Kristen Sebastian
Kristen Sebastian wanted to bring healthy, locally grown food to underserved communities, and she wasn’t going to let her lack of experience in farming or non-profit management stop her.
Sebastian launched Giving Tree Acres Community Farm in 2024, and, together with her family, friends, and community, has built a fully functioning farm operation. In its first six months, Giving Tree Acres donated 2,700 pounds of farm-fresh food to Brother Bill’s Helping Hand grocery store. The farm plans to more than triple those donations this year.
“I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, and, honestly, I’m still figuring it out as I go,” Sebastian said. “I gave myself a lot of grace, focused on taking one step at a time, and kept moving forward … It wasn’t always smooth, but this experience taught me that you don’t need to have it all figured out — just the willingness to start and the perseverance to keep going.”
At its farm in Hico, Giving Tree Acres practices regenerative agriculture, an approach that enhances animal health, improves food quality, and restores the land for future generations.
“Our vision is to transform food pantries, community farmstands, and schools in low-income neighborhoods into healthy food havens by increasing access to fresh, wholesome foods,” Sebastian said. “We believe that natural, nourishing foods should be accessible to everyone.”
Her work as executive director of Giving Tree Acres Community Farm isn’t Sebastian’s only job. She’s also director of organizational effectiveness and change leadership at McKesson.
“I check in with myself monthly to see if I feel like I am being challenged and growing in my current role and if I feel like I am leading a purpose-filled life,” Sebastian said. “If I check those boxes, I’m happy wherever that takes me.”
What (or who) motivated you to get involved in the community?
I was lucky enough to grow up with incredibly generous grandparents who were amazing models in how they served their community. My grandfather always paraphrased Luke 12:48: “To whom much was given, much will be expected.” I have always taken that to heart and tried my best to leverage my gifts to improve the lives of others.
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
I was a referee for kids’ T-ball at the YMCA. I still can’t tell you a single rule of T-ball after that experience. But it was a great lesson in establishing discipline, in showing up each day, and learning how to manage complex stakeholders (overly competitive parents.)
What accomplishment are you the proudest of and why?
I am proudest of building Giving Tree Acres. Pouring my heart into something that serves others has been incredibly rewarding. But the best part was that I didn’t do it alone. This farm was built with the people I love most — my family, friends, and community. Seeing everyone come together for a greater purpose has created incredible memories and proved that we can make a real difference when we work together.
How do you motivate yourself and others?
I always start with the “why.” When people understand the deeper purpose behind what they’re doing, it becomes much more motivating and meaningful. Whether it’s launching a new project or tackling a tough challenge, staying connected to that bigger picture keeps me energized and helps inspire others to stay committed. I also believe in celebrating progress — big or small — because recognizing the wins along the way builds momentum and keeps everyone moving forward.
What was your “lightbulb moment” that led you to your career?
There wasn’t a single “lightbulb moment” for me. Instead, each year, I took stock of what I loved about my job and what I didn’t, then made moves that brought me closer to the work that energized me and further from what didn’t. Through every role, I’ve stayed true to my core purpose — improving the employee experience and leaving businesses and teams a little better than I found them. That mindset has been my guiding light, shaping my career one step at a time.
What would you tell an 18-year-old you?
I’d tell my 18-year-old self to think bigger and take more risks. When you’re young, you have the freedom to try, fail, and learn without as many consequences — so take advantage of it. You’ll never have as much free time as you do now, so use it to invest in your future. Build skills, make connections, and say yes to opportunities that push you outside your comfort zone.
If you could buy a book (or rent a movie) for your neighbor, what would it be and why?
The Bible. God’s word has given me so much peace, contentment, and purpose in my life — there’s really nothing else like it. No matter what season of life you’re in, it offers wisdom, reassurance, and a steady foundation to lean on.
What’s on your bucket list?
I mostly just have a list of farm animals that I want — alpacas, Valais Blacknose sheep, and highland cattle are at the top of the list.
What advice do you have for other young professionals?
Every experience is either a lesson or a blessing. Train yourself to view setbacks as valuable learning opportunities rather than failures. When you shift your mindset this way, failure and challenges become less intimidating, and you grow more confident in taking risks and adapting.
The other key piece is gratitude. It’s easy to focus on what you don’t have or what’s not going your way, but real progress comes when you shift your focus to what you do have and make the most of it. In your career, this means appreciating the skills you’re building, the people you’re learning from, and the doors that are opening — even if they don’t look exactly like what you expected.
