Together, we can do so much.

Deanna Kitchen

Growing up, Deanna just assumed her deep desire to connect with people and find ways to create community was just the by-product of being born and raised in a town so small it only had one stop light. But she's come to realize it’s the very fiber of who she is and was the seed that eventually led her to founding the Growing Kindness Project.

Deanna believes deeply in the importance of connection and community, the power of small acts of kindness, and leaning in to the limitless possibilities that our limitations provide us.

Married to her high school love (true story: they met through 4H at the county fair) and mama to three amazing boys, they live together on their small scale flower farm Twig and Vine Farm, in tiny town north of Seattle. It's also home to hundreds of dahlias, a small flock of sheep, a handful of chickens, a faithful farm dog, and more tree forts and bike jumps than one can count. Deanna and her family have always seen their farm as an opportunity to to invite others into a place of rest and gathering and the Growing Kindness Project has become a very special extension of that deeply held value.

 Jill Gaynor

Jill Gaynor currently serves as Vice President of the Growing Kindness Project, where she passionately contributes to the organization's mission with unwavering dedication and enthusiasm. Her journey to this role reflects the beauty of serendipity.

Jill's connection with Growing Kindness Project founder, Deanna Kitchen, traces back to 2017 when they crossed paths at a Sinclair & Moore Workshop. Their continued correspondence blossomed, and during the onset of the pandemic, Deanna's thoughtful care package filled with dahlia tubers and planting instructions became a heartwarming turning point for Jill. Through nurturing these flowers, Jill discovered the profound joy of growing and giving, which ignited her passion for The Growing Kindness Project. In December 2020, she joined the Board, infusing it with her entrepreneurial acumen, compassionate spirit, and steadfast commitment to fostering kindness and community growth.

Jill's professional journey commenced as a gallerist for Gagosian Gallery, followed by the founding of an educational game company in Los Angeles. Following twelve successful years in the toy industry and a relocation to the East Coast, she immersed herself in the enchanting world of flowers, establishing Jill Gaynor Design—a floral design and decor business in the heart of New York City. Despite pandemic challenges, including downsizing her floral business, Jill's resilience and entrepreneurial spirit propelled her into her next venture. She founded Jill & Co., a company specializing in crafting exquisite websites and providing essential business services to non-profits, floral-related companies, and entrepreneurs alike.

 Kaite Scott

Kaite Scott is a Limited Licensed Master of Social Work (LLMSW) practicing as an Infant Mental Health Clinician in southeast Michigan. Kaite serves families and young children supporting the parent-child dyad through a variety of intervention and theories, infuses gardening into treatment plans through therapeutic horticultural intervention in addition to simply sharing flowers with families.

Kaite came to flowers during the pandemic and shortly thereafter found Growing Kindness -- the act of growing and sharing flowers has been tremendously healing for Kaite during a season of personal familial death and loss. Her hope is to share her early childhood knowledge, non-profit awareness, group facilitation wisdom and loving-kindness with the Growing Kindness community.

Kaite lives in Ypsilanti, Michigan with her husband, Tim and their problematic pets, Lola and Kim.

Inga Sweet

Inga Sweet is a seasoned leader for a San Francisco-based institutional investment consulting firm. As chief operating officer, she brings corporate experience to the Growing Kindness Project, as well as prior experience with other nonprofits including the United Way Bay Area.

Inga’s journey with flowers began just a few years ago when she took a class at a local florist. It opened a new world of joy and creativity, starting with floral arrangements and quickly spreading to growing and giving flowers. She seeks ways to spread kindness by gifting her flowers to those facing challenging times.

Inga lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and dog, Riley, and loves to spend time with her three grown children. When she’s not working or gifting flowers, she enjoys family travel, cooking, and walks and hikes with Riley.

Brenda Brieden

Sarah Pabody

Sarah Pabody founded Triple Wren Farms in 2012. She owns and operates the first generation family farm together with her husband Steve, where they share beauty by growing and selling amazing cut flowers and dahlia tubers, building gorgeous weddings, and mentoring new flower farmers.

Sarah works closely with her field crew manager to handle harvesting, grocery bouquet production, field maintenance, and dahlia tuber shipping, and is the lead designer for the Triple Wren Weddings crew.

Kelly Perry

Sarah Pabody founded Triple Wren Farms in 2012. She owns and operates the first generation family farm together with her husband Steve, where they share beauty by growing and selling amazing cut flowers and dahlia tubers, building gorgeous weddings, and mentoring new flower farmers.

Sarah works closely with her field crew manager to handle harvesting, grocery bouquet production, field maintenance, and dahlia tuber shipping, and is the lead designer for the Triple Wren Weddings crew.