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.

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.

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.

Aaron Dennis is a Michigan Emmy–winning filmmaker with over 20 years of experience crafting humanitarian and educational films around the globe. In 2012, he partnered with On the Ground to film and direct the acclaimed documentary The People and The Olive: The Story of the Run Across Palestine. He also directed Connected by Coffee, which highlights the lives of fair‑trade coffee farmers in Latin America. As founder of Stone Hut Studios in Traverse City, Aaron and his team have produced hundreds of impactful and educational films that champion social and environmental justice.