MISSION CONTROL: Gabe Biber on Nonprofit Leadership, Local Food, and the Power of Place
On a recent episode of the *Mission Control* podcast, host Paul Schmidt sat down with Gabe Biber, Executive Director of Fenner Nature Conservancy in Lansing, Michigan. What unfolded was more than a conversation about trails and trees—it was an in-depth journey through nonprofit leadership, food justice, urban farming, and the personal and professional creativity that drives Gabe’s work.
Gabe’s path to Fenner wasn’t a straight line. From working in kitchens and community gardens to leading stream monitoring programs and coordinating food security projects, each step added to a broader understanding of how place, people, and sustainability intersect. His early work at the Greater Lansing Food Bank helped him connect with local communities, including refugee growers bringing rich agricultural traditions to Lansing’s urban soil. Gabe embraced the role of facilitator—someone who makes connections, listens, and helps people share knowledge and resources across cultures.
This work laid the foundation for his leadership philosophy. Later, at Haven House, a local shelter, Gabe assumed new responsibilities, transitioning from volunteer coordination to executive leadership. The transition taught him that nonprofit success isn’t just about operations—it’s about vision, relationship-building, and a commitment to systemic change.
Now at Fenner, Gabe leads a team focused on connecting people with nature right in the heart of Lansing. While many know Fenner for its trails and programs, Gabe is especially excited about its expansion into early childhood education. The Conservancy’s nature-based preschool is thriving, offering immersive outdoor learning experiences that spark curiosity and environmental stewardship in kids. For Gabe, this is about more than education—it’s planting seeds for future community leaders.
Throughout the conversation, one theme kept surfacing: creativity. Whether navigating the tensions of nonprofit collaboration, stepping into new leadership roles, or playing improv jazz after hours, Gabe sees creativity as a core tool. It helps him stay flexible, curious, and resilient in a field that rarely offers easy answers.
His advice for new community gardeners? “There’s no wrong way to do it.” The same could apply to nonprofit work—there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there is value in showing up, listening, and growing together.
From systems change to stream stewardship, Gabe Biber’s story is a powerful example of nonprofit leadership grounded in humility, collaboration, and imagination. And as Paul reminded listeners at the close of the episode, it’s everyday changemakers like Gabe who help communities thrive.
You can connect with Gabe or learn more about Fenner at [mynaturecenter.org](https://www.mynaturecenter.org). To hear the whole conversation, check out the *Mission Control* podcast on YouTube or your favorite app.
**Stay curious. Stay grounded. And as always—keep reaching for Mission Control.**
