OUR TEAM
Get to know the wonderful team of dedicated Earth-warriors, animal-lovers, and kindness-crusaders behind Wholesome Culture.
AUDREY CASTONGUAY
Founder
AUDREY CASTONGUAY
Founder
I’ve always been an animal lover, and passionate about doing my part to help protect the planet. These two passions led me to launch Wholesome Culture.
In 2016, I started thinking about just how much my personal choices affect the world.
I realized that every decision we make on a daily basis has the power to either destroy or save the planet.
I decided I needed to do something to make a real difference.
I made the transition to a fully plant-based lifestyle, and immediately felt good knowing that my choices were making a positive difference for the planet.
I knew I had to share this experience with others.
So, in November 2016, I launched Wholesome Culture as a movement to make mindful and sustainable living accessible to thousands of people across the globe.
If just one person can make an impact, imagine what we can do together.
RACHYL NEIDECKER
CEO and COO
RACHYL NEIDECKER
CEO and COO
For me sustainability is a lifestyle choice. I love buying organic and local (I am also vegan), recycling, driving a hybrid vehicle, and supporting local artisans who share sustainable and ethical business practices.
I love the fact that my passion for sustainability has led me to help run Wholesome Culture (as we have a sustainable business practice and mission).
Do you have any pets?
I have two furbabies: both female cats that we rescued: Katniss & Khaleesi (yes, both named after fictional female champions of freedom and equality).
What are your favorite pastimes?
My two favorite sustainable hobbies are buying vintage/upcycled furniture and spending all my free time bidding on second hand designer clothes and jewelry directly from other women on my fav app, Poshmark!
I also enjoy dining out, chilling, and playing games or watching a movie/terrible reality TV with my hubby, family, and friends (and furbabies, of course).
Working out is another favorite pastime. We always go in a group, so it’s always my mom, dad, husband, and me. I especially enjoy lifting, yoga, and going on walks through the local desert!
I love plants but wish they loved me more! I am the only one in my family without a green thumb! I have one aloe vera plant I have had for three months (it’s thriving lol) and two orchids I have had for a few years now. I buy flowers to attract bees every year but living in Arizona makes it a challenge to keep plants alive in the summer.
KIRSTEN POHLE
Product Development & Merchandising Manager
Kirsten Pohle
Product Development & Merchandising Manager
I’m of the generation that heard frequently about the importance of the three Rs. Reduce, reuse, and recycle was grilled into me as a child. So I love buying vintage or supporting companies that reuse and recycle products.
My favorite vintage finds are clothing, mid-century furniture, and random nick nacks I find when antiquing! I’m also a freak about recycling —you can thank my childhood and the three years I lived in San Francisco for that. And I garden! All my summer veggies are slowly growing in.
Do you have any pets?
I have four pets, all of whom were adopted: Remus, a 2½-year-old Pitbull Lab mix; Daphne, a two-year-old Pitbull Corgi mix; Dolly, a four-year-old Orange Tabby cat; and Pepperann, a 7½-year-old Tuxedo cat.
What are your favorite pastimes?
Hiking, roller skating, and antiquing.
Who are your favorite people to spend time with?
My boyfriend, my family, and my best friends who live in North Ireland.
Ashley Butler
Customer Experience & HR Manager
Ashley Butler
Customer Experience & HR Manager
My daughter loves the environment and is a part of my inspiration to be more sustainable by recycling, buying organic products, and trying to compost.
We just started venturing into volunteering at animal shelters and will get back to it once the world opens up again. Another big aspect of taking care of the planet to me, is taking care of ourselves and others, so self-love and being kind are crucial parts of our routine.
Do you have any pets?
I will be the new owner of a Havanese puppy named Nakia very soon! I’ll keep you posted on my new journey as a dog mommy!
What are your favorite pastimes?
Watching Netflix, having dance parties with my daughter, and eating!
Who are your favourite people to spend time with?
My husband and daughter.
Danielle Hixenbaugh
E-Commerce Marketing Manager/PM
Danielle Hixenbaugh
E-Commerce Marketing Manager/PM
I've always felt immense pride whenever I was able to do something to give back to our planet — whether it's taking reusable grocery bags to the store (I call them my 'save the world' bags) or recycling home goods.
This year, I am working to take it a step further by planting a balcony garden! My seeds haven't germinated yet, but I'm looking forward to learning more about plants and tending to them!
Do you have any pets?
I don’t have any pets, but plant parenthood counts, right? I started a balcony garden in our small apartment for the first time ever. I took on the brave task of trying to germinate the seeds myself instead of buying starter plants. I know this will be a learning experience but I'm super excited to see what I can plant on my own even in a small space!
What are your favorite pastimes?
I love reading —but not in the traditional sense. I don't read books or novels, but rather, love reading articles about nutrition, finances, cooking/baking, etc. I find a lot of pleasure in learning new things —my friends call me a witch doctor because I seem to know a lot of random facts about a wide variety of topics.
Who are your favourite people to spend time with?
My husband and my friends. Through being isolated, I have been hugely blessed to have my partner in crime by my side each day. I've grown even more appreciative of being married to my best friend, learning more about him, and how we can support each other.
FLAVIA MAYER
Design Team Lead
FLAVIA MAYER
Design Team Lead
I love using my work and my skills to help brands and charities that want to make the world a better place. That's my biggest reason for working at Wholesome Culture!
Do you have any pets?
I don't have a pet but we started fostering dogs this year to help a local charity. So far we've welcomed Dyno, a grumpy Shih Tzu; Ozzy, an energetic chihuahua; and Sisi, a street dog that came all the way from Romania to find her forever home!
What is your favorite pastime?
A bit of a cliché, but drawing!
Who are your favourite people to spend time with?
