An accomplished architect by training, Nona leveraged that expertise to building North America’s first vertical hydroponic greenhouse and founding Vertical Harvest Farms. She pioneered the company to focus on inclusive, customized employment for people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities alongside her co-founder Caroline Croft-Estay. She conceived the company based on her experiences growing up with a brother with developmental disabilities, love of fresh and local food, obsession with great design and long-standing community involvement. Her organic connection to all aspects of the enterprise fuels Nona’s insight into the business and her dynamic leadership style has been recognized by CNN’s Champions of Change and Fast Company's Best Places to Work for Innovators. She is also a Tony Hsieh Award Fellow, working to reimagine the role of Human Capital in business and a WEF "Global Future Council on Cities" Member. Her career journey has been a perfect arc between architecture and entrepreneurship – landing squarely in the camp of “community builder” and champion of climate resilient civic infrastructure. In the process she’s become a strong voice for designing the future we want from the food we need, with a seat at the table for all.
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