Meet Our Team
Sarah Adams (She/Her)
Director, Entrepreneurship & Economic Wellbeing, International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City
Email: Sarah.Adams@rescue.org
Sarah assumed the position of Entrepreneurship and Economic Wellbeing Program Director in early 2023 and oversees a suite of services that support the business needs, economic mobility, and financial self-sufficiency of IRC's refugees and new American clients. Sarah has worked with IRC since 2016, and most recently served as the Program Manager for the IRC's New Roots in Salt Lake City program.
Sarah holds a B.A. in Peace & Conflict Studies from UC Berkeley. Sarah has over a decade of experience in non-profit program management including working in food systems and supporting entrepreneurship programs for refugee and asylee communities. Sarah’s previous work prior to IRC includes conducting human rights research to support gender-based asylum claims, farming and food access work, and providing technical support and building a community of practice among farmers and ranchers in Northern California.
Sierra Govett (She/Her)
New Roots Program Manager
Email: Sierra.Govett@rescue.org
Started: July 2018
Favorite Veggie: Tomatoes
As the New Roots Program Manager, Sierra oversees the New Roots program in Salt Lake City including the farmers markets, food access, youth agriculture, and gardening and farm training programs.
Sierra graduated from the University of Utah with dual degrees in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and Ballet in 2018. She was drawn to New Roots from working at the campus gardens during her time in college and from volunteering with Promise South Salt Lake, an after school program for refugee and new American kids. She is also still dancing and occasionally performing with Municipal Ballet Co.
Amina Muktar (She/Her)
New Roots Markets Coordinator
Email: Amina.Muktar@Rescue.org
Started: May 2023
Favorite Veggies: Cabbages and Carrots
Amina manages sales opportunities for New Roots farmers, which include farmers markets and a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program that provides 100-200 member households with a weekly box of fresh vegetables during the growing season. Amina is passionate about helping refugees reach economic well-being through entrepreneurship and food security and sustainable living.
Amina graduated from the University of Utah with a major in Social Work. She was drawn to New Roots because of its mission and diversity in projects available to staff. When Amina is not working you can find her spending time with loved ones or watching documentaries regarding different social issues.
Jaime Schuyler (She/Her)
New Roots Agriculture and Food Access Coordinator
Email: Jaime.Schuyler@rescue.org
Started: April 2022
Favorite veggie: Bell Peppers and Carrots
Jaime is the point-person for all farm sites and community gardens. She manages agriculture infrastructure and farmer/gardener communication and support.
Jaime graduated from Western Washington University in 2020 with dual degrees in Sociology and Spanish. Her upbringing from two botanist parents and constant involvement with the land; through volunteer farm work and personal gardens, steered her towards finding New Roots. Through travel and teaching English she cultivated a passion for working with a diverse population and providing access to unique resources. When she's not on the farm, you can find Jaime in the pottery studio or in the mountains; climbing, running and mountain biking.
Khatima Emami (She/Her)
Food Entrepreneurship Client Services Coordinator
Email: Khatima.Emami@rescue.org
Started: June, 2024
Favorite Veggie: Eggplant ( I fry them and make sauce with yogurt, so delicious!) and Potatoes (I like them because you can make anything from it, like chips.)
In her free time Khatima enjoys engaging in a variety of activities like watching serials and movies, exercising, enjoying nature, reading, and writing. She loves to add enriching experiences to her life through traveling to explore the world and visit loved ones.
Khatima was drawn to New Roots through her passion of connecting with diverse people and learning from others' experiences and sharing her own experiences that can create meaningful connections and foster understanding communities. Her favorite part of the job is being able to support people. This position is very valuable to her because it can positively impact both those who are in the program and leaves her feeling empowered.
Vy Ho (She/Hers)
New Roots Youth Agriculture Specialist
Email: Vy.Ho@Rescue.org
Started: February 2022
Favorite Veggies: Green Beans and Vietnamese Veggies!
Vy supports refugee and new American youth in the YALL program (Youth, Agriculture, Livestock and Leadership) as they grow into themselves and their community while learning about gardening, food justice, and leadership. She fondly remembers the joy and magic she felt gardening throughout her childhood, and hopes to impart the same sense of wonder to the youth in YALL.
Vy has a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Utah and comes to New Roots with experience in creating a community garden, working as a Social Worker within refugee and homelessness issues, and growing food for youth education. When she's not playing in the garden, she can be found cooking with friends, hammocking under a tree, or planning an adventure.
Abeer Arbab (She/Her)
New Roots Program Specialist; focus on youth program and markets
Email: Abeer.Arbab@Rescue.org
Started: May 2023
Favorite Veggies: Carrots, Green Beans and Cucumbers
Abeer supports the refugee and new American youth in the YALL program (Youth, Agriculture, Livestock and Leadership) as they grow into themselves and their community while learning about gardening, food justice, and leadership. Helping educate refugee and new American youth in grades 8-12 on topics related to food justice, agriculture, leadership. Our youth engage in their local food systems at the Redwood Farm and markets, all while learning leadership skills, growing as a team and most importantly, having fun! The youth will be taking all they’ve learned and putting it into a delicious veggie share for you to take home each week.
Abeer graduated from Cottonwood high school. Through many years of working as a caregiver and in the special education field, she was drawn towards the New Roots Y’all program.
Abeer enjoys cooking and cleaning can be in the kitchen for whole day.
Kati Robison (She/Her)
New Roots Program Specialist; focus on market and sales programs
Email: Kati.Robison@Rescue.org
Started: May 2023
Kati is part of the New Roots Markets team. She has been with the IRC since 2021 in a few different roles. Currently, Kati is helping farmers sell produce at the farmers markets, and facilitating more direct relationships between farming businesses and buyers.
Kati enjoys being outside in the sun, so naturally, the farm feels heavenly; aside from all the creepy crawly things. She loves plants, camping, nature walks with her old dog, and learning new things. When she is not outside in the sun or working, you can usually find her curled on the couch with a book or a puzzle.