My fiancé, friends, and family.
JOÃO TOME
Advertising Team Lead
JOÃO TOME
Adverstising Team Lead
I’m very passionate about reducing plastic pollution in the ocean and making sure it stays that way!
Do you have any pets?
Unfortunately, I don’t have a pet, as I don’t feel comfortable having an animal closed off in my apartment, but as soon as I get into a bigger house (with a garden) I’m getting a cute dog to keep me company!
What are your favorite pastimes?
Playing music, singing, and doing yoga.
Who are your favourite people to spend time with?
I love spending time with my friends, and with my nephews and niece!
KATIE LAYNE
Accounting & Logistics Coordinator
KATIE LAYNE
Accounting & Logistics Coordinator
I am most passionate about cleaning up our beaches and oceans. I live at the beach and see the effects of our waste firsthand.
Do you have any pets?
I have a 17-year-old Jack Russell Terrier called Abbey —she is the light of my life —and a cat called Maxx. He's more of my husband's cat, lol!
What is your favorite pastime?
My favorite pastime is spending time on the beach. It connects me with the earth and brings me back to center.
Who are your favourite people to spend time with?
My favorite person to spend time with is my hubby. We don't have to do anything at all to have fun. He makes me laugh, cry, and everything in between.
Katie Yevmenova
Ambassador Program Coordinator
Katie Yevmenova
Ambassador Program Coordinator
I am most passionate about intentional consumption to preserve and protect the planet.
The way our family lives this is by only buying things we need, reusing and upcycling items, composting our food scraps, recycling everything that can be recycled, and not using single-use plastics.
Do you have any pets?
We have 15-year-old cats with super unique names: Kuzya and Nafanya. They are a brother and sister that my husband and I adopted when they were kittens and have been with us ever since.
What are your favorite pastimes?
Exploring new places like cute towns with yummy vegan cafes and new hiking trails.
Who are your favourite people to spend time with?
My family (human and furry)!
AMY GILLEON
Graphic Designer
AMY GILLEON
Graphic Designer
I really enjoy finding new ways to be more low-waste in my day-to-day as well as work towards a slow-living lifestyle. I also am a huge advocate of thrifting!
Do you have any pets?
I have a little rescue pup named Felicia; she turns one in June!
What are your favorite pastimes?
I enjoy crafting, sewing, and trying all the DIY projects I can!
Who are your favourite people to spend time with?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
Timea Lipcikova
Graphic Designer
Timea Lipcikova
Graphic Designer
To give back to the planet, I have reduced meat consumption, from every day to once every two weeks. I now own my own tote bags and grocery bags, and I have tons of glass jars, which I use for my art projects, planting, storing food, etc.
Since I started working with Wholesome Culture I have learned so much more about living a sustainable life and I love learning more every day while designing the content!
Do you have any pets?
I don’t have any pets, but my partner and I are obsessed with plants! We live in a small apartment —and about 40 percent of it is covered with plants. (He takes the most care about them, I just like buying them) :D
What are your favorite pastimes?
I know it's a cliché but what I do for work is my hobby. I draw 24/7, whether it's for work or just for me. Once in the while I try to go running, play tennis, or go snowboarding, but I would probably be thinking about design and art during those activities too. ♥
MARIKA PRICE
Associate Content Editor
MARIKA PRICE
Associate Content Editor
Walking is my favorite sustainable activity! I find that no matter where I am — a quiet hiking trail or busy city street — I always notice something special about the planet that I would miss if I was in a car.
These small but magical moments keep me motivated to minimize my impact in other ways like composting, switching to non-toxic beauty products, and shopping locally.
Do you have any pets?
I don’t have any pets, but I’m a proud plant parent. I have a very sassy Calathea plant named Cece and a bunch of other sweet little succulent friends.
What are your favorite pastimes?
Reading—preferably with a yummy warm drink in reach.
Who are your favorite people to spend time with?
A room with my husband, sister, parents, and two best friends, Kayla and Shaida, is a room I want to be in... and maybe never leave!
Kris Sarmiento
Customer Experience Team Lead
Kris Sarmiento
Customer Experience Team Lead
My favorite thing to do for the planet is waste segregation and collecting materials that can be recycled. This will reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and it also helps to reduce the pollution caused by waste.
What is your favorite pastime?
I enjoy helping my kids with their assignments and school projects. I also enjoy playing mobile games and watching movies or series with them during vacation.
Who are your favourite people to spend time with?
I spend most of my time with my family.
AJ Sarmiento
Production Assistant
AJ Sarmiento
Production Assistant
The biggest way I’m living sustainably is through buying less and choosing well what to buy.
What is your favorite pastime?
Reading and riding my bike.
Who are your favourite people to spend time with?
My family
Karin Huynh
Ads Specialist
Karin Huynh
Ads Specialist
I love fashion, so it's always exciting to find designers and brands that use organic or eco-friendly materials in their clothing designs and production (like Wholesome Culture)!
DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS?
I have a goldfish named Goku and a dog named Charlie.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PASTIMES?
I love listening to podcasts along with taking walks at the park.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE PEOPLE TO SPEND TIME WITH?
My family always ❤
Shay Brown
Customer Experience Assistant
Shay Brown
Customer Experience Assistant
My motto is: Less Is More! I try to recycle as much as I can and I drink water everyday from the same recyclable water bottle.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS?
I have a 5 year old cat named, Itty Bitty Kitty. She is a Tortie with Tortitude!
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PASTIMES?
I love swimming! I try to swim at least 2 hours a day! Water heals me!
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE PEOPLE TO SPEND TIME WITH?
I am blessed to be surrounded by lots of wonderful friends and family! I am grateful to spend quality time with my Mother. She is my bestest friend!