Monica Ibacache, BOD Founder, Executive Director, and Educator

A native of Chile, Monica has been a New York City–based organizer, sustainability educator, and ecological designer since 2007. An avid  gardener as a small child with her grandparents in Chile, she rekindled her passion for growing food as an adult while living in southeast Alaska. A bite of her first homegrown lettuce and understanding why it was so delicious, unlike the store-bought variety, led Monica down the rabbit hole to healthy food, small-scale agriculture, environmental preservation, and permaculture. Monica is committed to improving food systems while advancing social and environmental justice globally. She has dedicated her life to working with diverse and marginalized communities in education and local development in the U.S. and abroad. Monica has advanced certifications in Permaculture Design and Teaching, with a focus on children and young adults. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Institute of Permaculture for Children (IPEC), the Indoor Gardening Society of America (IGSA), Permaculture Institute of North America (PINA), and the International Permaculture Convergence Committee (IPCC).
Justin Remus, BOD Media Strategist and Educator

A New York–based journalist, editor, and blogger, Justin is a long-time denizen of NYC's East Village and graduate of the NYU Film School. With a background that encompasses public relations, magazines, and social media, Justin has written nationally published features in politics, business, entertainment, and sports. He has a Permaculture Design Certificate through the Center for Bioregional Living and advanced certification in teaching permaculture. Justin is proud to facilitate BOD's social and media outreach to communities, schools, and environmental activists.
Christina Zawerucha, BOD Educator

​Christina is  a permaculture agronomist, K-12 certified educator and social entrepreneur who specializes in developing sustainability literacy programs in multicultural contexts. Focused on working with immigrant populations and English Language Learners, Christina has developed participatory programs with public schools, nonprofits, and universities in New York City, Pennsylvania, Ukraine, Virginia, and Ethiopia.  Her curricula have been featured in the New York Times, the MacArthur Foundation documentary “I Learn America,” and Al Jazeera America.  After working for two years as Director of Agronomy for GreenPath food in Ethiopia, Christina is honored to support Beyond Organic Design at the exciting intersection of literacy education, ecological agriculture, and social entrepreneurship.
Matt Bennett, BOD Educator
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Matt is a Certified Permaculture Teacher and "Eco-Social Worker" based in the Delaware Valley. He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and works across the river with young men and women leading a green jobs & green living training program in Camden, New Jersey. With a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and advanced studies in Regenerative Design and Nature Awareness, Matt brings a clear logic - and an ear for bird language! - to the outdoor classroom. An avid paddleboarder and wild foods enthusiast, Matt finds peace & recreation on & along the creeks that naturally connect the regrowing forests and farmlands with suburban splendor and the post-industrial riverfront cities. 
Rachel Blalock, BOD Educator

Rachel has always been fascinated by the science of how things work and has a passion for educating both adults and children. A native of Texas, she co-directed educational activities at an organic permaculture farm in Austin. With a B.S. in Middle School Science Education and a M.S. in Educational Administration, Rachel incorporates her love of environmental education, social justice, and natural design into her work as an educator for BOD.
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Hayley Mead, BOD Assistant Teacher and Communications Intern

Hayley is pursuing a B.S. in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the University of Southern California.  A native New Yorker, Hayley returns home each summer to share and expand her knowledge of public health and nutrition while serving inner-city youth. Last summer, Hayley interned at the Association to Benefit Children, conducting nutrition and gardening classes with East Harlem preschoolers and their families. Through her internship at Beyond Organic Design, Hayley is designing and gardening with children and teenagers, helping them deepen their connections to their natural environments and food sources.
Laura Sanchez, BOD Board of Directors

Laura comes to Beyond Organic Design with over 25 years of experience in early childhood education. A graduate of Bank Street College of Education, New York University, and Hunter College, Laura has worked as a teacher and educational supervisor in a number of general and special educational environments, including the Jewish Guild for the Blind and the Association to Benefit Children: Cassidy's Place. As an educator, Laura is drawn to the philosophy of permaculture and its focus on the development of children's critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Laura is thrilled to be on the BOD Board of Directors to share her knowledge of educational practices and to further BOD's outreach about the importance of green education.