An illustration of a woman caring with love to Soil and Soul Farm's garden full of produce.

board of directors

Sofia jouravel

Sofia is the Director of the Russian-speaking Jewish Division at the Jewish United Fund, which engages the Russian-speaking Jewish community in the Chicagoland area with a focus on outreach to families and professionals in the areas of leadership development, community engagement, volunteering, and charitable giving. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Environmental Economics and Policy and worked in the pharmaceutical industry before earning a Masters in Public Health from Northwestern University and working in the sustainable food industry. A proud locavore, she enjoys tasting her way through new experiences both close to home and on her travels with her husband and two daughters.

daron Joffe

Daron is a nationally recognized biodynamic farmer, designer, speaker, entrepreneur and educator. He is the author of the acclaimed book "Citizen Farmers: The Biodynamic Way to Grow Healthy Food, Build Thriving Communities and Give Back to the Earth" and has spent the past 25 years designing and building community farms and gardens all over the country. Daron has worked on a wide range of public and private farm development projects ranging from residential “agrihood” communities like Serenbe, Rancho Mission Viejo and Fox Point Farms to non-profit projects such as Coastal Roots Farm and Camp Twin Lakes. Daron founded Citizen Farmers, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and empowering individuals through farming and gardening experiences. The mission is to connect people with their food, community, and environment by imparting essential life lessons and values derived from agriculture.

britni deleon

Britni is the co-founder of FARE, a fast-casual restaurant redefining the industry with seasonal meals that are both nourishing and craveable. A passionate advocate for wholesome ingredients and their connection to overall well-being, Britni has been a pioneer in proving that fast-casual dining can prioritize quality, transparency, and flavor. Under her leadership, FARE has grown to multiple locations and continues to disrupt the restaurant space. While Britni attended the University of Illinois in Chicago, her most valuable lessons have come from hands-on experience and a commitment to lifelong learning in the field.

Jonathan copeland

Jonathan is a real estate investor and asset manager with nearly a decade of experience at an institutional real estate investment firm. His work spans a range of property types and markets, with a particular focus on hotels and senior living. At the same time, he holds a deep appreciation for the unquantifiable power of design—shaped by a sensitivity to beauty, aesthetics, and functionality—as well as a reverence for nature, Jewish tradition, and the principles of slow living. His involvement with the Institute of Soil and Soul reflects the values he and his wife hope to pass on to their twin sons: that real food and a meaningful life come from the earth, and that connection to land, community, and heritage is essential to a flourishing future.

rian spencer

Rian has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. As a Wealth Management Advisor, she partners with high-net-worth individuals and their families to develop bespoke strategies that align with their legacy and long-term financial goals. Rian holds a B.A. in Spanish from Ohio University and an M.B.A. from Roosevelt University. Deeply committed to giving back, she serves on the advisory boards of the Women’s Leadership Council and the Walter E. Heller College of Business at Roosevelt University, Shelter Youth and Family Services, and Soil & Soul Farm.