our Team
Staff
Earth Matter NY
Shawn Garcia
Executive Director
Shawn joined Earth Matter as Executive Director in November 2026, but his roots with the organization go back to 2021, when he went through the Compost and Farm Apprenticeship program. Originally from East Harlem and the Bronx, he traces much of his lived experience to growing up as a Puerto Rican kid in climate justice communities. He’s been a longtime NYC community gardener, both uptown and on the Lower East Side, where he’s also a community organizer. A Certified Master Composter since 2019, he founded the LES Compost Project and most recently served as Director of Advocacy at Transportation Alternatives. When he’s not in the compost, you’ll find him on his gravel bike or playing a TTRPG.
Andrea Lieske
Interim Executive Director + Zero Waste Island Manager
Andrea joined Earth Matter in 2013 as an apprentice and was fortunate enough to turn her passion for playing with microbes into a job. She has been an active composter and community garden member in Harlem since 2012, where she is a founding member of the compost group the Earth Picklers.
Charlie Bayrer
Co-founder &
Compost Operations Manager
Charlie has been an active community composter and gardener for 13 years. He was a co-chair of the Brooklyn Queens Land Trust healthy soils initiative, which sampled and tested the soil in all 34 member gardens from 2007 to 2008.
David Klein
Organics Recovery Coordinator
David initially volunteered through NY Cares to look after our chickens in the 2015 Winter season. In April 2015, David dedicated his time to complete our 200 hr compost apprenticeship program. Throughout his time with us, David regularly maintained a calm, thoughtful demeanor, determined to pursue work in the sustainability field.
Sandra Watanabe
Reuse Coordinator and Lavender Field Coordinator
Sandra (she/her) loves community gardening and community composting for its ability to unite diverse people as well as its vital role in making our city more equitable, resilient, and sustainable. She came to Earth Matter in the Spring of 2022 as a GreenThumb Farm and Compost Apprentice, participated in the Zero Waste Island Internship that Fall, and continues to contribute to and support Earth Matter’s mission and work with the Zero Waste Island and Lavender Field teams.
Jessica Wang
Community Composting Administrative Manager
Jessica joined the Earth Matter team in 2024 as a Compost Project Administrative Manager. She has a MS in Accounting and is passionate about working within the sustainability field, particularly on materials recovery and circularity. She previously worked at the NYC Department of Sanitation on various programs to increase business and school participation in recycling and composting.
Sakina Shahid
Island Education Facilitator
Sakina joined the Earth Matter team in 2024 as the Island Education Facilitator. She has a background in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Health caring deeply about all levels of life on this planet. Back in Oregon, she has worked on several farms and converted her front lawn into a food forest!
Tiffany Yu
Citywide Education Facilitator
Tiffany joined the team in 2025. She discovered her love of community composting at Maple Street Community Garden in Brooklyn. Working outside with people, plants, and critters is one of her greatest joys, and she is passionate about helping Earth Matter reach people across all five boroughs.
Courtney Scheffler
Compost Operator
Courtney has experience operating a tractor and running food scrap drop offs as a compost coordinator and hauler. She is a member of the Whole Neighborhood Community Garden. Courtney was a 2024 Brooklyn Queens Land Trust Youth Education and Engagement Fellow where she led workshops and hands-on experience for young people while supporting the work of community gardens. She is passionate about compost education and experience being free and accessible to all.
Kristine Dunn
Development Associate
Kris began working on development and communications projects at Earth Matter in 2025. During her path from an early career in public libraries and creative small businesses across the city, she developed a passion for community-focused work and sustainable operations. With years of experience building partnerships across NYC, Kris believes in helping individuals own their power to create lasting environmental change.