Meet the Team

Sharone McRae

Lead Educator & Program Assistant

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Sharone has been working with students for the past 10 years. After receiving certificates in Child Growth & Development, and Grade School Age Curriculum & Communication Skills from Howard Community College she worked as a teacher’s aide at Successful Children Learning Center. Before joining SAFE, she also worked as a substitute teacher at Children First of Baltimore. Leading by example, Sharone is currently earning her Associates in Advance Culinary Arts from Stratford University.

Spencer Ellsworth

Greenhouse Site Manager

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Spencer has been farming since graduating from University of Virginia in 2007 in both urban and rural places. Before joining SAFE, he owned a farm in Upper Marlboro, managed an adult and youth training farm in Rockford, IL, worked as a "hand" on a 2,000-member subscription produce farm, and helped found Common Good City Farm in DC. He loves the humble wonder of growing things, and the hard work of making it happen!

Laura Brusca

Grants Manager

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A recognized financial professional with 18 years of experience in banking and corporate finance with Bank of America, Sun Trust and Constellation Energy. For the last 14 years Laura has focused on grant funding and non-profit fundraising with the Maryland Council on Economic Education and Safe Alternative Foundation for Education. She graduated in 1987 from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Business Management and in 1993 from Loyola University Maryland with an M.B.A. Laura and her husband raised their family in Baltimore.