Get To Know Our Team!

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Eiswerth, a resident of Tucson since 1992, worked as a research geologist specializing in GeoSpatial Information Technologies with the US Geological Survey. After ten years working extensively with technology transfer in Latin America, she pursued a career as an environmental scientist working at the Office of Arid Lands, Arizona Remote Sensing Center. Her work included projects in East and West Africa. In 2003, after receiving her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona, Eiswerth founded a community based organization, which soon focused on UN refugees. The programs have evolved from harvesting a few thousand pounds of fruit to an annual harvest of over 50 tons of fruit, nuts, and vegetables from backyards, local farms and orchards. Barbara serves on the state Linking Edible Arizona Forests (LEAF) steering committee, heads the UALEAF project, and is an adjunct at the University of Arizona in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment.

ISKASHOP MANAGER / SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Eris joined Iskashitaa in May of 2023 after graduating from the University of Arizona with a degree in food studies and public policy. Throughout her studies she grew a passion for grassroots level ways to impact change in the food system. She previously worked for the Whetstone Prison Project teaching gardening, sustainability and food systems classes in prisons and prison reentry centers in Tucson. Eris is currently the Iskashop Manager as well as the Social Media and Website Manager at Iskashitaa. Outside of work Eris loves to bake (especially with Iskashitaa harvested fruits) and play her with Mainecoon cat named Roo.

GRANTS AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Amelia Natoli currently serves on the staff of Iskashitaa Refugee Network as the principal grant writer and development manager. She knew immediately that she wanted to be part of the organization after meeting Barbara sometime around 2012. Amelia took on various roles over the past seven years as a volunteer, lead harvester, intern through the AZ Dept of Forestry Edible Tree Fellowship, and then as a grant writing consultant. Her first chance to help with a grant proposal was interrupted by the arrival of a shipment of live chickens that needed to be distributed. In a pandemic-induced life change, she earned her Master's in Public Health in 2021 after a 24-year career as a field archaeologist in the Southwest. She loves using her background in global health in a local setting, and promoting Tucson as an example of community integration and food justice.

Zingbawi Ken is the new lead for our Wednesday Refugee Garden Art Program (RGAP). She will be serving through Shalom Mennonite, the local chapter of National Mennonite Volunteer Services.
Zing was born and raised in Hakha, a tiny town in western Myanmar. After discovering her passion for humanitarian work, she spent several years working for a faith-based non-profit organization. She recently finished her MA in Humanitarian Disaster Leadership at Wheaton College in Illinois.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Charlie Dors (they/them/theirs) is a recent graduate from Northern Arizona University, earning a B.A. in Political Science and a B.S. in Sociology, with a minor in Applied Indigenous Studies. They are currently serving as the AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer Coordinator. Being a part of an immigrant family, the role of food in Charlie’s life was always a way to celebrate and connect people, however was also a major need for many families. As Charlie became involved with community organizing in high school, food insecurity remained a consistent issue across different communities. Charlie’s work as a research assistant at NAU allowed them to connect their involvement serving the LGBTQ2S+ community and human rights issues in South America and SWANA, which is what made them interested in joining Iskashitaa. Charlie is excited to help build community amongst volunteers and make them feel supported and appreciated! Outside of work, Charlie stays involved in various social issues, such as disability justice, and enjoys weightlifting and thrifting.

Lead Volunteers

LEAD HARVESTER + VISIONARY FREELANCER
I was born in Southern Illinois. I always had a passion for dance, as it reaches to my Nigerian Roots, but I didn’t fully come into my artistic spirit until I moved to Atlanta at the age of 21. The overwhelming arts scene helped me truly come into myself. From there, I met an amazing figure in my life, that ended up taking me under his wing.
My passion grew from dance, to film to business, and eventually it all became an inspiration for me to find a way to impact our community through the celebration of the arts. As my skills grew, I had spent time bringing people together, making choreographies, and directing projects for local artists. After spending 7 years sharpening my skills and working with nonprofits, I moved to Tucson in March 2020.
I took a chance to start over. During the pandemic, Iskashitaa Refugee Network were the only ones taking volunteers, and I have been working closely with them ever since. I have still maintained a long distance work relationship with Panda Co Media (a company my mentor and I built on) and have done edits for businesses, school performances, and more. I have been patiently building towards a production company that connects entertainment with the roots of our culture, education, and environmental health.

REDISTRIBUTION
Came to Tucson in 1953 at 13 years old. Worked at UCLA and University of Arizona for 30 years in cancer biology as a research specialist where I worked with many foreign students and post docs. Using early DNA Engineering techniques as tools, I studied oncogenes, authored technical papers, managed and taught others. With my husband, we raised three children, now scattered. I have been working with Iskashitaa for about 10 years.
It gives me great satisfaction to see food and produce in large quantities going to good use. I enjoy working with folks from all backgrounds. I like the idea of using my volunteering so that others can volunteer. Iskashitaa offers variety in people to know and work to do.

LEAD HARVESTER
Russell was born & raised in northern New Jersey (NJ) until his family moved to Iran in the mid-late 70's where he attended his middle years of high school at Teheran American School (TAS). He returned to NJ for his senior year of HS and then on to the University of Maryland where he earned a BS in Civil Engineering. After working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as a contractor for a telecommunications company, he returned to the Maryland suburbs of D.C. where he worked at the National Weather Service (NWS), met his wife Donna and raised their two children. After retiring from the NWS in August 2020, he moved to Tucson where he volunteers and enjoys working at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, picking up trash & removing invasive species from the Santa Cruz River with his fellow volunteers, and of course helping out harvesting citrus with Iskashitaa Refugee Network. Russell spends his leisure time travelling the USA & internationally, biking The Loop, hiking various trails around Tucson, and of course eating out at the wonderful restaurants & food trucks around the city.