Strategic Advisors

The strategic advisory committee helps shape and guide the work of the Rural Assembly. Strategic advisors provide the Rural Assembly with trusted, expert advice as we vet opportunities, problem-solve, evaluate our work, and plan for the future. Learn more about our strategic advisors below.

Nikiko Masumoto

Organic farmer, memory keeper, and artist

Learn more about Nikiko

Nikiko Masumoto (she/her) is an organic farmer, memory keeper, and artist. She is Yonsei, a fourth generation Japanese American, and gets to touch the same soil her great-grandparents worked in California where Masumoto Family Farm grows organic nectarines, apricots, peaches and grapes for raisins. With her family, she’s co-authored 2 books: Changing Season and The Perfect Peach and has a forthcoming children’s book in 2025. Nikiko is also an arts leader and works in designing, facilitating, and storytelling. She is also co-founder of Yonsei Memory Project, an arts-based movement to activate Japanese American history in the Central Valley. Nikiko is also a part-time staff member of the Center for Performance and Civic Practice, a national network of arts leaders working across disciplines in civic and community settings. Her most cherished value is courage and most important practice is listening.

Carmina Taylor

Community activist and uniter in Pennsylvania

Learn more about Carmina

Carmina Taylor was one of sixteen Americans honored at the White House as National Uniters in September 2022 for her work against hate across rural Pennsylvania. She ventured in very conservative communities seeking civil discourse as a means to demonstrate that difficult conversations can be achieved when respect is the center point. She attributes her meaningful approach because of her lived experiences as a Citizen University Civic Saturday Fellow. Inspiring her fellow Americans to willingly act out their citizenship for the greater good of their community is her PASSION! Last October she was inducted into her high school hall of fame because of her steadfast service to her school community and county. She is very proud that she and her mother are now the first Black mother and daughter inducted in the Wissahickon Hall of Fame. Serving as an Advisor for Rural Strategies will be an embellishment of her commitment to underserved communities in America!

Dr. Marcos Silva

Executive Director for RGV LEAD

Learn more about Marcos

Dr. Marcos Silva serves as the Executive Director for RGV LEAD, a nonprofit organization in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). RGV LEAD focuses on economic prosperity through educational programming tailored for students, teachers, and school leaders. These programs directly target workforce needs and youth skill development.

Dr. Silva holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master’s in Educational Administration from the University of Texas – Pan American. In addition, he earned a Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Silva’s passion for empowering youth and fostering dialogue led him to co-found the South Texas Ideas Festival (STXi), a groundbreaking initiative supported by TED-Ed and the Bezos Scholar Program. Since its inception, STXi has partnered with numerous local and national foundations, academic institutions, and community leaders to provide conferences that develop youth’s leadership skills, voice, and agency. Dr. Silva’s commitment to further amplify the stories and ideas of the RGV on a global platform led him to curate TEDxMcAllen (2019) and TEDxMcAllen Youth (2023).

Mary Sketch

Director of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition

Learn more about Mary

Mary Sketch is currently the Director of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and is based in Richmond, Virginia. She has experience working with collaboratives and coalitions across the country at the intersection of economic and environmental wellbeing with a focus on working lands and rural communities. Prior to working with the Virginia Soil Health Coalition, she worked at the Center for Rural Strategies where she helped coordinate the Rural Assembly, a coalition of rural stakeholders across the US. She received her Master’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Conservation from Virginia Tech and her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Brown University. When not working to lift up and take care of our communities and landscapes, she can usually be found trail running unusually long distances and enjoying time with her husband Jordan, daughter Wren, and furry kids Otter and Badger.

Sarah Green

Kansas-based consultant

Learn more about Sarah

Sarah Green loves Kansas. She has worked in and across many sectors and industries in Kansas, including agriculture, journalism, state government, philanthropy, transportation, public health and more. She is encouraged by the power of communities and the ways in which Kansans come together to brainstorm creative solutions to challenges.

Teresa Kittridge

Founder, 100 Rural Women

Learn more about Teresa

With over two decades of dedicated service in the Minnesota House of Representatives, followed by a transformative journey through graduate studies in organizational leadership, Teresa has honed her expertise in principled leadership and ethical governance. Venturing beyond government, she has led organizations across various sectors, from local to international levels. Teresa’s commitment to public service led her to the Waconia School Board, where she spearheaded initiatives such as all-day kindergarten and financial stabilization. With a background spanning legislative affairs, children’s book publishing, renewable energy, and rural policy, Teresa now focuses on empowering rural women through community involvement and leadership development at 100 Rural Women.