Meet Aris, former QS Program Director. Aris grew up in Santa Barbara County on the traditional homelands of the Chumash people where she spent the majority of her career in the wellness space. A Mexico City native, immigrant, and DREAMER her upbringing continues to be a source of inspiration and passion for healing justice that centers marginalized and immigrant communities in Southern California.

Becoming deeply aware of the mind-body connection, intergenerational trauma and, moreover, the holistic imbalances created by the disconnection from land, Aris decided to leave her 8-year tenure in wellness to pursue a Biodynamic Agriculture apprenticeship in Mendocino County. Working mostly outside and caregiving to land, people, and animals gave Aris a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of human health and the environment.

In 2018, Aris graduated from the Blue Otter School of Herbal Medicine in Fort Jones, CA, where she gained skills as a Clinical Energetic Herbalist. Aris’ private herbalism practice is rooted in an anti-oppression framework and a source of great joy and understanding.