apprenticeship through Pasa, learning how to steward seeds for generations to come. Ilya has also organized land-based arts programming that connects ecological stewardship with creative practice. They value the reciprocity of education and land work, learning from their students and letting the land teach. They hope to draw students, patients, and healthcare workers nearer to Deaver as a nourishing space to be present with Earth.

Jenny Dunker

Program Manager

Jenny Dunker has been leading education and coordinating programming for the Farm Explorer since 2016. Jenny‘s 6 years of organic farming developed her passion for sharing healthy and delicious food with students and their communities. She is a master at encouraging young people and adults to make connections between thriving plants, diverse ecosystems, and healthy food choices – tying together science,
nutrition, and wellness.

Atiba Ellerby

Program Educator

Atiba is a Philadelphia native and an urban farmer, educator, and community organizer with over 16 years in growing food, teaching, and building food access programs. His work spans urban and rural farming, hydroponics, greenhouse management, and farm-to-table cooking–blending technical expertise with a passion for food justice. Atiba leads our innovative farm-to-school program, the Farm Explorer, and Healthy Schools Project activities in West Philadelphia.

Floey Zhao

Program Educator

Floey brings to Greener Partners a background in biology, sustainable agriculture, and education. She believes in the power of education and loves igniting a passion for food, health, and the great outdoors in others. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing guitar, gardening, and memorizing the scientific names of random plant species.

Jonathan Hamm

Program Educator

Jon helped to launch the Farm Explorer’s mobile program in 2013 and seeks to engage students in all stages of the food cycle. Since his time in the PeaceCorps, Jon has led workshops on plants, herbs, soils, nutrition, and farm ecosystems.

Luca Rogoff

Program Educator

Luca comes to Greener Partners with a decade in outdoor education and community organizing experience. They love the process of getting connected—to our food, to each other, and to our communities— through exploration, freedom, and play. Most recently, he piloted the Teen Garden Program at Jane Addams Place family shelter in Philadelphia. Using low-impact growing techniques from their time in organic farming, they aim to foster food systems that strengthen the autonomy, stewardship, and health of both land and people. They hold a combined degree in Food, Nutrition, and Systems of Power in the U.S.