Our Team
John Heywood, Executive Director
John Heywood spearheads initiatives in sustainable resource management, organic resource innovation, and the development of the circular bioeconomy.
With a background in banking, finance, and diverse business ventures, John has held significant leadership roles at institutions like Broadway Federal Bank, First Fidelity, and Irvine City Bank, as well as founding roles in Numerata, a finance technology firm, and Irvine City Financial. His hands-on experience with organic production was deepened as Group CEO in the ASEAN region for PC2A, a company focused on nutraceutical and organic products, which solidified his commitment to regenerative agricultural practices.
Since becoming Executive Director of PFL in 2014, John has focused on advancing composting, regenerative agriculture, and innovative technologies that transform bio-based resources into valuable products. His work supports the expansion of a circular bioeconomy, emphasizing sustainable growth and environmental responsibility for a thriving future.
Kaarisa Theta, COO
Kaarisa Theta plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainable food systems, land access initiatives, and regenerative agriculture. With a comprehensive background in financial analysis, strategic planning, office management, and loan underwriting and processing, Kaarisa is instrumental in driving impactful solutions for community growth and resilience.
Her experience spans business development in diverse fields, including corporate finance, legal and insurance sectors, and Native American healthcare advocacy. She also works on pioneering solutions within circular bio-economy frameworks, harnessing technologies that transform waste streams, manage carbon, and regenerate resources.
With a dedication to holistic and community-centered approaches, Kaarisa is committed to empowering PFL’s mission and supporting the creation of sustainable, thriving systems for future generations.
Board
-
Maia Ballis
President
-
Linda Haymond
Vice President
-
Kaarisa Theta
Secretary
-
Jeremy Hofer
Treasurer
-
Chris Velez
Member
-
Bill Crandall
Member
Advisors
-
Calla Rose Ostrander
Calla Rose Ostrander is an Advisor at People, Food & Land Foundation where she supports The Carbon Project, Restore & Regenerate California, and all things compost. A political economist by training, she has spent the past ten growing the regenerative agriculture movement by working with funders, governments and communities to foster adoption, policy and investment. Prior to that she spent almost a decade working for the City of Aspen and the City and County of San Francisco on climate action.
-
Janaki Anagha
Janaki Anagha is an Advisor to People Food and Land Foundation and is the creator and administrator of the Marigold Fund at PFL. She has over a decade of experience working in rural California advancing agricultural and environmental policy towards justice for the communities bearing the burden of the globalized food system. She is deeply committed to the Central Valley where she believes the soul of the state resides. As a legal worker and later an attorney, she has worked at California Rural Legal Assistance, Community Water Center, and the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment on environmental and worker protections, clean drinking water and land access matters affecting farmworker settlements. Janaki is a founding member of the California Farmer Justice Collaborative and has farmed in diversified and orchard systems across the state. Janaki holds a J.D. and B.S from UC Davis.