Meet the Board of Directors
Daphne Kinglsey
President & Co-Founder
Bio Coming Soon
Jon Ray Gardner
Board Secretary
Jon Ray serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for Light Root Farm and Learning Center, bringing his passion for land stewardship and nonprofit business experience to the farm. With a background in Biodynamics, Jon Ray feels a deep connection to the way Light Root operates. He believes deeply in the power of reconnecting humans and Earth by getting our hands in the dirt. As his day job, Jon Ray manages facilities and sustainability efforts for The Nature Conservancy in Colorado, and enjoys riding and fixing bikes, digging and playing music, and gardening.
Taber Ward
Board Member
Taber Ward, J.D., is a goat-herder turned policy wonk who thrives at the intersection of land, law, and local food. She teaches in CU Boulder’s Masters of the Environment (MENV) program, helping emerging leaders turn bold ideas into real-world impact. She also serves as a Program Officer at the Donnell-Kay Foundation, where she champions healthy food access, school nutrition, and systems change across Colorado. Before diving into policy, Taber co-founded Mountain Flower Goat Dairy (now Growing Gardens Goat Dairy) —a scrappy, joyful urban farm that grew from five goats into a beloved community hub for hands-on learning and regenerative agriculture. Her career has spanned public health law, facilitation, and food systems innovation—but her heart is always in the pasture, connecting people to the land and each other. On the Light Root Farm board, Taber brings the fierce belief that regenerative farming and connection with animals can help heal communities and the planet.
Cameron Genter
Board Member & Co-Founder
Bio Coming soon
Photo Coming Soon
Tra-Ling Tu
Board Member
Bio Coming soon
Mark Pacheco
Board Member
Mark brings 25 years of information technology leadership across diverse sectors including construction materials, aerospace, and philanthropy to the Light Root Farm & Learning Center board. His experience spanning organizations like the Colorado Health Foundation has given him a deep understanding of how technology and strategic operations can amplify community impact. Mark's passion for helping others drew him to Light Root Farm’s mission of connecting people to the land and fostering healing through agricultural experiences. He believes in the transformative power of the farm environment to support individuals in recovery, provide educational opportunities for youth, and create spaces where people can reconnect with nature and find purpose through meaningful work. Mark is committed to supporting Light Root Farm's growth and ensuring the organization has the technological infrastructure and strategic guidance to expand its reach in the Boulder community.
