Our members are driven and community oriented people with their own specialties.
PlantxChange is led by artists, educators, gardeners, and community organizers—many of whom grew up in New York City and share deep ties to the marginalized communities we serve. We understand the barriers our neighbors face in accessing green space, healing resources, and environmental education, and we work to create spaces that center care, culture, and connection.
Our team brings together diverse skills—from horticulture and public policy to zine-making and civil engineering—to build accessible, land-based programming rooted in justice and joy. We are supported by a passionate network of volunteers who help us grow our vision of reciprocity, community stewardship, and collective healing.
Russell Rovira
Co-founder, Program Director
Russell (he/him) is a co-founder of PlantxChange and a passionate educator, ethnobotanist, and community organizer. With a background in public policy, urban ecology and horticulture, Russell bridges ancestral plant knowledge with contemporary practices. His work centers on the healing relationship between people and plants, offering trauma-informed, culturally rooted workshops across New York City. Through PlantxChange, he creates accessible educational spaces that honor land stewardship, collective care, and the wisdom of diasporic and Indigenous traditions.
Makayla Marchese
Co-founder
Makayla (she/her) is a Brooklyn native and dedicated member of the PlantxChange collective since 2020. She supports the team in plant propagation, operations coordination, and event planning. Makayla’s work is grounded in her passion for accessible plant education and renewing the connection between people and the natural world.
A practicing artist, Makayla teaches botanical cyanotype workshops, combining art and ecology to explore plant impressions through sunlight. She is also pursuing a Horticulture Certificate at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Makayla currently lives in Queens with her partner, their cat Casper, and her loyal dog Pablo.
Simone Jones
Co-founder
Simone Jones (she/her) grew up in New York and is deeply moved by the joy and healing that growing plants bring. She supports the team with administrative work, plant propagation, and grant writing, helping sustain and grow the impact of our programming.
Rooted in love for her city and its people, Simone is committed to creating spaces where nature, healing, and collective care intersect.
Milo
Content Creater, Community Engagement
Milo (she/her) is a devoted cat lover, zine-maker, and community steward based in Brooklyn. At PlantxChange, she creates beautifully crafted zines and other educational content that make plant knowledge accessible and engaging. Milo is passionate about mutual aid, storytelling, and uplifting community voices through creative media.
As a local steward, she is on a mission to permanently remove knotweed from her backyard.
Karma Sarita
Operations
Karma (she/her) is a civil engineer currently working in transportation infrastructure. They support PlantxChange operations and workshops. A longtime friend of the co-founders, Karma helps bridge technical expertise with grassroots organizing, ensuring everything runs smoothly. They love being active and spending time outdoors.