Team

Board of Directors

  • Susan currently serves as Secretary on the Oko Urban Farms, Inc. Board. She has over 20 years’ experience in organizing, fundraising, event planning and public speaking for not-for-profit organizations. Over the past six years her public spirit has prompted her to focus on organizations that build food security including food pantries, soup kitchens and urban farms. Susan’s motivation and energy stems from her deep concern about the welfare of others.

  • Nhadine joins the Oko Farms board from the Heron Foundation, where she most recently served as its Managing Vice President. Nhadine is passionate about large scale social impact and organizational effectiveness, and brings to the board over 25 years of diverse experience in the non-profit, legal and banking sectors. Her career, which has included executive roles at organizations from the Girl Scouts of the USA, Mission Investors Exchange and Living Cities, has been dedicated to supporting the people, places, and organizations working to make our communities and the world a better place for all. Nhadine has called Brooklyn home for over 30 years. She is an avid rooftop gardener and is a long-standing supporter of local farming via her neighborhood Community Supported Agriculture.

  • Greg guides the design and installation of the various aquaponics methods shown on the farm; manages the aquaponics systems; supports all Oko Farms design build workshops; and provides overall farm site maintenance and support.

    He also co-leads Oko Farms’ design/build program including design, construction and technical support. Greg is an alumni of Oko Farms’ 7-month Aquaponics Training Program and joined the team in 2019.

  • Yemi Amu is the Founder and Director of Oko Urban Farms, Inc. In 2013 she established NYC’s first and only publicly accessible out door aquaponics farm - The Oko Farms Aquaponics Farm and Education Center. She directs all of Oko Farms' programs including education, design/build projects and community related activities. Yemi is one of NYC’s leading aquaponics expert and is a committed educator. Over the past decade, she has facilitated the creation and maintenance of over 20 edible spaces throughout NYC; created and implemented various culinary, nutrition and gardening programs for both youth and adults; and promotes aquaponics as a tool for environmental awareness and stewardship. Yemi has a M.A. in Health and Nutrition Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. In 2021, Yemi became part of the inaugural cohort of the Dorchester Industries Experimental Design Lab created by Theaster Gates and Prada.

  • Michael brings over 25 years of experience of financial and management experience to Oko Urban Farms including Accounting/Finance, SEC reporting, Tax reporting and Financial Statement preparation. He has played a key role in managing the financial affairs of various companies including Abyssinian Development Corp, Intuit, Halsey Street Advisors, Mentoring In Medicine and others.

  • Lisa is the President of the Oko Urban Farms, Inc. Board. She has spent her career in the community development field in both management and consulting capacities. While Chief Operating Officer at Northeast Brooklyn Housing Development Corporation (NEBHDCo), she oversaw Community Programs, Fiscal, Home ownership, Human Resources, Asset & Property Management and Real Estate Development for the $109 million organization.