Linda Appel Lipsius

About Linda Appel Lipsius

I am currently the Founder and Executive Director of The Urban Garden Project.Most recently, I was the Executive Director of Denver Urban Gardens (DUG). DUG is a 40-year-old Denver institution and one of the largest independent food-producing community garden organizations in the country. DUG\'s mission is to provide the skills, access, and resources to grow healthy food in community and regenerate urban green spaces. The Urban Garden Project launched at DUG to amplify the role that community gardens and food forests play as critical infrastructure for thriving cities.In 2006, I co-founded Teatulia Organic Teas, a Benefit Corporation. Teatulia produces innovative, award-winning garden-direct hot, iced & canned teas that are sold throughout the US in grocery, mass, foodservice, online and as an ingredient. Teatulia is known for its quality, ethical sourcing, vertically-integrated supply chain, sustainable packaging and using business as a force for good. In 2024, we opened a Teatulia Tea Bar at Denver International Airport. In 2012, I started the mama \'hood, a Denver-based shop & studio for new & expecting moms & their families.Previously, I was VP, International with Orange Glo International (OGI)- makers of OxiClean, Kaboom, Orange Glo and Orange Clean - where I launched these category-leading brands into the UK, Germany and France, and shepherded all global markets to OGI’s 2006 liquidity event, selling the business to Church and Dwight.I am a public speaker on topics ranging from entrepreneurship and storytelling to sustainable business practices, regenerative agriculture, and permaculture. A Denver Native, I earned my BA in Political Science from Columbia University in New York City and MBA in Finance and Organizational Management from New York University before moving to Washington, DC, London, Los Angeles, then back to Denver. I currently serve on the Board of Directors of Colorado Public Radio, the Giving Grove, Plentiful, and Longer Tables. In my spare time, I spend time with my family, escape to the mountains, devour movies & books, and run, cycle, and practice yoga.

Experience

1. Founder Executive Director

   The Urban Garden Project

   Jan 2026 — Present · Everywhere, US

   The mission of The Urban Garden Project (The UGP) is to unite, uplift, and amplify the community garden movement.One solution. Many outcomes. Community gardens are a vital part of the urban community agriculture movement, delivering food security, enhancing public health, promoting climate resilience, and fostering social cohesion—all at a fraction of the cost of single-issue interventions.The Scale OpportunityThe U.S. already has a thriving but fragmented network of community gardens that play a crucial role in the community garden movement. These gardens are time-tested, proven, and essential for enhancing food security. With shared infrastructure and sustained investment, this movement could grow tenfold—dramatically increasing climate resilience in cities nationwide.ElementsEducate - Equip - Connet - Consult - Measure

Education

• Columbia University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Political Science

• NYU Stern School of Business

  MBA, Finance, Organizational Management

  1999 — 2001

• Columbia University

  BA, Political Science

  1989 — 1993

• Denver Permaculture Guild

  PDC Certificate

  2018 — 2019