The Board

Founder/ Chairman Yousef BinAgeil is a visionary builder, strategist, and systems innovator guiding The Soil Institute’s

Founder/ Chairman- Yousef A. BinAgeil

Founder & Chairman, The Soil Institute™

Yousef A. BinAgeil is a visionary builder, strategist, and systems innovator guiding The Soil Institute’s 5-Year Mission to heal five core human needs. With roots in tech, regenerative design, and global justice, his work spans continents — from advising Indonesian leadership at 21 to launching farmer-powered grocery systems in U.S. food deserts.

Click below to read more about his journey and mission.

Read Full Founder Bio

Vice Chair— Open

Serving Our Inner Light

Secretary- Marilyn Jeffers

Serving Our Inner Light

Treasurer - Tasha Peterson

Tasha Peterson is a seasoned accounting professional with over 12 years of experience in financial management, general ledger accounting, and revenue analysis. Throughout her career, she has played a key role in managing assets, streamlining costs, budgeting, strengthening vendor relationships, and ensuring tax compliance across multiple states. Tasha’s strategic insights have supported businesses in making informed, sustainable financial decisions.

Outside of her work at The Soil Institute, Tasha is also a licensed real estate agent, bringing the same level of integrity and precision to helping clients navigate the housing market

Benino Chapa- Chair of Innovation & Tech

Benino Chapa serves as the Founding Chair of Innovation and Technology at The Soil Institute, where he channels his expertise as an electrical engineer to build systems that bridge the gap between advanced technology and real-world community needs. A proud graduate of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Benino brings a strong foundation in AI, programming, and infrastructure development to the forefront of grassroots innovation.

His career includes designing substations in Tulsa to expand equitable energy access—work rooted in his belief that self-reliance is the key to sustainable, collective progress. From engineering to construction, Benino’s leadership ensures that every solution is both scalable and grounded in local impact.

Driven by the principle, “Elevate yourself to elevate others,” Benino is redefining what it means to innovate with purpose, ensuring technology serves humanity—not the other way around.

Khadijah bin Ageil serves as Vice Chair of Innovations at the soil institute

Vice Chair- of Innovation & Tech-Khadijah BinAgeil

Khadijah bin Ageil serves as Vice Chair of Innovations, bringing a multidisciplinary approach to every project she undertakes. A graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and an environmental focus, she holds both Soil and Aggregate certifications from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. In her current role as Station Engineer, Khadijah leads the design of electrical substations, oversees structural engineering plans, and provides field support to ensure rigorous compliance with safety and quality standards.

With a solid background in emerging technologies—including blockchain and artificial intelligence—she continually seeks out ways to integrate cutting-edge solutions into traditional infrastructure challenges. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Khadijah is passionate about using her expertise to educate and empower others, fostering sustainable innovation and uplifting the communities she serves.

Elisa Chapa- Chair of Marketing, Fundraising & Communications

Elisa Chapa serves as Chair of Marketing, Fundraising, and Communications for the Board of The Soil Institute, where she leads with heart, strategy, and vision. With a professional background spanning education, cultural studies, and marketing, Elisa brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to everything she touches.

Her leadership is rooted in a deep commitment to equity, storytelling, and community empowerment. A graduate of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Whether she’s designing campaigns that move people to action or building partnerships that expand our reach, Elisa ensures that every message reflects the mission and every dollar raised fuels lasting, measurable impact. She believes that effective communication isn’t just about visibility — it’s about connection, trust, and transformation.

Reece B. Morrel, Jr- Legal Advisor

Reece B. Morrel, Jr. serves as the attorney & Legal Advisor for The Soil Institute, bringing over 30 years of experience at the intersection of law, finance, and strategic planning. As a licensed attorney, CPA, CGMA, and Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®), he offers a rare combination of legal and financial expertise essential for building long-term, sustainable systems.

A graduate of Oklahoma State University (Accounting), with both a J.D. and MBA from the University of Tulsa, Reece has built a distinguished career advising clients in taxation, estate planning, elder law, and business law. His early professional path included consulting at Arthur Young & Co. and serving as a financial analyst for OTASCO, Inc., where he developed deep experience in financial analysis and corporate strategy.

Reece is the founder of Morrel Law PLLC and has represented high-impact clients on multimillion-dollar engagements. His ethical leadership and technical excellence have earned him national recognition and lasting client trust.

His commitment to community service is evident through decades of pro bono legal support to churches and civic organizations. Reece has been honored with the Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum award and was named one of the Top 3 Tax Attorneys in Tulsa by Three Best Rated.

At The Soil Institute, Reece plays a pivotal role in ensuring that our mission is backed by sound legal frameworks and transparent governance — helping translate bold vision into enduring impact.

