Catherine is a Texas-born, Illinois-raised Minnesotan who came to this state for college and never left. She majored in Linguistics at the University of Minnesota and returned for another round to obtain a Master’s in Public Policy with a concentration on Public and Nonprofit Leadership and Management with emphasis on Financial Management and Budgeting. She puts her education to use at Propel Nonprofits as a loan officer & financial specialist, working with nonprofit organizations to manage and/or obtain the capital to fulfill their many valuable missions. In her spare time, she also volunteers with Prepare + Prosper as a tax preparer, visits our many great regional parks for hiking, and enjoys fiber crafts like embroidery and knitting.

Catherine is drawn to Metro Blooms as a lover of nature and our relationship with it. She discovered camping later in life and since then has become passionate about connecting folks with their natural environment, and learning best practices for maintaining its health. She also believes firmly that nature is for all, and is passionate about nurturing relationships in the greater community. She believes everyone is able to forge an identity as a steward of the natural world. 

Dan was born and raised in the Twin Cities. He moved to Milwaukee, WI, for his undergrad in Accounting and Finance, before coming back to the Twin Cities. Dan works for Sage Intacct as a professional services consultant. Previously he worked in nonprofit management and various software and other accounting management roles. Dan recently moved to Roseville with his husband and several dogs and is looking forward to growing a new garden in their new space. He has always had a love for plants and all things gardening. He was drawn to Metro Blooms to gain and share knowledge about native plant gardens, and to learn the things he can do to make our community a great place for pollinators and people.

John Kinara works for the City of Brooklyn Park in the Community Development Department, where he serves as the housing expert, policy liaison, and primary contact in several areas of housing policy, programs, and redevelopment, including the City’s role in addressing homelessness, promoting affordable housing, environmental sustainability, and economic development.

John is passionate in multiple areas of housing policy, such as landlord-tenant relations, fair housing, redevelopment, land use, housing finance, federal and state housing programs, foreclosures and low-income homeowner issues, homelessness, health, and safety, building codes and enforcement, and the intersection of these issue areas with environmental justice as well as racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.

John holds a master’s degree from Hamline University in Public Administration and Non-Profit Management as well as an MBA in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. John and his family enjoy gardening, traveling, playing tennis, and entertaining friends.

Norman is a retired corporate scientist that helped to develop nutrition support products for hospital patients. He developed a strong interest in how to grow his own vegetables due to his training in food science and nutrition. Once he had his own yard to dig in, Norman set up both edible and flower gardens. He also worked with a local cemetery to develop an area of prairie restoration where patrons could participate in environmentally responsible memorialization, and helps to maintain it. Norman enjoys silent sports, especially bicycling and cross-country skiing.

Norman joined the board of Metro Blooms in 2018 with the goal of helping the local community learn about gardening that incorporates improvement of the environment.

Peony Hildreth is a North Minneapolis resident that participated in Metro Blooms’ Blooming Boulevards program, prompting her interest in becoming more involved with Metro Blooms and joining the  board. Peony enjoys creating and cultivating green spaces and has done her share of planning and installations.

Peony holds a bachelor’s degree in management and runs a small business, Paeonia, that focuses on holistic wellness. Paeonia provides community connections, event planning and curating, curriculum development, youth programming, gardening and farming focused on urban agriculture for youth, adults and community and more.

Peony is dedicated to empowering her community through education and hands-on green initiatives. She hopes to bring her skills to the organization to assist in communicating the mission, vision and initiatives of Metro Blooms to promote and invite participation. She enjoys biking, growing and eating food, writing music, singing live and in studio, cultivating and appreciating outdoor living spaces, traveling in and out of the country and spending time with friends, family and community members.

Rachael is a Minnesota gal born and raised and has always loved being outdoors and digging in the dirt. After getting her Bachelors in Social Studies Education from St. Catherine University, she took a circuitous 10-year path to receiving her JD from the University of St. Thomas. Along the way, she has always tried to promote green living and practices in her workplaces. She chaired one of her employer’s green teams for several years, and helped to get a composting program implemented in her building. In law school she chaired the Environmental Law Society, and she clerked with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Rachael now works as a Housing Attorney for HOME Line, a Minnesota-based non-profit that helps tenants navigate legal rights under Minnesota’s tenant/landlord law.

Saolia Tucker grew up in the New Hope and Crystal, MN, area. She’s primarily worked in the public sector for a nonprofit, ACER Inc., and for U.S. Senator Tina Smith, and is currently working at the Municipal level at the City of Brooklyn Park. She’s thrilled to join the Metro Blooms board to support its important work in community, environmental stewardship, and equity. Her background in economic development and advocacy is all about building partnerships that uplift residents and deepen civic engagement. She’s passionate about connecting people with the land and expanding opportunities for meaningful engagement, and is excited to join this work alongside like-minded folks! Saolia is excited to work with the board, staff, and partners to nurture inclusive green spaces where every voice is valued. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her dog, going on road trips, and spending time with family and friends.