Meet the Heart Behind the Harvest

Kimberly Meyer is the Executive Director and founder of Community Harvest Community Gardens, where her lifelong dedication to education, sustainability, and food justice blossoms into action. Kimberly’s love for gardening and fresh food traces back to joyful childhood memories spent alongside her great-grandmother—plucking sun-warmed tomatoes, snipping fragrant basil, and discovering that food is far more than nourishment. It’s connection. It’s memory. It’s joy. These early experiences planted the seeds for a mission rooted in transforming communities through inclusive garden spaces, veganic gardening, and education on food as medicine.

A retired middle school teacher with over 25 years of classroom experience, Kimberly holds a master’s degree and extensive postgraduate study in curriculum development, literacy, and student mentorship. She is also an author and podcast host, using her voice to inspire others to reconnect with the land, their health, and each other. Her vision includes creating garden environments where everyone—regardless of age, ability, or background—can participate fully and comfortably. Whether it's a child planting their first seed, an elder harvesting herbs for wellness, or a family learning to grow their own food, Kimberly designs spaces that welcome and empower all.

Her hands-on experience as a small business owner in the wine industry gave her a unique perspective on cultivating the land. By tending grapevines and crafting artisanal wines, she learned that when you care for the soil, it gives back in abundance. This same philosophy shapes her approach to community gardening. She advocates for turning traditional lawns into thriving edible landscapes—spaces filled with herbs, fruits, vegetables, and flowers that conserve water, support pollinators, and nourish the body and soul.

In addition to her nonprofit work, Kimberly offers personalized home garden consultations—helping individuals and families bring the joy of growing food into their own backyards. From transforming small patios into herb havens to designing full edible gardens, she guides others in creating spaces that reflect both sustainability and heart. Whether advising on layout, companion planting, or wellness-focused growing, Kimberly brings her warmth, creativity, and expertise to every corner she helps cultivate.

At Community Harvest, Kimberly continues to lead with vision and purpose, championing hands-on education, herbal wellness, and sustainable practices. Through her work, she is growing more than gardens—she’s growing equity, opportunity, and connection, one harvest at a time.

Doug Umlah, MBA, brings a unique blend of business acumen, community care, and entrepreneurial creativity to the board, drawing from over 25 years of leadership in healthcare management and a thriving passion for viticulture and winemaking. Doug’s career is rooted in a deep commitment to community well-being—both in the medical field and through the experiences he cultivates at the intersection of hospitality, sustainability, and land stewardship.

As Chief Operations Officer at Little Colorado Medical Center, a rural Critical Access Hospital in Winslow, Arizona, Doug has spent nearly a decade overseeing outpatient services and medical clinics in underserved communities. His leadership ensures that vital health resources remain accessible and responsive in rural settings, where care is needed most. His work in healthcare is marked by a systems-thinking approach, compassionate leadership, and a strong belief in the power of innovation to solve human problems.

Yet Doug’s talents extend far beyond hospital walls. As the founder and managing owner of Blendz Winery & Bar in historic downtown Flagstaff, Doug transformed a creative vision into a dynamic community gathering space. At Blendz, visitors craft their own wine blends from an array of regional varietals, designing custom labels and bottling their own creations—an experience that’s as hands-on and joyful as it is delicious. But the story behind Blendz began long before the first bottle was corked. Doug’s personal journey into wine began with a love for the land—learning how to care for grapevines, understanding the rhythms of the growing season, and discovering how nurturing the plant directly influences the quality and character of the wine. That connection between earth, effort, and outcome continues to guide both his business and his values.

Doug’s experience as a small business owner, Lean Six Sigma consultant, and longtime healthcare executive gives him a rare perspective on building systems that serve people—whether that’s a team of doctors, a family-run vineyard, or a community nonprofit. His educational background includes a Master of Business Administration from Northern Arizona University’s W. A. Franke College of Business, where he developed the analytical and strategic mindset that continues to shape his work today.

As a board member, Doug brings not only professional expertise but also a passion for helping people live healthier, more connected lives. His appreciation for the land, combined with a deep understanding of how health, food, and community intersect, makes him a valuable advocate for sustainable gardening, local food systems, and educational initiatives that reach across generations. Whether he’s walking hospital corridors or vineyard rows, Doug carries a consistent mission: to help people thrive.

