Laken Sylvander is a St. Louis native raised in University City, who moved to Singapore as an adolescent, but returned to the city in 2013. She studied French and Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies for her B.A. at Washington University in Saint Louis, followed by pursuing an M.A. at the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam in Critical Studies in Arts & Culture. Her love of the world of arts & culture led her to an exciting career in fundraising and donor relations in opera, ballet, and arts therapy, all of which paved the way for her to EarthDance. She joined EarthDance as a Development Associate in the summer of 2021. Upon returning to Saint Louis again in 2021, spending time in her grandmother’s garden was crucial to rekindling her relationship with home. She is delighted to be part of the EarthDance community, and has a lifetime of wisdom to learn from the plants and people here alike.