Our Team

Kristie Kapp is the Executive Director of Resilient Roots. She is a regenerative landscape designer who focuses on edible and native permaculture designs. Kristie has a master's in ecology from Yale School of Environmental Management and 30 years of farming experience. She has taught farming and gardening to every age group through several different organizations. Combining her two passions, ecology and agriculture, she completed a permaculture landscape design program in 2012 and has been creating landscape designs for clients since. Kristie strives to encourage people to view their environments holistically, incorporating elements of time-honored design and fostering a connection with the natural environment.

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Rachel Todoroff has been slowly creating her garden for many years, mainly from “pilfered” plants. She is a big fan of Resilient Roots workshops. The philosophy of creating a food forest suits her thrifty nature and desire to help her local environment rather than disrupt it. A resident of Hyannis and a long-time administrative assistant at Sturgis Charter Public School. Rachel serves as the President of the Board of Directors

Deb Winther serves as treasurer for Resilient Roots. She retired from MassMutual Financial Group after 35+ years in the financial services sector. Deb is a self-taught perennial gardener and native plant enthusiast. She completed a Permaculture Design Certificate program through Cornell University in 2021. She uses her knowledge of permaculture design principles to create a small forest garden on her property. In recognition of the fragile ecology of Cape Cod, she is relying on edible perennials native to the Cape’s unique ecoregion to create a resilient garden that provides an edible yield while supporting local pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.

Gisele Gauthier serves as the board’s clerk. She is an affordable housing consultant and teaches yoga. Giselle has been a chef in a past life and learned to appreciate fabulous food and that growing the food she cooked brought her heart and soul together. Gisele considers herself a dirt digger, and the idea of turning her whole yard into an edible landscape just thrills her. Gisele lives with her husband in Brewster.

Mark Nelson is an environmental consultant and has worked on water resource protection and land use planning projects on Cape Cod and around the country for the last 30 years. More recently, his work includes planning for climate mitigation and adaptation. Mark has volunteered with Resilient Roots since its inception, supporting the organization's workshops and permablitzes.

Kirsti has a love for all things green and growing, especially herbs and herbal medicine, which are a focus of her spiritual connection with the planet. Resilient Roots community and programs inspire her because they are rooted in the health of the planet. Kirsti is project manager for garden improvements.

Dianne is a landscape designer pairing design with permaculture. She specializes in growing herbs for culinary and medicinal purposes. She is happy to share her yard and expertise with those who are interested. Diane is involved with plant sales.

Will is a creative person who loves putting his hands in the dirt. He loves to see tangible things that his efforts have created, even when it takes a few tries. Being able to keep his mind and body busy while learning and helping others is the gift he receives by involving himself with Resilient Roots.

Jeane loves growing her own food and getting her hands dirty in the garden. She enjoys learning and sharing lessons learned with the community so everyone can grow better together.

Annie has made a career of helping others grow their own food and sustainably manage their gardens. That’s what led her to Resilient Roots. Being a part of this community and watching the growth year after year, and interacting with this community, gives her hope for the future.

Jen appreciates being at Fuller Farm for the valuable lessons she learns that help create a sustainable and attainable garden. She loves to grow food that can be shared with the community while creating a healthier relationship with the land. Jen is joyful, full of warmth and energy; therefore, she is our Volunteer Ambassador.

To Christine, gardening is an ever-growing passion that has connected her to an amazing community of people who value and understand the importance of reconnecting with the natural world and with each other.