Ofelia Lopéz Jímenez

Ofelia is a Mixteco elder and leader in the Mixteco region. Recently retired after a long career in community service, food sovereignty and reforestation. She oversees the daily operations, tree distribution and community building for Proyecto Rosenda. She has a long history of community involvement and activism in Oaxaca. Her mother “Rosenda” is the namesake for Proyecto Rosenda and was the clan matriarch that inspired this important work.

Neftalí Duran

Neftalí Duran is one of the Co-founders of Proyecto Rosenda, son of Ofelia and primary organizer of tree supplies and distribution as well as primary international contact.

Neftalí is well known for his work as a community cook, advocate, educator, and organizer, working towards an equitable food system and building a network of Indigenous food leaders. He is the co-founder of the I-Collective, an Indigenous collective that promotes a healthy food system that values people, traditional knowledge, and the planet over profit; as well as the Holyoke Food and Equity Collective, a local group of volunteers working toward food access in Holyoke, where he presently resides. His writing and culinary projects have been featured at the Smithsonian Native American museum, the Smithsonian museum of American history, the Native American Culinary Association, LongHouse Food Revival, Food52, Food and Wine Magazine, the Cooking Channel, and he has been a featured speaker at The Moth mainstage, Harvard, Smith College and more. Neftalí’s work is grounded in the belief that access to food is a human right.

Consuelo Duran Duran

Consuelo (AKA Chelo) is a community matriarch and traditional Mixteco basket weaver. She has worked in all aspects of indigenous community building & food sovereignty. Chelo is one of the leaders and decision makers for Proyecto Rosenda, ensuring projects align with community values and goals.

Miguel Ángel Lopéz Duran

Miguel is a an indigenous knowledge keeper and land tender. He has worked extensively in land stewardship and indigenous regenerative farming methods. He manages the larger projects and is the liason between the community and Proyecto Rosenda.

Flavio Lopéz Jimenez

Tio Flavio is a Mixteco commuinity elder and part of the Proyecto Rosenda leadership and main cultural council. He is an authority and knowledge keeper of the land and traditional foodways, seed keeper, planting techniques expert and all around cultural patriarch.

Laura Reed

Laura is a horticulturalist, farmer, activist and singer/songwriter. She helps with seasonal tree pruning and distribution as well as website maintenance, newsletters and general admin.