Program Manager
Nicole Barbuch (they/she/ella/elle) - Nicole has spent most of their life immersed in the world of non-profits- from being a Youth Farmer and Intern at the Marion Polk Food Share Youth Farm as a teen to Executive Director of Emerging Unidos. Growing food for their community, restoring native habitats, caring for soil ecology and other beings, working to uplift others to create equity and access for our forgotten and underserved communities, and reconnecting to ancestral wisdom and care for the land have all played instrumental parts in Nicole's life and professional career. These deep passions for the care of others and the land through mutual aid, ecological restoration, and traditional ecological knowledge are central to their role at SLC as they endeavor to assess, map, and plan for the restoration and human interaction of SLC's Fir Grove site.
Board of Directors
The all-volunteer SLC Board of Directors oversees the finances of the SLC and provides the planning, direction, and vision for the SLC. Current Directors include:
Katie Bonham - Katie joined the SLC board in early 2025. She has worked in environmental consultation for over a decade, with a focus on cultural resources. Katie is passionate about the environment, and people’s role within it. While currently a project manager and supervisor, her focus in college and her early professional years was on the study of ancient human ecology, with a particular interest in diet. She enjoys traveling, gardening, habitat-creation, hiking, music, art, culture, a great story, and is a lifelong learner. As an animal-lover, Katie has volunteered as a public educator and worker for several wildlife rescues and an equestrian center, in addition to helping various pet foster and adoption groups. She moved to PCC because of her strong belief in a better future for urban living that includes sustainability, community, green spaces, and balance.
Jeremy Greenwood - Jeremy joined the board in Fall of 2024. Jeremy grew up on a small homestead outside of Falls City, Oregon where he gained an appreciation for growing food and living close to the land. With an engineering background in electronics and software Jeremy co-founded a 501c3 nonprofit called Spark Studio Salem in 2018, which is a local makerspace community workspace. Jeremy runs a non alcoholic beverage business focused on community and a love for biodiverse agriculture. Jeremy is passionate about sustainability because he feels this is a natural way forward for communities to thrive more now and to continue thriving for future generations.
Dennis Gutknecht, Treasurer - Dennis joined the board in early 2024, bringing extensive experience to the role of Treasurer. He has a BA in economics, an MBA in finance, and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certificate. Now retired, Dennis previously managed project teams evaluating government programs first for the Governmental Accountability Office and then for the Bonneville Power Administration, as well as managed an investment partnership. Dennis also serves on the PCC Urban Farm Committee, is an avid gardener, and is dedicated to developing a more sustainable community.
Meghan Ochal, Secretary & Interim President - Meghan joined the SLC board in early 2025. She’s worked in the public health sector for almost two decades, previously in the federal government and more recently as an independent consultant focusing on nonprofit management, data analysis, and process improvement. She also owned and operated an organic vegetable farm with her husband in Maryland prior to moving to Oregon in 2023, and is committed to promoting sustainability in her and others’ lives. Meghan also serves as secretary of the board of an organization that promotes community-based health initiatives in Chile.
Sara Olsher - Sara has been a member of the board since 2024, bringing extensive experience from her work in both nonprofit and for-profit marketing. Her commitment to environmental preservation was sparked by her first job at a nonprofit dedicated to protecting public lands, inspiring a lifelong dedication to sustainability. As a board member, Sara is passionate about making sustainable practices accessible and approachable for everyone. After a breast cancer diagnosis in her early thirties, she developed a strong commitment to whole, organic foods, further reinforcing her advocacy for healthier, more sustainable living.
Nina Remple - Nina joined the board in March 2026. A lifelong Oregonian, born and raised in Salem, Nina has been environmentally conscious beginning with the passage of the bottle return bill. Nina recently retired from state service where she worked to advocate for health insurance for Oregonians. Nina volunteers in the PCC Urban Farm glasshouses and assists with recycling for the community. Nina wants to show how small efforts can have a big impact on sustainability for our planet. Advocating for sustainable living and a healthy environment encourages a healthier community.
The SLC Board of Directors holds periodic meetings to determine the goals, strategies, and programming of the SLC. These meetings are open to the public and the public may request records of SLC Board of Directors meetings and decisions. Please contact info@slcsalem.org to receive information on upcoming meetings or request information on past meetings.
If you are interested in becoming a Board member (or otherwise sharing your skills and knowledge with the SLC) or have any questions, please reach out to Meghan Ochal at meghan@slcsalem.org. Thank you!