Dionne is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Project Roots, a Phoenix- and Seattle-based nonprofit advancing food access, sustainability, and community education through urban farming. Since 2019, she has built strong partnerships with farmers, food banks, and public agencies, leading Project Roots to earn recognition including the 2022 Women of Achievement Award and 2024 Emerging Sustainability Leader by Arizona Forward.

Her leadership experience spans nonprofit management, sustainable food systems, and advocacy. She co-chairs the Arizona Farm to School Network’s Local Foods in Schools group and has held roles with the Arizona Food Bank Network, Phoenix Food Co-Op, and Spaces of Opportunity. Nationally, she is an inaugural member of the BIPOC Farmer/Food Bank Group within the Feeding America network.

Dionne has presented at conferences such as the AZ Food Summit, The Power of We Symposium, and the 2025 Feeding America SONA Conference in Dallas, Texas, with features in Fox 10 News, New York Times, ABC15, Arizona Republic, Green Living Magazine, Edible Phoenix, and High Country News (2025).

In addition to her nonprofit leadership, she is a certified WNBPA agent representing WNBA veteran Temeka Johnson, helping athletes expand their impact through community engagement and philanthropy. Currently pursuing her DBA in Marketing, Dionne’s research explores how professional athletes use nonprofits to drive sustainable community change.

Looking forward, she is committed to mentoring emerging leaders and developing scalable, replicable models at the intersection of nonprofit and sports that foster lasting social impact.

Genel Burwell is a dedicated community leader with a passion for creating spaces and opportunities that bring people together. She has spent more than three decades in parks and recreation, overseeing major capital projects, community programs, and partnerships that promote equity, engagement, and sustainability. Currently serving on the Board of Project Roots, Genel brings her expertise in strategic planning, resource development, and community outreach to help advance the organization’s mission. She is committed to fostering strong, vibrant communities where all residents can thrive.

Jessica Diamond is the Co-Founder and Director of Programs for Project Roots, a Phoenix- and Seattle-based nonprofit dedicated to food justice, nutrition, and community empowerment. A former Division I basketball player from Houston, Texas, Jessica earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her master’s degree in Exercise Science from Wichita State University. Her studies reflect her desire to understand the mind and body—not only to better herself, but also to support the health and growth of her community. While in college, she volunteered at food banks and served meals at The Lord’s Diner in Wichita, an experience that ignited her passion for service and deepened her commitment to fighting hunger. Growing up in underserved communities, Jessica experienced the challenges of poverty and food insecurity firsthand, which later fueled her dedication to nutrition, wellness, and growing her own food—ultimately leading to the founding of Project Roots. Within the organization, Jessica has been instrumental in building programs, forging partnerships, raising funds, planning and managing events, and overseeing operations, budgets, and forecasts. She is driven by the belief that communities thrive when everyone has access to fresh, healthy food, and she is dedicated to creating a future free of hunger and food waste.

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