The Grow Kit Collective was born to

bridge the complexity

of the agriculture and

food systems

industry with

the right tools, guidance,

and community support.

The Grow Kit Collective is a nonprofit born out of the Georgia Grown Innovation Center (GGIC) in Metter, Georgia—and continues to grow alongside its mission. What began as a local effort to support ag-based entrepreneurs has evolved into a statewide initiative in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Agriculture. TGKC doesn’t replace existing programs—we work with them, filling in the gaps with clarity, connection, and custom-fit support. With practical tools, tailored guidance, and collaborative momentum, we help businesses and organizations not just grow—but thrive.

It exists to stand beside the builders, growers, and dreamers—quietly powering their success “behind the scenes.”

REAL TOOLS

REAL PEOPLE

REAL GROWTH

REAL TOOLS REAL PEOPLE REAL GROWTH

We don’t just offer information—we create clarity and traction. Through a blend of expert consulting, strong collaboration, and custom educational tools, TGKC empowers clients to move forward with confidence. We thrive behind the scenes, ensuring our clients have everything they need to take the lead

The Grow Kit Collective stands apart by offering practical, personalized growth kits built for real-world challenges.

Meet the Board

  • Founder, President + Director, The Grow Kit Collective
    Founder + Managing Member, plain.stated.LLC
    Visionary | Connector | Creative Strategist

    Diana Sutherland doesn’t just connect the dots — she connects the people, the stories, the purpose, and the path forward. With deep roots in Georgia agriculture and a career spanning produce, foodservice, retail, education, and food systems consulting, Diana built The Grow Kit Collective to meet a real need: pulling people, resources, and opportunities together so good ideas can grow. She’s the original architect of “let’s figure this out and make it happen.”

    Raised in the legacy of an agricultural powerhouse and seasoned in everything from retail rollouts to government consulting, Diana knows the power of showing up, standing on the shoulders of giants, and lifting others with you. She’s here to keep the work real, grounded, and wildly impactful.

    When she’s not mapping out a strategy, guiding a workshop, or touring a gourmet food show, Diana’s likely photographing real-life moments, lifting weights, laughing through Pilates, dancing it out with her friends, reading something inspiring (or completely mind-numbing), hitting the road for a spontaneous trip, or spending a day with her toes in the sand. She’s a proud mom, a puzzle solver, a box-checker, and a bright light for businesses finding their way forward.

    Diana is a Georgia State Panther (B.A. in Spanish), a Woodward Academy alum (War Eagle!), and an active board member of The Go Mission and The Plaza Midtown. She worships and plays in the heart of ATL — sharing beyond her own walls, supporting others, and loving where she lives.

  • Corporate Affairs Manager, Kroger – Atlanta Division
    Board Member, The Grow Kit Collective
    Strategist | People Developer | Certified Trainer | Community Connector

    Tammie Young-Ennaemba brings a dynamic mix of corporate insight, certified training expertise, and transformational leadership to The Grow Kit Collective. As Corporate Affairs Manager for Kroger’s Atlanta Division, Tammie has built a powerful reputation as a strategic thinker and purpose-driven leader—someone who not only launches high-priority initiatives, but ensures they are grounded in real impact.

    Over her 25+ year career with Kroger, she’s advanced through leadership roles in store operations, human resources, DEI strategy, and community outreach. Tammie’s work bridges the boardroom and the community, championing programs like Zero Hunger | Zero Waste and fostering partnerships with Atlanta’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

    A certified trainer and passionate mentor, Tammie thrives on recruiting, coaching, and developing associates and leaders across all levels. Her leadership style is rooted in integrity, positivity, and putting people first — echoing her favorite quote from James Baldwin: “I can’t believe what you say because I see what you do.”

    Tammie holds a B.S. in General Studies from Louisiana State University (where she earned multiple national championships as a member of the Women’s Track & Field Team), and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Shorter University.

    Outside of work, she’s a proud mom of three who finds joy in college football, quilting, traveling, and spending time with her family.

  • President, Sutherland’s Foodservice Inc.
    Board Member, The Grow Kit Collective
    Leader | Mentor | Advocate for Agriculture, Education, and Family Legacy

    Gene Sutherland, Jr. brings a deep legacy of leadership, grounded in agriculture, family, and community. As President of Sutherland’s Foodservice, Gene oversees more than 90 employees and steers the company with the same values that have shaped his journey since stepping into the business at just 20 years old. He understands every layer of the operation—and how each person, product, and process contributes to a bigger picture.

    In addition to his work leading one of Georgia’s most trusted family-owned foodservice companies, Gene is a long-standing board member of the Georgia FFA Foundation (since 2012), the Woodward Academy governing board (since 2018), and serves on the DOT Foods advisory board. His experience brings a unique blend of executive leadership, operational know-how, and a commitment to advancing Georgia’s agricultural future.

    What drew him to The Grow Kit Collective? For Gene, agriculture and family are inseparable—and at the heart of everything he does. Supporting a nonprofit that’s helping others grow in agriculture while serving alongside his sister, Diana, makes this work especially meaningful.

    Gene lives by the Four F’s: Faith, Family, Farm, and Football—and brings those same values with him into every part of his life and leadership. 

    Faith comes first—he serves as an elder and Sunday school teacher at his church, leading with the same grounded values that shape his work and life.  Family is next. They’re his “why” and bring him immense joy. Gene is a husband, father of three, and proud “Pops” to his granddaughter. Whether spending time with his wife, children, or the broader circle of relatives, he shows up as a brother, father-in-law, son-in-law, uncle, and all-around family man. The farm is where he spends every extra moment—it’s a lot of work, but it’s also where he finds peace and purpose.  And last but not least—football. There’s just nothing better than a Saturday in the fall watching the University of Georgia.