Chico Peterson - Chair Of Logistics

With over 20 years of logistics expertise rooted in military precision, Mr. Chico serves as the Logistics Chairman of The Soil Institute, where he leads the strategic planning and execution of supply chain and operational systems across all initiatives. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for solving complex logistical challenges, streamlining operations, and helping teams work smarter and more efficiently under pressure.

At The Soil Institute, Mr. Chico brings his deep commitment to practical, real-world solutions — ensuring that every project runs smoothly from the ground up. His disciplined and solutions-driven leadership ensures that every project operates with precision, efficiency, and long-term impact — making our systems not only sustainable but scalable across communities worldwide.

Carl W. Peterson Jr.- Chair of Programs

Mr. Carl is a passionate advocate for community empowerment with a proven track record across multiple sectors. His background spans business management, STEM education, media, music, the arts, and entrepreneurship — making him uniquely equipped to lead programs that are both culturally resonant and structurally sound.

As Chair of Programs at The Soil Institute, Mr. Carl brings a dynamic, interdisciplinary approach to initiative development. He believes that real transformation happens when innovation meets accessibility, and he works to ensure every program empowers communities with knowledge, creativity, and opportunity. Whether designing youth education robotic models or mentoring local entrepreneurs, he leads with vision, integrity, and an unshakable belief in the power of people.

Executive & Governance Committee -

The Chair of the Executive & Governance Committee plays a vital leadership role in ensuring the overall effectiveness and accountability of The Soil Institute's board and organizational governance. This position is responsible for overseeing the functionality and structure of the board, ensuring alignment with the organization's bylaws, mission, and strategic goals. As a key liaison between board members and leadership, the Chair ensures open communication, manages internal governance systems, and evaluates the performance and participation of board and committee members.

In this role, the Chair will lead efforts in board recruitment, training, orientation, and succession planning. They will also oversee the evaluation of the Executive Director and ensure ethical compliance, transparency, and proper documentation of all board activities. Familiarity with nonprofit governance, Robert’s Rules of Order, and board management is essential.

The Chair must be highly organized, diplomatic, and visionary, with a commitment to equity, justice, and innovation. This position requires regular attendance at board meetings, active collaboration with committee chairs, and a strong understanding of nonprofit operations, policies, and long-term planning. The role is ideal for individuals with experience in leadership, law, ethics, organizational development, or nonprofit governance.

Jordan McCurtis- Chair Of Quality Control

Jordan brings a detail-oriented mindset and a mission-driven heart to The Soil Institute as our Quality Control Specialist. With a professional foundation in mortgage operations and a growing specialization in cybersecurity, he plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity, security, and accountability of our systems.

Rooted in a passion for empowering underserved communities, Jordan is dedicated to expanding access to education, financial literacy, and digital equity. He believes in designing systems that don’t just provide temporary solutions, but create pathways to lasting opportunity and generational stability.

Guided by strong values and a clear sense of purpose, Jordan uses his voice, skillset, and strategic thinking to help build a future where integrity and innovation go hand in hand—for communities that deserve nothing less.

Chair of Events & Outreach Committee-

The Chair of the Events & Outreach Committee is responsible for leading the design and execution of all internal & external engagement activities. This includes fundraisers, awareness campaigns, educational workshops, community gatherings, and large-scale movement-building events aligned with the mission of The Soil Institute. The Chair ensures these events are inclusive, inspiring, and impactful—fostering connection between communities, partners, and supporters.

Duties include planning annual and quarterly event calendars, collaborating with other committees (such as media, marketing or finance), organizing volunteer efforts, securing sponsorships or partners, and managing event logistics. The Chair also leads strategy for social outreach—building bridges with local schools, nonprofits, and organizations to enhance visibility and participation.

Strong communication, project management, and event planning skills are required. Experience with community organizing or public relations is a plus. The Chair must be able to lead diverse teams, work under pressure, and uphold the Institute’s values of sustainability, unity, and justice through public engagement.

Chair of Community Fund- Yousef BinAgeil & Tasha Peterson.

The Chair of the Community Fund is tasked with overseeing a crucial financial initiative that redistributes revenue and donations back into the community through transparent, impactful grantmaking and micro-investments. This Chair ensures the fund remains equitable, accessible, and aligned with the values of The Soil Institute.

Responsibilities include designing community-focused funding cycles, managing the disbursement process, leading selection committees, creating evaluation criteria, and reporting on fund impact. The Chair will also help design membership-based or donor-funded systems that allow for participatory budgeting—putting decision-making power into the hands of the people.

