2026 Board of directors

Dale Welch, Board Chair

Dale retired in 2012 after over thirty years in the technology search business. In his leadership role with his search firm, he was involved in many of the company’s volunteer activities. It was through these efforts that he began to understand the disparity in opportunity and income in the Boston area. Dale is an active volunteer with The Open Door and interested in improving local food access on the North Shore. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and lives with his wife in Ipswich.

Elizabeth Hatch, Board Clerk

Tizzy is a long-time resident of Ipswich who enjoys everything to do with the outdoors. She studied biology as an undergrad and has a doctorate in epidemiology. She is a professor of Epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health and has done research on the association between dietary patterns and several health outcomes including fertility. She loves the Three Sisters’ mission to increase access to healthy local food for all and to use sustainable farming methods that will improve our community and help us to become more resilient in the face of climate change.

Jeremy Schley Johnson, Board Treasurer

Jeremy is a co-founder at Agrivida, which develops products for animal health and nutrition as well as alternative protein ingredients for plant-based foods. He grew up in Kansas, where his first job was working on a dairy farm throughout high school and college. He has served as treasurer and endowment committee chair at the church his family attends. Jeremy has a PhD from MIT and lives in Beverly with his wife and two children.

mia davis

Mia Davis is a changemaker in "better for you/the planet" consumer goods, with over 15 years of experience in safer ingredient and material sourcing, brand and product sustainability, and mission-driven business practices. She has established industry-leading policies, including beyond compliance hazard data generation, sustainable packaging guidelines, and legislative advocacy. Mia is the co-founder of the nonprofit Pact Collective, a nonprofit whose mission is to make beauty packaging more sustainable. Mia also has worked professionally with animal nutrition and wellness companies, and volunteers with organizations in the cat & dog rescue ecosystem.  

Mia loves healthy, regenerative food, community, the beach, plants, books, and music. She lives in Ipswich with her family (which includes four rescue animals).

Jennifer Freedson

Jen lives in Beverly with her husband Scott, her two daughters Tanner and Callie, and a dear friend Sophie who is getting her feet off the ground as a budding entrepreneur. Jen co-founded a sustainable event design and catering company called Chive Events in late 2008. Chive was dedicated to sourcing food and design elements locally and consciously. Chive closed in 2020 after being in business for nearly 12 years, and Jen remains a dedicated advocate for organizations and businesses that strive to make the world a more just and joyful place for all living beings.

Kailey Foley

Kailey resides in Newbury with her husband, Doug, and their son, Emerson. A graduate of the UMass Amherst Stockbridge School of Agriculture, she earned a degree in Sustainable Food and Farming. After gaining experience working on various farms across the North Shore, Kailey spent seven years contributing to the growth of Nourishing the North Shore, where she helped establish many of its foundational programs. Currently, she serves as a Horticulture Teacher at Essex North Shore Vocational and Technical School, taking great joy in inspiring her students and connecting them to the region’s vibrant food system.

Leslie Lyman

Leslie Lyman is a local artist and the mother of four grown sons. She has spent a lifetime interested in access to healthy local food, nutrition and seasonal eating. Leslie has worked and volunteered for a number of schools - currently as the development officer at Waring School - and believes in the importance of food and nutrition literacy. Leslie grew up  surrounded by many farms in the Berkshires and has been a longtime volunteer at Appleton - she values the essential role of Three Sisters and other farms in our community. Leslie holds a BA from Smith College and an MFA from Massachusetts College of Art & Design.

Heidi O’Connor

Heidi is a licensed CPA with over 20 years of experience in accounting and financial management, most recently working at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She lives in West Newbury with her husband, John, and loves spending time outdoors, especially tending to her own garden.  Growing up, Heidi spent summers on her grandparents’ farm in Iowa, which sparked her lifelong love for the land and local agriculture. She’s passionate about preserving farmland and making sure everyone has access to fresh, healthy food. Heidi loves the mission of Three Sisters and is excited to support the work they’re doing on Boston's North Shore.

Read our tribute to outgoing board members, August 2024.