Our Team

FOUNDER , LEAD EDUCATOR & STRATEGIST

Denà holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Delaware and trained as a chef at the Institute of Culinary Education. A UC Master Gardener and UC Master Food Preserver, she brings together food systems education, ecological design, and community care. Through Edible Origins, she works with schools, healthcare institutions, and community partners to create gardens and programs that nourish people, care for the land, and strengthen communities.

ARROYO FARM LAB SITE LEAD & OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Alan Melgoza-Calderón is a Cal Poly Pomona Plant Science graduate with experience in farm-to-school education, community agriculture, and workforce training. He leads Adult Transition garden programs for students from Arroyo and Duarte High Schools, helping learners build practical skills and connect with food and the land. His love of insects brings curiosity and discovery to hands-on learning.

DUARTE FARM LAB SITE LEAD & AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS LEAD TEACHER

Pedro is a USC graduate who brings experience in farming, storytelling, and outdoor education to his work with young people. Over the past four years, he has worked and volunteered at farms, school gardens, and nurseries across Los Angeles. He writes the Los Angeles Times’ twice-monthly plants newsletter and leads camping trips for teens. A former Dodgers sportswriter, he brings curiosity and a gift for connection to the garden and beyond.

CULINARY LEAD TEACHER

Celine Lo is a UC Berkeley graduate with experience in nutrition education, community programming, and youth mentorship. She brings a love of nourishing food and ecological care to hands-on culinary lessons that connect students with what they grow and eat. A California Naturalist and certified Interpretive Guide, she creates welcoming spaces for curiosity, creativity, and learning.

GARDEN EDUCATION ASSISTANT

Violet Gonzalez brings a background in agricultural plant science at Pasadena City College and experience in recreation programming and community service. Her hands-on work includes tending edible gardens at The Huntington and supporting habitat restoration at the Audubon Center at Debs Park. Bilingual and committed to inclusion, she helps create welcoming learning experiences that connect students with gardening, food, and the natural world.

LEAD ARBORIST & CITY OF HOPE GARDEN MANAGER

Capri is a Los Angeles–based land steward and educator who also works at Arlington Garden. Their work centers California native plants, fruit trees, and edible and medicinal plants. With teaching experience spanning pre-K through college and adult learning, they help students connect with the land through hands-on exploration of ecology and horticulture.

LEAD DESIGNER & ESTIMATOR

Heather Wu is a landscape designer and graduate of UCLA Extension’s Landscape Architecture program. Her work spans educational, healthcare, community, and residential spaces, with a focus on edible landscapes, native plants, and water-conscious design. She also supports garden stewardship and community engagement at Arlington Garden in Pasadena. Through thoughtful design and hands-on care, she creates outdoor spaces that invite learning, nurture connection, and support resilient ecosystems.