Meet our Team
Vanessa Cross
Executive Director
vanessa@togetherwegrowgardens.org
Vanessa has lived in Newark most of her life, and she now lives in Newark with her husband, Doug, and 3 children: Emmett, Jonathan, and Charlotte. Vanessa came to work with TWG during the spring of 2020 and immediately became invested in and passionate about the mission of our work! She loves working with her hands in the gardens and using her organization and office skills inside. She is so excited to be working with us!
Kristin Ambuske
Associate Director
kristin@togetherwegrowgardens.org
Kristin is a Newark native ready to support her hometown. With her husband, Joe, their little family includes a sweet dog, cat, chickens, and beehives. With over 15 years of experience in People Experience (HR), she has helped organizations strengthen company culture and support their employees. After a purposeful pause to focus on her passions and community service, Kristin was drawn to Together We Grow for the same reasons she began beekeeping—her desire to make a difference, connect with the environment, and contribute to our food system. She is excited to support our mission and empower Licking County residents.
Jennie Mason
Here We Grow Gardens Program Director
jennie@togetherwegrowgardens.org
Jennie has lived in Alexandria and
Newark for 24 years with her husband, Doug and 2 dogs, Yogi and Mater. They have 3 children and 5 grandchildren, which they spend as much time with as possible.
She loves being outdoors, working in her yard, quilting and spending time with others. She has been in sales and customer service most her life. Since both retired she feels like working with the Together We Grow family is a perfect fit with all her positive energy.
Terri Miles
Here We Grow Gardens
Assistant Program Director
Terri has lived & worked in the Newark, Licking County area for the majority of her life. Her passion for the outdoors & gardening brought her to TWG in 2023 through a friend. The mission of Together We Grow & and their outreach to the community is exactly what she was looking for.
Jessica Whiteman
Power of Plants
Program Director
powerofplants@togetherwegrowgardens.org
Faye Motsinger
Produce & Soil Project Manager/
AmeriCorp Rural Action Service Member
faye@togetherwegrowgardens.org
Faye is from northern Virginia and moved to the Newark area to serve at Together We Grow as an AmeriCorps Service Member. She just graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science which she'll apply to as the lead on a compost expansion project. She loves working in nature and being a part of the Together We Grow family!