Our Team

Sandy Loam’s guides and instructors bring diverse lived experiences and professional backgrounds to create inclusive, care-centered environments where people can build meaningful relationships with land, self and community.

Our team draws from a range of disciplines, including Montessori education, relational ecological stewardship and public health to design experiences that are accessible, responsive and grounded in care. Each team member contributes their unique perspective while working collectively to support participants of all ages and abilities.

Aishwarya Kancharla

Director & Veronda-Falletti Ranch Property Manager

Aishwarya is an experienced program design and implementation specialist in the fields of health, healthcare, human rights, education, and environmental stewardship. Key experiences include serving as: Program and Volunteer Coordinator for the Red Door Society, a cancer support organization in New York; working as a graduate intern with the UCSF Safe Motherhood Program in Zambia and India; Senior Communications Advisor for USAID’s Rule of Law Stabilization Program in Kabul, where she supported prospective USAID grantees and outreach efforts promoting human rights and the rule of law; and Senior Project Manager at CannonDesign, advising health systems on strategy and program delivery. She subsequently launched two sister Montessori schools, gaining substantial experience in direct services and family wellbeing programs. Aishwarya came to realize that all of these focus areas were interconnected parts of the same systems of wellbeing, inspiring her to build Sandy Loam where she could connect community with arguably the most important thread holding us together: land. Aishwarya holds an A.S. in Natural Resources Management from Santa Rosa Junior College, a B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communications from New York University, and a J.D. from UC Law SF (formerly UC Hastings College of the Law). She is pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Environmental Planning & Management at the University of Connecticut.

Ariana Schwalbenberg

Youth & Family Program Manager

Ariana managed the afterschool enrichment program at Old Adobe Elementary School for many years. She adored watching students grow their confidence as they progressed through school and was inspired to pursue a degree in School Counseling as it blends her love of working with children and building community partnerships. Ariana has a B.A. in Psychology and is expecting an M.A. in School Counseling in June 2026 from Sonoma State University. She looks forward to bringing her expertise and experience to Sandy Loam upon her graduation. In her free time, Ariana likes to work in her garden, cook meals for her family and friends, thrift shop, spend time with her beloved cat Sam, and care for her fish & frog aquarium.

Francisca Lizotte

Enrichment Specialist

Francisca is an avid yoga and Reiki practitioner, California Naturalist, hiking guide, and herbalist who brings together outdoor education, mindful movement, and healing practices. Her community-focused practice includes partnerships with local nonprofits, yoga hikes, and specialized programs in schools, summer camps, private settings, and corporate environments. She holds a Philosophy degree from Cal Poly, SLO, and trained in Hatha yoga, with over 5,000 hours teaching diverse yoga styles including Restorative, Chair, Gentle, Prenatal, Vinyasa, and Kids/Family yoga.

Happy Sattva

Program Manager

Happy Sattva brings a broad range of experience in agriculture, research, and community education, working with people of all ages, from young children to older adults, to Sandy Loam. She combines hands-on regenerative farming, program development, and scientific research to create sustainable, engaging spaces that connect communities with the natural world. At University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Center for Applied Environmental Research (CAER), she worked on initiatives transforming urban food systems through agricultural entrepreneurship. She was a founding board member of the Manheim Garden Conservancy contributing to community greening and urban farming.

Dr. Lisa Hirsch

Enrichment Specialist

Dr. Lisa Hirsch is a mental health specialist who has been in private and nonprofit services for children and adolescents for over 25 years. Dr. Lisa utilizes a variety of healing modalities including expressive arts and experiential learning practices. She holds the belief that many of life’s challenges including mental health can become strengths and lead to purpose and direction. Dr. Lisa holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology with a Forensic Focus.

Bryce Nahas

Farm and Livestock Manager, Agri-CULTURE

In addition to Sandy Loam, Veronda-Falletti Ranch is also home to Agri-CULTURE, which manages the Market Garden and grazing areas of the Ranch. Bryce Nahas, Agri-CULTURE's founder, is a consultant and builder for small-scale farmers and homesteaders. He has extensive experience managing projects, and designing, building, and installing custom products and systems to meet the demanding needs of agricultural production and home gardeners alike. With a background in construction project management, environmental education, instructional systems design, small-scale crop production, and a passion for integrating ecological components into efficient agricultural systems, Bryce loves the idea of creating responsible agricultural solutions that benefit the land and people of his native Northern California.