Samuel Leehe
Deputy Director / Associate Director

Samuel Leehe brings a powerful fusion of science, strength, and soul-centered wellness to the organization’s leadership. With a lifelong passion for the healing power of plants, nutrition, and holistic well-being, Sam champions an integrated approach to health that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit as one connected system. His work reflects a deep belief that true wellness begins at the root — in the foods we eat, the earth that sustains us, and the knowledge we share with our communities.

Sam has served as a professional coach and personal trainer since 2008, helping individuals transform their lives through sustainable health practices. Throughout his career, he has guided clients in achieving weight management goals, building strength, preparing for competitive athletics including CrossFit, Olympic weightlifting, and powerlifting, and most importantly, developing lifelong habits that support lasting wellness. His coaching philosophy is grounded in empowerment — helping people discover their own potential while providing evidence-based strategies in nutrition, strength training, and functional movement.

His academic journey reflects his dedication to advancing nutritional science and preventive health. Sam earned his Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services from the University of Arizona, where he was an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. He continues to expand his expertise through advanced graduate study with long-term goals of pursuing a PhD, focusing on the intersection of nutrition, plant-based medicine, and community health education.

Sam’s professional credentials demonstrate his commitment to excellence and continued growth. He holds multiple advanced fitness and performance certifications, including CrossFit Level 1 and Level 2 Trainer, CrossFit Weightlifting Level 2, CrossFit Mobility and Movement certification, and USA Weightlifting Level 1 certification. He has also earned specialized certifications in fitness nutrition coaching through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and Precision Nutrition, strengthening his ability to support individuals through comprehensive, science-driven wellness programming.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Sam is deeply committed to service and community impact. He regularly volunteers with organizations dedicated to hunger relief and poverty alleviation, including annual service with Feed My Starving Children and ongoing charitable contributions supporting global food security initiatives. His dedication to feeding and nourishing communities aligns closely with his belief that access to nutritious food and plant-based education can transform public health outcomes.

As Deputy Director and Associate Director, Sam helps guide program development, wellness education initiatives, and strategic growth. He is especially passionate about promoting the use of plants as both nutrition and medicine, advocating for community access to fresh, nutrient-dense foods, and fostering educational opportunities that empower individuals to take ownership of their health journeys.

At his core, Sam is a lifelong learner, a devoted father of four, and a servant leader who models resilience, humility, and curiosity. He approaches wellness not as a destination, but as a continual practice of balance, knowledge, and intentional living. Through his leadership, he strives to inspire others to cultivate strength, nourishment, and healing — growing healthier individuals, stronger communities, and a more compassionate world.

Harrison Surprise brings a grounded, heart-centered approach to sustainable living, rooted in years of working closely with the land in the lush landscapes of Hawaiʻi. Now based in Phoenix, Harrison continues to nurture the earth with the same deep respect and intention, focusing his efforts on regenerative practices and community-based solutions to food waste and urban agriculture.

With a keen eye for what others might overlook, Harrison founded FreePicks, a beautifully simple yet transformative initiative aimed at rescuing excess citrus before it becomes waste. Many Valley homeowners are overwhelmed by the bounty of their citrus trees—what begins as abundance can quickly turn to mess and pest problems. Harrison saw an opportunity for circular benefit. Through Free Pick, he helps homeowners harvest fruit before it drops, allowing them to keep what they need and giving the rest new life. The surplus is taken to local farmers markets, where it not only supports his small business but also builds awareness around food recovery and local sourcing. Even the peels and scraps are given a second act—crafted into natural products that reflect Harrison’s deep commitment to full-circle sustainability.

But Harrison’s impact doesn’t stop at doorsteps and market stalls. He volunteers his time and energy in community gardens across the Phoenix area, generously sharing his knowledge and rolling up his sleeves alongside neighbors. His hands-on support has strengthened many growing spaces, bringing thoughtful insight and consistent care to every bed he touches. Currently, he oversees a 2.5-acre farm at the Phoenix St. Vincent de Paul campus, where he stewards the land with both agricultural wisdom and a big heart. Under his guidance, the farm has become a space of healing, growth, and opportunity—providing fresh produce, education, and dignity through food.

Harrison embodies a quiet leadership, driven not by ego but by empathy. His work reminds us that tending to the land is also a way of tending to each other. Whether he's composting, cultivating, teaching, or harvesting, Harrison approaches every task with sincerity, generosity, and a genuine love for the earth. His vision is one where no fruit goes to waste, no hand goes unheard, and every patch of soil has the potential to bloom into something meaningful.