P.O.P. Board Members

The P.O.P. Board steers Promise of Peace towards a sustainable future by adopting sound and ethical governance and financial management policies, as well as making sure that P.O.P. has adequate resources to advance its mission.

Elizabeth Dry - As a professional educator for over three decades, I became frustrated as I observed more and more children becoming lost in the system, and when I realized that these same children were experiencing extremely high levels of hunger - I decided to do something about it. I could no longer hear the stories of children crying themselves to sleep at night as way to sooth themselves. And now, as all children are on screens and sometimes exposed to negative influences - we must create opportunities that ground, nourish and inspire them. Promise of Peace Gardens is dedicated to do this for everyone who steps into the P.O.P. food gardens. We want all children and their families to have sustained access to locally grown, nutrient dense food.
Terry Lynn Creenshaw
Cathy Peagues
Katerine O'Brien - I first moved to Dallas over 10 years ago and had the good fortune of living near POP's very first garden. As an educator, I was shocked at how disconnected our children were from their food. As POP expanded I witnessed the transformative power of the garden not just for children, but also for families and the community. Working with POP has helped me grow as well to understand the importance of sustainable agriculture, the seed to table cycle, and fueling your body with nutrient rich organic food. Now as a mom, competitive rower, attorney, and law firm owner I am proud to serve on the POP Board to help further POPS mission within our community and beyond so that others can experience the same growth, connection, and empowerment in the garden.
Francis Stroup - For years I would hear from my chef friends about Elizabeth and her work with the POP Gardens. After being laid off from my job and a cancer diagnosis, I finally had time to go see what this wonderful work was about. Sitting in the garden one day (proved to be quite therapeutic), I met some of her student volunteers. The students were tasting okra off the stalk and letting their parents taste it, then gathering some for mom to cook later. The middle school aged girl told me her mom had started cooking vegetables because of her work in the garden. I then realized how important Elizabeth’s work was and how she was changing lives. Fast forward to 2018. After going through my cancer treatments, I became very interested in nutrition as a preventative measure against cancer and other chronic disease. I became a volunteer of the garden and then became a board member in 2021.
Hana Lopez - As a graduate student studying mental health counseling, I deeply understand the critical role that mental well-being plays in leading a fulfilling life. One significant aspect that greatly influences mental health is nutrition; maintaining a balanced diet can have a profound impact. Additionally, research has shown that engaging in gardening activities can effectively alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, further highlighting the interconnectedness of physical and mental wellness. POP's mission of educating individuals on the origin of their food and providing access to nutrient dense ingredients is powerful and I'm proud to be a part of it.
Cara Goldberg
Salvador Nava - Gardening has a way of connecting people like no other hobby. Meeting Elizabeth for the first time was a memorable experience for me. I was impressed with her passion and desire to care for, teach, and inspire children using the garden. The mission of Promise of Peace is a necessity within the school system and community in a world where people are disconnected with how food gets to their table. I can see the benefit of all people learning to garden. Learning about what you eat can teach people about how God made our bodies as a temple that we need to take care of. I believe in connecting to God through the garden- and Promise of Peace is a perfect avenue to share the love that I have with the people around me, especially the children.
Jennifer Crutcher
Sharon Clark
Alexis Ramsey - The POP Gardens and food justice platform has profoundly resonated with me. Upon learning about the significant impact of the POP Dallas gardens, I felt a strong calling to become involved with this mission. With a strong commitment to yoga and holistic health, my dedication to the wellness journey started with a 200-hour Registered Yoga Therapist certification in 2012, next a certification as a Health Coach/Integrative Nutrition in 2016, followed by a 300-hour certification in 2019, It is a true privilege to share and promote overall wellness within my Mineola community, and I am excited to contribute to the POP Gardens' mission.
Debbie Roades, I am greatly looking forward to serving in any way I can as part of the POP board. My family and I are passionate about holistic wellness, including the greater community’s access to healthy, whole foods. In 2004, she and her husband moved to Australia where she began studying meditation, yoga, aromatherapy, food as medicine and other healing modalities, later becoming certified as a yoga teacher, aromatherapist and meditation facilitator. Three kids later and it was time to return to Texas to be closer to grandparents and other family. Together, Debbie and her family started a humble homestead near Yantis, Texas where they grow their own produce, meat and milk for production of lotions and personal use. Debbie homeschools her three kids, age 17, 16 and 12. In addition to running a small business selling handcrafted goats milk lotion and medicinal salves, Debbie uses her yoga certification to teach women how to find their inner power through movement, breathwork and meditation.
Marquita Stottern - Learning about the Promise of Peace (POP) mission and seeing what it brings to our community, has been exciting! I am eagerly anticipating all that is to come! With a background of raising three children in Mineola, being a previous Mineola shop owner, 20 years in technology and educational learning in the Mineola area (currently employed at Mineola ISD), owning an online business, and developing a future Airbnb with a small venue setting, I am thrilled have POP in our community and to become a part of their teamt! It will be inspiring to watch God move this innovative project forward using Elizabeth’s energy and desire to help our children and families as POP betters our community!