Staff

Johanne Laboy is a community engagement professional with more than 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, and advocacy on behalf of underserved communities. She is passionate about improving health outcomes and expanding access to resources and opportunities for populations that have historically faced barriers to care and support. Johanne holds a Ph.D. in Communication with a concentration in Health and has interdisciplinary training in marketing and international business, communication, health sciences, and health promotion. Throughout her career, she has worked in both the private and academic sectors, including positions at NC State, Duke, and UNC. She currently serves as an adjunct assistant professor at the UNC School of Nursing Mobile Health Clinic. Her professional experience includes health communication and education, strategic marketing, community relations, public relations, and event planning. In addition, she has contributed to peer-reviewed research and co-authored articles published in academic journals.

Pronouns: She/her/ella

Jean Garcia is a rising senior at Valdosta State University, where he is pursuing a degree in Interpersonal Communication with a minor in Sociology. Jean first participated in the Into the Fields program in 2024, an experience that became a turning point in his personal and professional journey. In 2026, he returned to SAF as a Program Assistant, eager to support and mentor the next generation of leaders. As the child of farmworkers, Jean understands firsthand the importance of strong support systems and access to opportunity.

Pronouns: He/him/his

Lucia Arellano is from Yuma, Arizona, and is studying Business Law at Arizona State University. She plans to attend law school after graduation. Lucia participated in the Into the Fields program in 2025, where she gained a deeper understanding of farmworker communities and developed a strong passion for advocacy and social justice. She returned as a Program Assistant because she truly enjoyed her experience as an Into the Fields intern and wanted to continue supporting Student Action with Farmworkers and contribute to its programs in a new role this summer. Lucia is passionate about advocacy, community engagement, and supporting farmworker justice.

Pronouns: She/her/ella

Kétlye is from Fayetteville, North Carolina, and graduated from East Carolina University with a bachelor's degree in Public Health in 2024. She first joined SAF through the Into the Fields Internship in 2024, where she deepened her commitment to farmworker justice. Passionate about health equity and uplifting farmworkers and all workers, Kétlye strives for justice and respect in workplaces and communities alike.

Pronouns: She/her/ella

Ana is from Cary, North Carolina. She graduated from NC State University with a bachelor's degree in Business Marketing. Ana joined SAF as a Solidaridad Intern in 2023-2024 and is excited to work with SAF again as the Communication Arts Coordinator to support and uplift the farmworker community. Through combining her passion for social justice and art, she hopes to bring awareness to farmworker issues at a larger scale.

Pronouns: She/her/ella

Dannette grew up in Ohio and moved to North Carolina in 1992 to attend Duke University. She has worked as a labor organizer, on U.S. policy in Central and South America, and on Black land tenure. Dannette lives in Durham, North Carolina with her two children. She studies Black intellectual history in graduate school. She also loves yoga, baking bread, gardening, and nurturing her children’s passions and talents.

Pronouns: She/her/ella

Teresa is from a small town in rural North Carolina which is largely sustained by agriculture. Since discovering what it means to be part of the farmworker justice movement as a SOL 2022-2023 intern, and later as an ITF 2023 health intern and ITF 2024 program assistant, she is interested in continuing to connect with the communities that have raised her. Currently, she is pursuing her Master of Public Health from the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health with an expected graduation date of May 2026. Therefore, she is excited to be part of SAF as the Grassroots Organizer to use her skills in public health towards community organizing, advocacy, addressing social determinants of health, and deepening relationships with farmworkers.

Pronouns: She/her/ella

Fawn is a consultant who helps nonprofit organizations through leadership transitions. She has over twenty years of experience in leadership roles at nonprofit organizations in North Carolina, including as Executive Director, Interim Executive Director, Communications Director, and Board Chair. She served on the SAF Board of Directors from 2003-2009, and currently serves on the Board of Directors at the North Carolina Farmworkers Project. In addition to a BA from the University of Virginia and MA from UNC Chapel Hill, she holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, and a Certificate in Public Health from UNC Chapel Hill. She completed Armstrong McGuire’s Interim Executive certification in 2023.

Pronouns: She/her/ella