Chris co-founded Higher Grounds Coffee in 2001 after living and working among coffee farmers at the Maya Vinic cooperative in Chiapas, Mexico. Since then, Higher Grounds has expanded to source fair trade coffee from over a dozen countries and Chris co-founded On the Ground in 2010 to provide more support to coffee farming communities from where Higher Grounds sources.

Dan grew up in coffee growing regions and lived in many international settings throughout his life which shaped his connections with coffee, farming communities, and concern for the environment. Through these passions, Dan co-founded Amavida Coffee in 2004 with the intention to create impact in coffee communities abroad.

Amavida Coffee is a legal Benefit Corporation and recently achieved Carbon and Plastic neutrality, off-setting one hundred (100) percent of their carbon and plastic pollution.

Coffee has been a part of TJ’s work life since the mid 90s when he was living and studying in Central America. He co-founded Wonderstate Coffee in 2006 and still serves as a co-owner. He got into coffee because of his interest in Latin American farmer co-ops, sustainable agriculture and rural communities. He’s stuck around because this is the best work he can think of that serves as a vehicle for social change (and it tastes good).

Matt became involved with On The Ground for the organization's first project in Africa - the Run Across Ethiopia. The group of runners and organizers, including fellow board members Claire Everhart, Timothy Young, and Chris Treter and Director of Development Stella Young, raised over a quarter million dollars to build schools, libraries, and latrines in some of Ethiopia's most impoverished areas. Inspired and enthused by the impact that On The Ground had in Ethiopia--hundreds of kids, their families, and their communities, accessing the advantages of education thanks to OtG--Matt joined the board in order to help carry forward the organization's mission.

Timothy coordinated OtG’s Runs Across Ethiopia, Palestine and Congo and co-founded On the Ground. His extensive background in travel and human relief work in the developing world inspired not only his commitment to OtG, but also his day job as founder of specialty food company Food For Thought in 1995. The mission: creating and raising awareness around just and sustainable food systems.

Past endeavors include President of the Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council,Vice Chair of the Michigan Land Use Institute, and founding board member of the Domestic Fair Trade Association. He is currently a board member of the Northwestern Michigan College Foundation and On The Ground.

Steve recently retired after 52 years in business, across a single proprietorship, partnerships, and with two of the worlds largest companies. Most recently he served 14 years as Oryana's GM. Before that, Steve and his wife Robin both served on Oryana's board for 6 years each. Besides a love and commitment to cooperatives, Steve is committed to serving the Traverse City, MI community, including service with the local Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Development Board, and the Traverse City Arts Commission. He also helped form and served as President of the North Boardman Lake District to help revitalize a downtrodden corridor, as well as holding many roles in Local Food Systems efforts. Steve is married to Robin Nance, a retired medical and alternative medical professional. They have three children, Andrew who teaches at Georgia Tech, Emma a Social Worker in Boston and Evan who passed at a young age in 1993. Steve can often be found walking Traverse City with the families 150 lbs Malamute, Odin when not at the Gym, working on an 1880’s house, biking or otherwise enjoying being newly retired.

Claire participated as a runner in all of On the Grounds’ ultra-marathon fundraising projects; Runs Across Ethiopia, Palestine, and Congo. Her professional work focuses on extending development financing to un- and under-underserved entrepreneurial borrowers in low income communities around the world.

Sean has worked professionally for over 25 years promoting environmental and social responsibility. His experience includes founding a retail business focused on promotion of products made the “right way” with emphasis on the People and the Planet, as well as in international brand strategy management. Sean has many years of experience serving on several company boards dedicated to community sustainability and social equity. His experience built on a B.A. in International Relations, a Masters in International Business Management, and a certificate in Sustainable Business Strategy.

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Simon holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Montana. He's been working in the International Education field for over 10 years. Either organically or by some quirk of fate, over the last five years, Simon has found himself thrust into specialty coffee. He’s found this a great opportunity to utilize his unique skill set in International Education/Outdoor Education and graduate level coursework in international development to focus on issues of sustainability as they pertain to specialty coffee in Colombia and Mexico.

Wayne is a Priest of the Diocese of Gaylord. He has worked one-on-one with members of the local Traverse City immigrant/migrant Community on Social Justice issues for nearly 20 years. He has a Certificate in Catholic Social Doctrine from the Centesimus Annus Pro-Pontifice and Catholic University of America, and has visited or worked in various Latin American countries over the years, focusing on Catholic Social Doctrine especially relating to coffee producers and Community Development. Wayne has been involved in micro-finance projects for the last 15 years, especially in Bolivia, and recently in DR Congo. He is co-founder of the Justice and Peace Advocacy Center, a Traverse City-based 501-c3. He is very excited to newly be a member of the OtG Board.

Meryl has been volunteering with OTG since she participated in Run Across Palestine and Run Across Congo and is thrilled to be on the board. She is based in Traverse City, MI.