Our People
LaTasha Powell
AFC President & Co-Founder (She/Her)
Tasha leads Appetite For Change as President, guiding AFC’s members, programming, and path. She is a lifelong North Minneapolis resident and has been active in the local food justice movement, advocating for and giving back to her community. Tasha is passionate about food access and knowledge for Northside families. Tasha co-founded Appetite For Change in 2011 and has helped grow the organization from a $25,000 startup to a $2 million consortium of several programs. Prior to being appointed as President of the organization, Tasha served as the organization's Chief Operating Officer and has directed every facet of the programs. Tasha holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Metro State University where she graduated Cum Laude and in 2017 was named the university's Alumna of the Year.
Princess Titus
Senior Engagement Officer & Co-Founder (She/Her)
Princess builds connections and nurtures relationships as Senior Engagement Officer. She has worked in North Minneapolis as a licensed trainer and educator for more than twenty years. Princess is passionate about working with families to build healthy foundations for lifelong learning.
Sandy Peacock
Director of Advancement (She/Her)
Stay tuned - staff bio still to come!
Nicole Powell
Community Cooks Program Manager (She/Her)
Stay tuned - staff bio still to come!
Taijah Powell
Youth Training & Opportunities Program Manager (She/Her)
La'Taijah Powell (Taijah) is AFC's YTOP manager. Born and raised in North Minneapolis, she believes in being a servant leader, meeting youth where they are, and using her knowledge and resources to help them get where they want to be. She was awarded as the Homegrown Hero in 2015, was featured in The ROOT as one of 2018's Future Leaders, and most recently received the 2023 Young Change Makers Award. She enjoys spending her time with young people and traveling.
Frank Licari
Urban Agriculture Program Manager (He/Him)
Frank is a homegrown Minnesotan with a deep love of food and farming. As the leader of the Urban Agriculture team, Frank cultivates urban plots throughout North Minneapolis to grow vibrant, nutritious produce for the community. He brings a myriad of skills to the team, having experience in market gardening, permaculture, wholesale vegetable farming, landscaping, forestry and conservation. Outside of work Frank enjoys playing music, writing, adventuring into the wilderness, and roasting winter squash.
Kortni Ringwall
Community Cooks Program Facilitator (They/Them)
As the Community Cooks Program Facilitator, Kortni has been with AFC for over a year and half. They have been a chef for 15 years and have been everything from Dishwasher and Prep Cook to Executive Pastry Chef and Chef de Cuisine, with their passion for food starting at an early age. They grew up on a research farm in the Badlands of Western North Dakota and have been a proud Northsider for almost 10 years. Kortni loves their wife, 3 dogs, and 60+ houseplants equally.
Tamar Rubin-Calvert
Youth Training & Opportunities Program Facilitator (She/Her)
Tamar was born and raised in Madison, WI, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Global Environmental Studies and Master’s degree in Community Development and Planning with a focus on Youth Development from Clark University in Worcester, MA. While living, studying, and working in Worcester, she fell in love with youth work and food justice. She is passionate about equipping young people with knowledge about the food systems they participate in and building confidence in using their voices to strengthen their communities.
Liz Rentzel
Urban Agriculture Program Facilitator (She/Her)
Liz is new to Minneapolis, but growing plants with people has been a part of her life for a long time. She has been part of many community gardens, and has worked on farms, as a landscaper, and in indoor plant care. She's grateful to get the opportunity to grow food with Appetite For Change, and her favorite vegetable is winter squash.
Steven A. Forns
Operations Manager (He/Him)
As the operations manager, Steven has overall responsibility for AFC’s day-to-day operational work in many areas including finance, HR, administration, IT, CRM & data management, facilities, and the kitchen sink. Prior to joining the AFC team, Steven’s work experience was primarily rooted in academia and the coffee industry; he shifted his focus to community work upon moving to Northeast Minneapolis in 2019. He is passionate about roleplaying games, sustainable coffee, and the writings of Wendell Berry.