Meet Our Team

Krist’s earliest gardening memory is of pulling carrots from a small dirt plot with her Finnish-Canadian grandmother in Vancouver where she grew up. Her academic journey sprouted in Agroecology at the University of British Columbia and planted her clear across the country in Florida where she studied biochar and carbon sequestration in soils. Kristi’s passion for nurturing sustainable food systems blossomed during her involvement with the Damayan Garden Project and Florida Farm to School Team in Tallahassee. Settling midway in Denver, Kristi became an alumni of DUG’s compost training program in 2019 and is a converted advocate of home vermicomposting. Her composting knowledge and expertise has been put into action as a Garden Leader at Greenway Community Garden. In her free time you’ll find Kristi hiking in aspen groves with her wife JJ and pup Kona, biking through Central Park, practicing yoga at Root to Rise, or dancing with random abandon at a Red Rocks concert.

Fun Fact: Every Fall, Marisa coaches field hockey at East High School! Go Angels!

Osiris is originally from Jacksonville, Florida and has lived all over the country (and even a few places oversees). And while Osiris moved for work, they stayed for the snowy mountains of Colorado. Osiris enjoys bridging their passions for language, community, and stories at DUG and is new to gardening! Osiris is all about holistic wellness and is an avid yogi (you can find Osiris teaching yin at the local climbing gym), passionate powerlifter, and novice climber. When Osiris is not working, they're sipping iced matcha, reading a cheesy romance book, or cuddling with their dog, Betty!

Fun Fact: Osiris speaks Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese!

Shay is from Taos, NM and grew up gardening with his mom in the Ranchos Valley. Shay grew up an avid outdoorsman in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Northern New Mexico. Shay attended the University of Pennsylvania where he studied political science. In college, Shay started his food systems work through a non-profit leading war recovery projects in rural Sierra Leone. Shay helped the organization win funding from the US Department of State to support cooperative farming and food pantries. Shay remains an untamable backcountry fanatic but also enjoys quiet days in with his partner Marley and their two dogs, Franklin and Otis.

Fun fact: He has a dachshund and pug (and they are bffs)

Brit has over 10 years experience in food systems work and began volunteering with DUG in 2014. She is deeply passionate about localizing our food system and deepening knowledge around growing food. Brit holds a Master's Degree in International Development from the Josef Korbel School for International Studies at the University of Denver. Brit enjoys yoga, hiking, reading and gardening with her two daughters, Willa and Indigo, and pup, Max.

Fun fact: Brit has over 50 first cousins!

Izra is incredibly passionate about creating spaces centering equity. They earned a BA in English with a minor in Psychology from Regis University. In the past they’ve worked to provide essential services to folks experiencing homelessness in Denver, increase food security, and publish historically disenfranchised authors. They are thrilled to join the DUG team to further improve the quality of life for Coloradans.

Izra has lived in Denver for the past decade by way of New England. In their free time, they can be found passing time with their cat, swimming, crafting, or reading.

Fun Fact: Izra is a board game and TTRPG collector.

Lara Wirtz Fahnestock has a passion for building community, teaching children where their food comes from and finding places of beauty and healing wherever she can. Lara joined Denver Urban Gardens as a Garden Leader in 2010 and DUG staff in 2015. As the Director of Garden Operations, she coordinates land use with DUG partners, oversees all new garden builds and oversees DUG's Therapeutic Garden Initiative. She has a BA in Biology from the Colorado College, a certificate of Authentic Leadership from Naropa University and is a Licensed Massage Therapist specializing in trauma healing. Lara is currently studying Horticultural Therapy.

Fun fact: Lara is a second degree black belt in taekwondo