TVF Advisory Board

The TVF Advisory Board

We are endlessly grateful for our Advisory Board, a group of passionate, generous, and visionary humans who help our farm thrive. Their wisdom, leadership, and care guide our mission of empowering youth, growing community, and cultivating connection to the land. Each member brings unique expertise and heartfelt commitment, shaping every seed we plant and every young life we inspire.

Kathy A

Kathy Alexander

Kathy grew up on the family farm in Kansas and spent many incredible years in 4-H. Later she headed not-for-profits agencies in Tucson and then spent 24 years at the University of Phoenix finishing her career there as the Vice President Director for Arizona campuses. She earned graduate degrees from the University of Arizona and the University of Phoenix. For the last 20 years, she has spent the hot half of the year in British Columbia. In addition to her devotion to Tucson Village Farm, she currently volunteers for the Tucson Botanical Gardens, the Reid Park Zoo Society and the Dog Film Fest for Ability Dogs of Arizona.

Tim D

Timothy Dennehy

As a youth, Tim was captivated by working in the vineyards and strawberry fields of California. This led him to UC Davis, where he obtained both undergraduate and graduate degrees. He then jumped 2000 miles east and spent a decade on the faculty of Cornell University as the grape entomologist for NY State. In 1993, he joined the Entomology faculty of UA. Over the subsequent 15 years he contributed to team efforts focused on safer alternatives to conventional pesticides in AZ cotton and vegetables. In 2005, he was awarded the title of University Distinguished Outreach Professor. In 2008, after 25 years as a professor and extension specialist, he changed focus from Arizona to international agriculture. This involved working with teams of scientists around the world. “TVF completes the circle for me; I am energized and uplifted by the mission, enthusiasm and commitment of the leadership, staff and participants,” he states.

Steve

Steve Gottlieb

A West Virginia native, Steve attended college in Ohio before moving to Tucson in 1978. After an 8-year career in nonprofit management, he returned to school and became an R.N., focusing on treatment of addiction and mental health disorders. Since retirement, he has volunteered for a variety of community organizations, including Literacy Connects, the Tucson Festival of Books, Saguaro and Grand Canyon National Parks, and now, Tucson Village Farm. For Steve, being outdoors is a primary motivator for staying healthy, and he is usually engaged with community activities or traveling and hiking to seek new adventures. The Tucson Village Farm family helps young people learn and grow in a healthy environment and allows adults to provide guidance and nourishment (pun intended). Steve is involved with Tucson Village Farm because it is a model for a healthy, thriving community.

Curtis

Curtis Jones

Curtis Jones earned his B.S. in Plant Science from the University of Arizona and went on to found Botanical Interests Seed Company in 1995, which he led until its sale in 2022. Dedicated to giving back, he donated an orchard to Tucson Village Farm in honor of his high school biology teacher, a greenhouse to the Pima County Master Gardener program, and funded several staff positions. Now retired, Curtis divides his time between Colorado and Tucson, where he enjoys hiking, biking, and projects like the Mt. Sanitas Mad Hatter, a project dedicated to encouraging and celebrating random acts of kindness.

Susan

Susan Kentosh: Board Chair

Originally from Ohio, Susan moved to Tucson in 2009, having always loved the Southwest. After a 34-year career in banking, brokerage and accounting, she decided to spend some of her retirement time in the non-profit world. She was formerly on the board of Handi-Dogs, (now Ability Dogs of Arizona). Getting involved with Tucson Village Farm was a perfect fit, as Susan has been a lifelong gardener, and she loved the Farm’s mission of reconnecting youth to a healthy food system and teaching them leadership skills. When she’s not playing in the dirt at the Farm, you can find her helping with Farm events. She describes the Farm as one of her “happiest places” in Tucson.

Robin

Robin Kropp

Robin Kropp is a proud Sonoran Desert rat and Arizona Wildcat. Her passion is to help people appreciate biodiversity and the role each little life plays. In her 20’s, she did field work and environmental education throughout the Americas from the Arctic to the tropics. But the desert called her home. She got her dream job at the Desert Museum, where she has worked in education since 1998. There, she met TVF founder Leza Carter at a school garden. She watched Leza’s dream manifest when she met co-founder Elizabeth Sparks and broke ground at the Little Farm. Robin has volunteered at TVF since the beginning, from row-hoer to chicken-runner to early board member. She loves how TVF welcomes and empowers people to connect to healthy, sustainable food systems and nature. She has been honored to participate in the farm’s incredible impact and can’t wait to see what’s next!

