Meet Our Staff Members
Jonathón Savage Executive Director
A native of New Haven’s Newhallville neighborhood, Jonathón has spent his lifetime connecting to the roots of his community through the agricultural spaces within the city and its surrounding neighborhoods. Cultivating the land was a way of life, rather than a hobby, that was passed on to him by his grandparents. This connection between food and land is one Jonathon has nurtured throughout his life and intentionally works to pass on to others.
Prior to joining Gather, Jonathón cultivated an impressive 17-year career in social services, working for St. Francis Home for Children’s Alternative to Detention (ADP), the Respite Program, and the private alternative education program Passages. He also held roles in public services as a case aide for Connecticut’s Department of Children and Families (DCF). Jonathón completed an Associate’s Degree from Gateway Community College and pursued Accounting at Southern Connecticut State University.
Jonathón started with Gather New Haven in 2021 as the Farm Manager, overseeing four farm sites, providing food to Farm Based Wellness Programs and to the New Haven community through donations and a small farm stand. Jonathón was asked to serve as Acting Executive Director beginning December 2023. Since then he has been guiding Gather toward its future by strengthening community relationships, supporting staff, and establishing new organizational partners.
Felicia Moore
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Felicia Moore is a dedicated advocate for nonprofits and human rights. At the University of Connecticut, she studied political science and journalism. From arts to education to the environment, Felicia is passionate about helping nonprofits meet the needs of the communities they serve. Before joining Gather New Haven, she worked for Solar Youth and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. Felicia’s commitment to the New Haven area stems from growing up next door in Hamden.
Karen Nelson
DIRECTOR OF SCHOONER & GRANTS MANAGEMENT
Karen brings decades of experience and skill leading youth summer camp programs for not for profits. As the Director of Schooner and Grants Management, Karen’s primary responsibility is to plan, implement, manage and coordinate all of the Schooner day camp program.
Xochitl Garcia
BILINGUAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR FARM-BASED WELLNESS
Xochitl Garcia is a multi-passionate person involved in health and wellness, food systems, environmental justice, and urban planning throughout New Haven and Connecticut.
She is passionate about creating multi-generational assets within communities and developing collaborative solutions to tackle systemic issues. She is actively involved in the New Haven Vision 2034, Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council (CEEJAC), New CT Farmers Alliance (NCTFA), and The Natural Farmer newspaper.
Zion Jones
Position
Zion Jones is from Denver, Colorado and comes to Gather New Haven with a background in Ecosystem Science, Sustainability, and Ethnic studies from Colorado State University. Besides being an avid traveler, creator, and lover of nature, she is dedicated to a personal passion of restoring our relationships to our natural environments through environmental education, eco-therapy, and social-environmental justice.