After a thoughtful months-long search, with participation from board members and staff, we are excited to announce Gaining Ground’s new executive director, Jennifer Johnson. 

Jennifer was the director of development and outreach at The Nature Connection in Concord during the four years that I was at the Community Chest. I admired her enthusiastic and engaging personality, her professional manner, and her commitment to our community. When she arrived on her bicycle for an interview with Doug, Allison, and me in the farm kitchen on a chilly day this February, it was a chance to learn more about her values and passions. She talked with us about hunger relief, health, the environment, and volunteering. We heard about Jennifer’s belief in the value of being outside, and that “everyone benefits from exposure to nature.” She was aware of the talent of our farm crew and asked good questions about work on the farm and also about the contributions of our many donors and volunteers. 

The executive director at Gaining Ground must be versatile—talking with directors of funding organizations one moment, and walking in the fields with the farmers and volunteers the next. Jennifer’s can-do attitude, her good sense of humor, her ability to move among a variety of people and groups with ease, and her passion for communities and healthy living make her a great fit for Gaining Ground. Welcome, Jennifer!