Kuumba

Denise 'Kuumba' Piazza

Kuumba’s love for gardening is deeply rooted in her Sicilian heritage. Raised in Boston, MA, she was fortunate to grow up surrounded by family who cultivated figs, fruit trees, grapes, and lush vegetable and flower gardens—her own little heaven on earth. This early joy became her lifelong inspiration. As a young adult, she began working in the inner city, planting fruit trees alongside teens and apprentices in her Western Massachusetts gardens. Kuumba is the founder of Kuumba Made inc., a beloved Tucson-based business known for its exquisite fragrances and herbal body care products. She is passionate about supporting nonprofits that teach youth how to grow food, herbs, and flowers—offering them hands-on experience in self-sufficiency and encouraging a deeper connection to the land.

Nancy

Nancy R. Laney

Nancy worked as an attorney in the federal courts and for the University of Arizona before deciding to follow her heart and work in the environmental nonprofit world. She served as Associate Director of the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum for ten years. She then moved to the Tucson Botanical Gardens as Executive Director. Nancy spent several years working as a nonprofit consultant and executive coach in St. Louis and Chapel Hill before returning to Tucson in 2015. Now retired, Nancy is very happy to be an active volunteer with the Tucson Village Farm. “It is my place of the heart,” she proudly declares!

Nancy

Nancy Landes

Nancy grew up in the Midwest and spent her career in retailing working in Minneapolis for the Target Corp. When she retired, she wanted to get to a warmer climate and happily ended up in Tucson. She was initially involved in Opening Minds through the Arts, an arts integration program of TUSD as well as the Tucson Museum of Art. She was unaware of TVF until a friend invited her to the first Andrew Weil fundraising dinner, which she was unable to attend, but did attend an open house where she met some of the Healthy Living Ambassadors. She was blown away by the commitment of these young people and also the community that was TVF. Ever since, she has thoroughly enjoyed the high energy, caring environment that is TVF.

Cita

Cita Scott

Tucson artist Cita Scott expresses her celebration of nature through “sanctuary art”: still lifes which provide a precious respite for our souls. Scott has been in museum and gallery shows across the country. Her work’s in public and private collections, including 48 pieces in TMC’s Healing Arts Program. For more details, visit Citascott.com. Scott’s love of art and gardens has led to her involvement in the Tucson community on advisory boards and gala committees, including: the TMA; MOCA; UAMA; ASDM; AZPM; The UA School of Art, The School Garden Workshop, ATC, The Arizona Land and Water Trust, and Tucson Village Farm. At TVF, Scott’s discovered a special place of beauty and nourishment of spirit. Everything about the Farm’s mission, and the “farmily” supporting it, resonates with what she holds close to her heart. It is a joy and honor to be part of this community, and help it grow!

Bill

Bill Small

A Tucson native, from a family who has roots in Tucson since 1938; he is a local high school and UofA graduate who moved away for 40 years to pursue life and profession in Los Angeles, Boston, and Portland OR. Bill and his wife returned in 2022 in retirement to rediscover The Old Pueblo, his home town; and discover new personal interests in which to be involved. He serves as a Donor Advisor for the Stonewall Fund, which is a family-originated Foundation since 1958, now with the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona. Introduced to TVF by a neighbor, and intrigued by the energy and the mission of the organization, he is delighted to be involved with this worthy place.

Ann

Ann Wilds

Ann is a Tucson native and proud Wildcat. After twenty adventurous years in Los Angeles, she returned home in 2010 to raise her family and reconnect with the beauty of the Sonoran desert. In 2012, Ann discovered her passion for the Tucson Village Farm while volunteering at student field trips. She joined the TVF Advisory Board in 2015, and later served three AmeriCorps terms, each one deepening her love for the Farm and its mission. Ann is now thrilled to be part of the TVF team as the Market Coordinator, where she helps bring fresh, local food to the community. Ann’s happiest days are spent surrounded by fresh produce, good people, and desert skies. When she’s not at the Farm, she’s teaching yoga, reading, or laughing with family and friends.

Richard

Richard White

A Boston native, Richard moved to Tucson in 1991 and has served as Vice President for United Way and then CEO for the Southern Arizona American Red Cross until retiring in 2014. Richard is passionate about travel. Beginning in 2010, he and his wife Barbara have traveled around the globe where they have visited 24 countries including 8 in Asia. To stay in shape for traveling, Richard enjoys playing tennis and exercising. In addition to traveling, Richard describes himself as a professional volunteer. He has proudly served on the Tucson Village Farm Advisory Board since its inception. In addition, he has held volunteer leadership positions with Reid Park Zoo, Bag It Cancer, Social Venture Partners, Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona, Southern Arizona Leadership Council and Angel Charity for Children.