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MEET THE TEAM

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GAYLE WOODSUM

Founder and Director

(She/Her/Ki/Kin) I am an award-winning writer and speaker with international experience in community organizing for social change since the early 1980s.  I am president and chief executive officer for Action Resources International (ARI), a Wyoming based nonprofit organization dedicated to ending violence and promoting safety through a variety of community-strengthening efforts that are community-based, designed, and led. In 2009, I launched the Feeding Laramie Valley project through ARI, in an effort to expand resources and create equitable collaborations among various community food, health, and social justice programs. 

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LINA DUNNING

Community Engagement Director

(She/ Her) I serve as the statewide AmeriCorps VISTA coordinator for Action Resources International, in addition to managing several FLV programs and documenting the area’s food history and future through interviews and videos. I grew up in a small town on the coast of Maine. After graduating from the University of Maine with a master’s degree in Community Development I worked as a community educator with the Cooperative Extension Service. My experiences there led me to focus on the urgent issues facing women and children including family planning and sexual violence. Now living in Wyoming, surrounded by mountains instead of the ocean, I am working as a community-based social change activist to understand the role that food insecurity plays in keeping women trapped in abusive relationships and how to make healthy, fresh food available to those in need.

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SANDY MOODY

Program Support Services Coordinator

I was born and raised in Laramie and have raised my three children here as well. I attended the University of Wyoming and completed a certificate program at Laramie County Community College. Having worked many years at UW and for the Albany County school district I landed at Feeding Laramie Valley. Working part-time cleaning the old Ft. Sanders building at LaBonte Park, I also took on several temporary jobs from watering gardens to assisting with the inaugural years of FLV’s free summer lunch program and the Higher Ground Fair. Now full-time at Feeding Laramie Valley, I am the coordinator of  Kids Out to Lunch and logistics coordinator for the annual Higher Ground Fair.

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SARAH GRAY

Shares Production Manager

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(She/Her) Originally rooted in the New York Finger Lakes region, I have lived across the U.S and Asia and am beyond humbled to be settling in Laramie. I recently graduated from Chatham University with a B.A in Sustainability and Food Studies. Over the years I have held positions in regenerative farming, agricultural research and community organizing, where I have my found a passion in using farming, food, and culture to go beyond breaking bread. I am excited to continue the mission of creating a more resilient food system with FLV learning more about Laramie community. In my free time I am usually hands deep in the soil, mountain biking, reading novels, food writing or making ferments! 

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STEFANI SALAS

Shares Production Assistant Manager

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(She/They) I grew up splitting half my year between rural Laramie and the Colorado Front Range. I moved to Chicago fresh out of high school to pursue a degree in Graphic and Fashion Design, then moved to Denver and received a trade certification in Culinary Arts. Coming from a background of subsistence farmers and a decade in food service, I believe food is the corner stone of community. I'm excited to serve my community and learn from my coworkers to be a better food producer. In my free time I enjoy working on my homestead, archery, and getting put into the Snowies.

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FRANKIE THORNE

Shares Distribution Coordinator

(They/Them) Hi! I am a Wyoming native, born in Casper. I moved to Laramie in the summer of 2014. I am a summer shares associate. In my free time I enjoy making music and especially playing my cello. 

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JACOB MUNTZER

Mobile Market Coordinator

(They/Them) I am one of the Mobile Market Operators, I grew up in rural Casper, and Laramie, Wyoming. I'm excited to be working here because I have a strong sense to serve my community and want to fight food insecurity. I worked in food service before this; outside of work, I enjoy video games, writing my webtoon, and currently am one of the local drag queens in town.

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MEARA HILL

Full Year AmeriCorps VISTA

(They/She) Originally from Virginia, I've lived all over the country including Texas, Oklahoma, and now Wyoming. I'm a librarian by trade and I've spent nearly a decade working and volunteering with libraries across the southern plains creating spaces of learning and free access to information to the public in the communities I’ve served. The experience I gained during that time, combined with my experience living in and serving a cooperative housing community have instilled a firm belief that communities thrive when collaboration, diversity, and local action are celebrated. Now I'm so excited to be working at FLV to advocate for food access and education!

