Team
Leadership
Nora
Executive Director
Nora Tjossem has worked at BK ROT since 2021, starting as the operations coordinator before stepping into a leadership role.
Dior
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Dior St. Hillaire chairs the Bronx Solid Waste Advisory Board (SWAB), is a worker-owner at GreenFeen OrganiX, and is an Urban Design Forum Forefront Fellow.
Compost Operations
Victor
Compost Operations Manager + Microhauler-Composter
Victor has been with BK ROT since 2014, longer than anyone else on staff!! To wind down from all of the work he does onsite he enjoys a good read from light novels to fanfics and the occasional painting.
Shaq
Compost Operations Assistant
Shaq has been with BK ROT since 2019, and has solidified himself as a BK ROT icon. When he’s not onsite bagging compost orders while rocking his iconic green hoodie Shaq enjoys some quality time painting, woodworking, and building.
Drop-Off Managers
Stacy
Drop-off Manager + Microhauler
Since 2021 Stacy has been helping us spread the BK ROT word at Aberdeen and Goodlife. When he's not being the social butterfly of BK ROT he's recharging his social battery at home with movies and music!
Angie
Drop-off Manager
Angie is a previous Youth Leader who has now been with BK ROT since 2021 as a drop-off manager at Aberdeen and Good Life! Outside of BK ROT, she likes to spend her time roller skating, painting, and eating overpriced food.
Devon
Drop-off Manager
Von is a long time staff member who has been with BK ROT since 2019 and he is a familiar face to everyone that goes to Know Waste Lands. Alongside his time at BK ROT he has pursued his passion for music in the studio and at parties!
Dallas
Drop-off Manager
With us since the summer of 2024, when she was a youth leader, Dallas has now become the drop-off manager at Imani! She is focused while on the clock but likes to fill her free time with dance, art, film, and video games!
Microhaulers & Composters
Nick
Microhauler-Composter
Nick has been with BK ROT since 2020 and he knows how to relax! Nick unwinds from a day of work by taking up some of his favorite hobbies such as photography, playing on his switch, and going for long rides (for leisure not work!)
Jess
Microhauler
Jess is a previous youth leader from our 2023 YLP cohort who still brings that mindset of growth to everything she does at BK ROT. Outside of her time as a micro hauler she likes to switch out her two wheeler for 4 small wheels and skate with her friends!
Bili
Microhauler
Bili, another member of our 2023 YLP cohort, is always busy balancing BK ROT and being a college student studying costume design for theatre (which takes up most of her time). Still, she makes sure to enjoy her free time riding her bike and going to different parks and beaches.
Lateisha
Microhauler
Joining BK ROT in 2024 Lateshia has brought her thoughtfulness and driven nature to everything she does. Outside of BK ROT Lateisha enjoys reading, DJing, and listening to podcasts, passions she is always excited to share with others!
Admin & Support
Shanni
Operations + Programs Manager
Shanni has been with BK ROT since 2022 and has quickly become the backbone of BK ROT. When she’s not busy making sure everything's in order she lets herself relax with a good book, a cuddle outside with her baby-dog Bella, and some (imperfect) seam-stressing!
Lesly
Operations Assistant + Microhauler-Composter
Since joining in 2020 Lesly has worn many hats at BK ROT, but she wears even more outside of work! She loves rescuing plants, hot yoga, long fall walks and is pursuing a degree in legal interpreting and translating.
Ashera
Grants + Outreach Coordinator
Ashera is a passionate soul who constantly advocates even outside of their work at BK ROT. As she studies Urban Ecology at CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies she keeps making and performing electroacoustic music.
Karina
Social Media Specialist
From the summer of 2022 when she was a youth leader Karina has always loved learning about the EJ world BK ROT is a part of. Outside of this world she likes to read novels, visit board game cafes with friends, and attempt to improve her baking skills.
Board of Directors
Priya
Board Chair
Priya Mulgaonkar has worked for a decade at the intersection of policy, planning, and organizing to advocate for environmental and climate justice solutions that center frontline communities.
Sylvia
Board Member
Sylvia is a lifelong New Yorker who has focused her work on community planning, the solidarity economy, and housing justice.
Dan
Board Member
Dan was introduced to BK ROT during its early years when he helped open the KWL site and move BK ROT over and expand its foot print.
Yvette
Board Member
Yvette has worked in food systems for more than decade, focusing on building a better food system for people, the climate, and the environment.
Jibreel
Board Member
Jibreel brings experience in composting, urban farming, street tree care, and dialogue education to this role.
Guy
Board Member
Guy is an environmental sociologist who studies the situated infrastructural imaginations that communities develop in response to sustainability challenges.
Vanessa
Board Member
Vanessa is an urban planner and design strategist with over 15 years experience creating programs and placekeeping initiatives that promote community building, local economic development and health efforts.
Brenda
Board Member
Brenda Salas Neves organizes to shift narratives and mobilize resources to support racial and climate justice movements around the world.