Kirkwood and Donna Hale’s journey spans continents, from eight years in Scotland to two years in Rwanda, fueling their vision to create impactful spaces in their community. With over 30 years of landscape design expertise through his company Garden Authority. Kirkwood has now realized his dream with Plantable: a place where beauty cultivates positive change. Kirkwood looks forward to the impact Plantable will have in the lives of those in their training program and in the Redding community and beyond. Kirkwood’s other passion is being a good dad to his grown daughter and son.

Donna Hale’s career as an educator, spanning more than three decades, took a transformative turn in Rwanda. While there, she managed The African Bagel Company, a training center empowering women, a model she deeply admired. This experience, along with eight years in Scotland, led her to co-create Plantable, bringing a sustainable social enterprise vision to her community. She is responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of Plantable and helping to create events for the community. Donna is also a proud mother to son, Eden, who works alongside her and her husband at Plantable, and daughter, Lily.

With 19 years in the horticulture industry, Nicki Thieme has nurtured a deep passion for plant maintenance and growth, evolving from a curious young woman captivated by gardens into a skilled and certified arborist. Her career has been a blend of cultivating vibrant landscapes, managing the health of towering trees, and most of all, sharing that knowledge by teaching others about the wonders of plants. Whether she’s shaping a backyard oasis or preserving an ancient oak, she aims to blend traditional with modern, creating harmonious spaces where nature and people connect.