Our Board Members
Sarah Alperin, Founder, President
Sarah Alperin is a certified somatic therapist, ICF PCC coach, emotional intelligence practitioner, educator, and doctoral researcher passionate about creating emotionally safe and relational spaces where people can better understand themselves, connect more deeply, and thrive.
Her work focuses on emotional intelligence, nervous system regulation, self-awareness, somatic practice, and transformative learning. Sarah is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Social Emotional Learning, where her research explores the question: “How do adult and youth participants describe their experience of self-awareness through somatic nervous system regulation practice?”
From 2016–2020, Sarah owned and directed The Little Village Child Care, a play-based preschool centered around emotionally responsive and developmentally supportive learning environments. Following the pandemic, she founded The Little Village Gardens nonprofit organization, which has evolved into a community-centered educational and research initiative focused on emotional wellbeing, emotional intelligence, and nervous system-informed learning environments for children and adults.
Sarah recently published a research study exploring emotional regulation, self-awareness, and personal growth through somatic nervous system regulation practices. Her work continues to bridge research, education, emotional wellbeing, and community care in ways that are both deeply human and practically applicable.
At the heart of all of her work is a simple belief: when people feel emotionally safe, connected, and supported, transformation becomes possible.
Wayne Robbins, Treasurer
Wayne Robbins is the financial backbone of our nonprofit, bringing years of expertise in finance, strategy, and operations to help us grow and sustain our mission of planting native gardens in K-12 schools. As the VP of Finance, Strategy, and Operations at Shelf, he leads global financial strategy and operations for a cutting-edge AI platform, securing funding and driving efficiency—skills that are invaluable in ensuring our nonprofit’s long-term success.
Wayne’s connection to our organization is deeply personal. His two children attended founder Sarah Alperin’s preschool from 2017 to 2020, forging not only a deep friendship between their families but also a shared passion for education, community, and sustainability. Now, as our Treasurer, Wayne applies his financial acumen to help us secure funding, manage resources effectively, and ensure that every dollar goes toward expanding our impact.
With an impressive career that includes leadership roles at HITRECORD, The Walt Disney Company, and Shelf, Wayne has raised millions in funding, negotiated major partnerships, and built financial structures that fuel growth. His strategic thinking and business expertise help us scale our initiatives, allowing more schools to benefit from native gardens that support biodiversity and environmental education.
Beyond his financial expertise, Wayne is an avid gardener himself, deeply committed to restoring native ecosystems. His personal love for nature, combined with his dedication to making a difference, makes him an invaluable part of our team.
Stephanie Terifay, Board Member
Stephanie Terifay is a passionate advocate for sustainability, a connector of people and ideas, and a mom on a mission to make a difference. As the VP of Distribution for AMC Theatres, she brings a wealth of experience in corporate strategy, partnerships, and audience engagement—skills she now channels into expanding our nonprofit’s impact.
Stephanie’s journey with our organization is deeply personal—her 8-year-old daughter attended founder Sarah Alperin’s preschool from 2017 to 2020, where the two became fast friends over their shared love of education, community, and environmental stewardship. That friendship grew into a partnership, and now, as a director for the nonprofit, Stephanie is using her expertise to help bring the vision to life on a bigger scale.
With a BS from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of Chicago, Stephanie has spent her career leading corporate alliances at organizations like Fandango, Make-A-Wish America, and Sundance Institute. Her ability to forge high-impact collaborations and secure key resources has been instrumental in helping our nonprofit grow—allowing us to plant more native gardens, educate more students, and advocate for sustainable landscaping in schools.
Beyond her professional expertise, Stephanie is a mom who understands firsthand the importance of creating meaningful experiences for kids. She’s passionate about making sure the next generation has the opportunity to learn about and care for the natural world—one school garden at a time.