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ALLEN GONZALES

Full Year AmeriCorps VISTA Leader

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(He/Him) I am a native of Southern California, born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, and earned my Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Cal State Long Beach in 2018. Following graduation, I served in the Peace Corps as a TEFL Volunteer in the town of Sokal, Ukraine. I co-taught English, hosted English Clubs, both in schools and in my town’s library, and led public speaking clubs from 2018 until the agency wide evacuation in 2020. I’m excited to be serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA at Feeding Laramie Valley. As someone who benefited from school lunch ticket programs in elementary school, receiving nutritious food is of the utmost importance. I am also excited to learn more about Laramie and the community and devote a year to being a part of the solution to food insecurity in America. In my free time, I love watching older movies from the 60’s to the 90’s, cooking, collecting records, playing board games, hiking, and traveling to new places in Wyoming.

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COLLIN BALLARD

Full Year AmeriCorps VISTA

(He/Him) I was born and grew up in Laramie, so I’ve always had an appreciation for the mountains and the snow! I graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2016 with a degree in Religious Studies and International Studies. After attending a graduate program at the University of Washington, I decided that I would rather serve my community through direct action than through academia. I moved back to Laramie and found my way to Feeding Laramie Valley’s Mobile Market program. I believe that everyone deserves access to healthy meals, so I’m very excited to dive into the world of food security, and I’m even more excited to serve the community I love so much. In my spare time, I enjoy jogging, hiking, camping, and anything that can get me outdoors!

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ROWAN AZOOZ

Full Year AmeriCorps VISTA

(He/Him) I was born in Illinois and came to Wyoming following an urge to explore and learn, as well as put back into the community. Having just recently graduated from high school, I'm eager to establish myself in this world, and I'm hoping that starting off working with food insecurity with FLV will help teach me valuable skills in interacting and connecting with communities, as well as allow me to help people directly. I deeply love learning, from history to science, and have varying skills in technology and crafts. I'm very excited to be working in Laramie for the next year, learning its history and meeting its people

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ANNA ILLES

AmeriCorps State & National

(She/They)Hello everyone, my name is Anna and I'm originally from sunny California! I recently finished my bachelor's degree in speech therapy, and am excited to spend my summer in Laramie. I'm excited to gain skills for providing horticultural therapy, and apply what I learned about food security to the local community. I'm all about addressing public determinants of health, especially preventative factors like robust food systems for all! Community gardens are an untapped resource in both rehabilitation and social justice, that are a place for communities to connect with each other. I'm particularly interested in how these spaces can serve a role in sustainability, and teach the next generation about caring for the planet. In my free time, I enjoy studying anthropology, public health, history, and music!

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CHLOE FLEGLER-HESS

VISTA Summer Associate

(She/Her) I'm originally from Connecticut, spent my first year of college in Maine, and eventually moved to Wyoming to attend UW. I fell in love with Laramie for its close-knit and diverse community, along with the beautiful landscapes surrounding it. I'm currently working towards a bachelor's degree in Zoology, and I plan to work in wildlife management or research. I love animals, but I'm also passionate about sustainability and conservation in agriculture. I'm excited to work with FLV for the chance to gain a deeper understanding of food systems. In my free time, I'll usually be birdwatching, hiking, or playing video games!

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KYLER SMITH

VISTA Summer Associate

(He/Him) I grew up in the front range area of Colorado, mostly Colorado Springs, and I'm currently working towards my Bachelor's degree in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. I believe that creating sustainable, equitable, community-driven systems is vital for making a world that we all want to live in, and food systems are probably the best place to start! I'm thrilled to have a job where I'll gain hands-on experience with the things I'm learning about in school, and be part of the solution to food insecurity. I like to do anything that gets me out in nature, especially hiking and backpacking, and I'm excited to have a job where I'll get to spend a large portion of my time outside!

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SIMONA WAMBEKE

VISTA Summer Associate

(She/Her) Originally from Cody, WY, I moved to Laramie in 2020 to pursue my undergraduate degree from UW. Now that I have obtained my undergraduate degree, I will be continuing my education at UW. In the fall, I will begin to pursue my M.S in finance as well as MPA with a focus in nonprofit organizations. I have worked very closely with other nonprofits in town as well as been a student employee in the Service, Leadership, and Community Engagement (SLCE) office on campus, so I am looking forward to getting connected with FLV and the community they serve this summer

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ALEX MORENO

VISTA Summer Associate

(He/Him) I've been a Laramie resident for 22 years. I like outdoor activities, playing guitar, and video games. I'm excited to work with feeding Laramie valley because I'll be helping the community I've been a part of for so long.

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NADIA EICKBUSH

VISTA Summer Associate

(She/her) Hi, my name is Nadia. I recently got married and had a baby. I was born and raised here in Laramie, Wyoming. Planning on finishing school and getting an associate degree in Natural Resource Management. 

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