Our Team

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Kim Furtado, N.D.

Founder
Dr. Kim is a naturopathic doctor who specializes in science-based, patient focused, natural medicine. Her practice is located in Lewes Delaware. She received her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.D.) degree from Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington in 2000. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She was one of the founding board members for the Delmarva Community Wellnet Foundation (Wellnet) in 2004. Kim is also the garden educator at Southern DE School of the Arts (SDSA), our flagship location where she founded the program. She has been teaching the SNAC curriculum every year at SDSA since 2011.

Shandra Furtado

Executive Director
Shandra is in charge of keeping both plants and kids organized and happy as our Executive Director. She designs and manages our programs and vibrant outdoor spaces. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Ecology from George Washington University, is a certified permaculture designer through the Occidental Arts and Ecology center, and studied yoga & mindfulness in India. She loves sharing her knowledge of ecology, mindfulness, nutrition, and art with students, helping them make real life learning connections that extend beyond the garden.

AMber STarr Davis

Garden Educator at North Georgetown Elementary

Amber is passionate about sharing her healing experiences with nature, nutrition, and self-nourishment with students. She runs a small landscaping business focusing on landscapes with native plants and herbs, and is the founder of AHOM Holistic Health. She also works in the fitness industry as an Internal Strength and mobility specialist in the FRA System (functional range anatomy systems). Amber brings her unique knowledge of the body and environment to the SNAC garden to help students discover healthy practices to feel empowered in their health and foster environmental literacy to feel empowered in their community.

MAXINE MIDDLEBROOK

Garden Educator Howard T. Ennis

Maxine is our Garden Educator who takes care of garden maintenance and teaching at Howard T. Ennis. Maxine holds a Master’s Degree in Management and is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher. She is also the Director of Experience at HealTree, a holistic wellness center, and has previously worked in healthcare. Maxine loves to garden and students can always be found laughing and having fun in her presence.

Ms. Heather Tschop

Garden Educator at Longneck Elementary (K-2)

As a child, Heather remembers having a large vegetable garden and several flower beds. Her family ate salad and vegetables with dinner, every night.

Heather graduated from Gettysburg College with a B.A. in Child Development. She has a Master’s Equivalency in Early Childhood Education. She taught (1 st , K & 2 nd ) for 37 years in the Gettysburg Area School District in Pennsylvania. Her daughters and her had a large vegetable garden and many flower gardens there. She is “Grammy” to two grandsons. ( ages 2 ½ and 7)

She moved to Millsboro, DE in January of 2021 and wants to encourage children to eat vegetables and be healthy! The garden is her happy place!!

Board Members

  • Jennifer Scott

    President | Scott and Shuman Law

    Though she is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jen moved to Delaware in 1996 as part of her position at Carl M. Freeman Associates. Jen maintains that though she is still not a “local” Sussex Countian, she’s getting pretty close!

    Jen has worked primarily in business consulting and human resources, amassing over 20 years of experience in personnel management, project management, bookkeeping, and accounting. She has been with Scott and Shuman for 17 years, and currently holds the position of business manager at the firm. Jen has served on several non-profit boards, but her work on the Sussex Academy Executive Board has been her passion for the past decade. She has three children and two puppies, and enjoys spending time with them whenever they will tolerate it.

  • Jennifer Maguire

    Vice President | University of Delaware

    Jennifer brings her passion for education and community building as well as more than 20 years of corporate and non-profit communications, public relations and marketing experience to the SNAC board. Jennifer is an adjunct professor of communications and English, and has taught classes for more than 15 years at several colleges including Goldey-Beacom College, Wilmington University and Penn State Brandywine Campus. She is also a certified yoga instructor.

    Prior to her recent move to Delaware, Jennifer served as a board member and marketing committee chair for Good Samaritan Services from 2016 to 2021, a Phoenixville, PA based organization that provides services for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless.

    An avid reader and writer, art afficionado and life-long learner, Jennifer considers herself a student of everything and for fun, writes a blog (www.studentofeverything.com) where she whimsically explores life’s daily lessons.

  • Susan O'Doherty

    Member | Friends of Sussex CASA

    Susan has extensive experience in developing business strategy and executing on solutions, especially start- ups. She has previously worked for the FDIC, followed by Hewlett Packard for over 20 years. She is currently retired but serves as the president for Friends of Sussex CASA, and works to provide enrichment activities, experiences, and items to children in foster care, such as instruments or sports camps.

  • Conor Nally

    Treasurer of the Board | Nally Ventures

    Conor is our numbers guy, and he makes sure we can grow our vision into fruition from behind the books. Conor hit the ground running at Nally Ventures and hasn’t taken a moment’s pause since. Conor’s focus at Nally Ventures is growing the multiple real estate practices by implementing the cutting-edge technology, effective leadership, and thoughtful sustainability.

    Conor graduated from the University of Delaware with Bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Studies, and English. He continues is education through his involvement with various organizations such as the Urban Land Institute, National Association of Realtors.

  • Travis Bower

    Secretary of the Board | Senior Manager, Curriculum Development · CompTIA

    Travis is very passionate about education and ensuring that all students have the opportunities to grow and develop into a life-long learner that is prepared for success in their future careers and lives. He has spent the last few years developing a STEM program through robotics that help student cultivate skills and knowledge they did not know existed within themselves. Travis is the principal at the school that the SNAC program first started 10 years ago, and has been one of our biggest supporters along the way.

  • Christopher Budesheim

    Member | Howard T Ennis School

    Chris brings over 30 years experience working and advocating for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

    In his current position as Family Support Liaison, Chris has built many relationships with organizations throughout Sussex County to help provide students and their families with support for their diverse needs. His passion to help his students achieve success and lead their best, most independent lives is what motivates him daily. Chris has worked and volunteered with many non-profit organizations.

    He is currently the president of the HTE/IRAP PTO. His most cherished title is that of husband, father and grandfather.

  • Owen Nally

    Member | Nally Homes

    With a B.S in environmental Science, Owen understands the importance of teaching science and nutrition to students in a way they will engage with. Currently working in construction management, Owen’s experience will support the SNAC organization by applying the same systems he uses for construction projects to SNAC’s for future projects.