RaijaMederios (he/him)is Green Garden Bakery’s Chief Financial Officer and Vice President. He is 16 years old and is a 10th grader at FAIR School for the Arts. His role in GGB grew through his family connections within the community. He joined Heritage Park’s summer program at the age of 7 years old . He witnessed his cousin Autumn, a GGB Alumni baking within the community and was inspired to join! Raija loved baking and also saw an opportunity for growth and signed up every year until he was able to join. Once in GGB , Raija initially participated in the bake team but wanted to explore more responsibilities within the business leading him to his current positions as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President. He is very creative and is currently working on a blue butterfly tea based and date infused dessert. Raija has learned better communication and internal business skills. In the future, Raija plans to stay connected to GGB.
Mandeyen Donzo - Executive Co Bake Crew Lead
Mandeyen Donzo (she/her) is the Executive Co Bake Crew Lead.Mandeyen is 17 and she has lived in Heritage Park for 8 years with her mother and sister. Green Garden Bakery is important to Mandeyen because it teaches her executive skills, learning responsibility, and having authority in a business. She participated in summer programs in the community for multiple summers and attended Active Chefs. She learned the skills that help her with her current role at GGB.
Sarod Williams - Executive Community Crew Lead
Sarod Williams (he/him) is the Executive Community Crew Lead.Sarod is 16 years old and has lived with his mom and siblings in Heritage Park since 2005. Sarod was basically born into GGB with both of his older sisters as founding members of GGB and his older brother as a member of the production crew. Sarod participated in youth cooking and garden classes and first joined a GGB workforce crew that was started during the pandemic called 'Community Crew.' The Community Crew installed 40 little pantries into all of the apartment buildings in the community and kept them stocked with PPE, cleaning supplies, and food. Community Crew has been active over the years and recently has been supporting community events like Toys for Tots, Spreading Community Love, and an Eid celebration. Through all of Sarod’s time with GGB his favorite memory was traveling to Florida, because it was his first time travelling with GGB.
Tay'Shawn Coleman - Executive Garden Crew Lead
Tay’Shawn (Tay) Coleman (he/him) is the executive Garden Crew Lead.Tay is 16 years old, and he has been working at Green Garden Bakery for 2 and a half years. His favorite memory with GGB is when the executive team had a team building water fight while on a trip in Columbus Ohio. GGB has been important to Tay because it is his first job and he enjoys seeing the positive impact that GGB has in Heritage Park.
Nate Wilson - Executive Sales Lead
Nate Wilson (he/him) is the Executive Sales Crew Lead. Nate is 17 years old and has been working with GGB for 4 and a half years. Like many of his peers, Nate got involved with GGB through summer programs when he was younger. One of Nate’s favorite memories was while he was selling at TC VegFest in St. Paul and he saw his family there. It brought him a lot of joy to see his family while he was working.