This position requires experience in community development, finance, or philanthropy. Ideal candidates are passionate about financial equity, grassroots empowerment, and trust-based grantmaking. The Chair will work closely with the Finance & Audit Committee and the Monitoring & Impact Evaluation Committee to ensure transparency and measurable impact.

Chair of Earth Guardians Committee- John Wesley Boyd Jr.

The Chair of the Earth Guardians Committee or the Land & Food Sovereignty committee represents the voice and needs of the farmers involved in The Soil Institute’s work. This Chair serves as the main bridge between the farming community and the broader mission of the organization, ensuring farmers are seen, supported, and integrated into every system being built.

Key responsibilities include conducting regular listening sessions with local and regional farmers, advocating for regenerative agriculture practices, coordinating farmer trainings and mentorship programs, and helping develop policies that support fair pricing, land access, and cooperative ownership models. The Chair will also liaise with other committees to ensure farmers have input on product distribution, store systems, and sustainability goals.

An ideal candidate is either a farmer themselves or deeply embedded in food systems work. They should have strong interpersonal skills, knowledge of food justice, and a commitment to building power within marginalized farming communities. The Chair should be passionate about restoring land stewardship, uplifting Indigenous practices, and empowering small-scale farmers.

Monitoring & Impact Evaluation Committee -

The Chair of this committee leads the critical work of tracking the impact of The Soil Institute’s initiatives. This includes setting success indicators, building data collection systems, and ensuring continuous improvement across all programs. The Chair ensures that transparency, accountability, and evidence-based evaluation are at the heart of the Institute’s operations.

Responsibilities include overseeing the design and implementation of monitoring frameworks, analyzing data and trends, compiling reports for donors and the board, and advising other chairs on how to improve program outcomes. This role is also responsible for managing relationships with external researchers or institutions when necessary.

Experience in data analysis, program evaluation, or nonprofit management is preferred. The ideal Chair is detail-oriented, analytical, and committed to using data not just to measure—but to transform—impact. They help ensure that every initiative is measurable, effective, and true to the Institute’s mission.

Chair of Finance & Audit Committee- Tasha Peterson

The Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the financial integrity and sustainability of The Soil Institute. This includes managing the organization’s budget, reviewing financial statements, ensuring regulatory compliance, and guiding investment or reserve strategies.

The Chair plays a key role in audit preparation and serves as the main financial advisor to the Executive & Governance Committee. They work closely with the Community Fund Chair to manage disbursements and ensure ethical allocation of resources. The Chair also ensures timely reporting, transparency to donors, and appropriate use of funds across departments.

Ideal candidates will have experience in accounting, nonprofit finance, auditing, or fiscal strategy. They must have a commitment to financial justice, stewardship, and sustainability. The Chair is expected to review and refine financial policies, recommend risk management strategies, and help secure the long-term financial health of the organization.

Chair of Tribal & Indigenous Relations Committee -

The Chair of the Tribal & Indigenous Relations Committee holds one of the most spiritually and culturally significant positions within The Soil Institute. This Chair is responsible for cultivating relationships with tribal nations and Indigenous communities both locally and globally, ensuring their voices and wisdom are foundational to every initiative.

Duties include honoring protocols of tribal engagement, facilitating partnerships rooted in mutual respect, and co-creating initiatives that reflect traditional knowledge systems. The Chair must also protect intellectual property, promote cultural sovereignty, and advise the board on matters of land, identity, and representation.

An ideal candidate is Indigenous or deeply experienced in tribal affairs, diplomacy, and advocacy. This position requires cultural humility, strong communication skills, and a deep reverence for ancestral wisdom. The Chair ensures that the Institute not only honors but actively centers Indigenous perspectives in its mission and future.

Chair of Media & Film Production Committee – Eric Sanders

The Chair of the Media & Film Production Committee leads The Soil Institute’s creative storytelling through visual media, film, and multimedia content. This position is responsible for translating the mission, impact, and community stories of the Institute into powerful narratives that resonate with both grassroots and global audiences.

This Chair will oversee the planning and execution of short films, promotional videos, docuseries segments, press features, social media reels, and educational content that brings the Institute’s work to life. They collaborate with farmers, community members, and partners to capture real stories on the ground, and work closely with editors, camera crews, and post-production teams to ensure alignment with the brand’s message.

In addition, the Chair is responsible for developing content for national news features, coordinating with journalists, managing visual archives, and maintaining a cohesive video strategy across platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, and TikTok.

Ideal candidates should have experience in film, media production, or journalism, along with a deep passion for ethical storytelling and community empowerment. This Chair ensures that every story told reflects the dignity, resilience, and vision of those The Soil Institute serves — planting powerful seeds in the global narrative of justice.