Our Board & advisors

Magic Squad of Vision and Power

LaShauna Austria, Board chair

LaShauna is the owner of Kindred Seedlings Farm, reclaiming land and food in Alamance County. LaShauna is a community organizer and farmer commitment to and deep experience in building strong, vibrant, and sustainable communities. She possesses a demonstrated record of collaborating with rural communities and secular organizations to address race, food justice and equity issues. Building on her substantial experience in leadership, management, and administrative roles with for-profit and nonprofit organizations, she has devoted her current professional life to promoting racial equity and building better food systems for the residents of Alamance and surrounding areas. We are thrilled to have this superwoman back on board!

Patrick McGarry, Board Member

Patrick McGarry has been a mail clerk at Blue Cross/Blue Shield for over 10 years. He enjoys health, fitness, nutrition farming, music, diversity and research. He’s served for over 6 years on the Orange County Agriculture Preservation Board, and volunteered at many events for nonprofit organizations, including Penny Lane Farm. He is committed to Abundance NC, because he believes in taking care of the environment by being a local sustainable farm consumer and follower of issues. He has taken both phases of Racial Equity Institute, which strongly recommend everybody to do.

Scott Bates, Board Treasurer

Scott Bates is a partner at C.W. Dunn & Associates, CPAs, PLLC in Pittsboro, NC. He is a big fan of Abundance NC’s involvement with the community through their cultural events and programs. He serves as the Board Treasurer guiding the organization when needed.

advisory board

tami schwerin, founder / advisory

to tami schwerin, no mountain is too high, no goal too lofty – she sees in pure potential. to abundance, she is the founder: visionary, community builder, and cartographer of the impossible. to the wide world, she’s a sun dancer, spirit seeker, sparkle mama, and backwoods country queen. her vibrancy is utterly contagious – her eyes, set on the horizon. tami wears life’s difficulties like a pair of bright red pumps. she is a vision of creativity and grace.

Stephanie Terry, Advisory

Stephanie Terry is a Race Equity Community Organizer, activist, and advocate. She was the Founding Organizer for Justice United in Community Effort and Industrial Areas Foundation organization. She is also co-founder of Organizing Against Racism-Orange County, a Racial Equity Institute Affiliate. Stephanie’s extensive training in community organizing includes Non-Violent Communication and Emotional Intelligence for Effective Leadership. She has also spent many years in training with Racial Equity Institute. Stephanie was the Lead Organizer for the Campaign for Racial Equity in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools where she led a campaign to address the achievement gap; the recommendations from the campaign were adopted by the school board. Stephanie has also contracted with The Durham Health Department as a Race Equity Consultant/Facilitator for Sugar Smart Durham. She lives in Chatham County, NC with her son Malachi and her husband Michael and is the co-owner of Sweeties Southern Vegan Food Co.