Owner and Creative Director
As far back as Jenifer Green can remember, she has loved art. Her mother was an artist and encouraged her children with afternoons filled with homemade kitchen clay, noodle necklaces, and collages. Being creative was a given, part of the family DNA. Green pursued fine art in college and graduated from Philadelphia College of Art. She and husband Don Green, a furniture maker, co-founded Greentree Home in 1992 with the intention to create innovative and individually crafted furniture and home accessories. In 2001, Jenifer launched Greentree Home Candle. Today, in addition to exploring new designs and directions for her growing beeswax candle company, she directs her attention to marketing. In her spare time, she tends to beekeeping and hiking.
A leader in technique, Mykel Anne carries candle-making wisdom on the Greentree production floor, enriched by the joy she feels when making things with her hands. She carries knowledge and experience from her background in farming, as well as two decades of work at the Farmer's Museum. When not immersed in candles, Mykel Anne can be found gardening, quilting, and being the proud mother of a little boy.
Jessie brightens the Greentree space like a ray of sunshine. Her enthusiasm has deep roots. From accompanying her mom during trade shows to learning lessons in adaptability as Greentree Home grew into Greentree Home Candle – Jessie has been a dedicated supporter of the family business. In 2021, the stars aligned for her to officially join the team. In addition to being part of the candle family, Jessie loves cooking and trying out new recipes, creating all kinds of art projects, and hanging with her pets.
Two of Helen's many incarnations – as a professional chef and studio assistant for a textile designer – served as perfect background for understanding production and developing a rhythm, while keeping an eye on the variables of candle making. Helen's other creative pursuits entail singing with a large choir and performing with a small acapella group. While living in Oneonta, over hill and dale from Greentree, she raised her son, who has successfully fledged, and now her housemates are her two dogs and one cat. She also bakes really, really delicious cakes.
Kayla came to Greentree in January of 2022, after dedicating many years to local community violence intervention and addiction treatment programs. Inspired by her mom, Kayla treasures spreading light and joy to others – she sees making beautiful candles as a way of passing on that light. When she is happy and in her flow, you can find Kayla dancing, skating, hiking, and gardening.
Currently a college student, Asher brings his love of learning to Greentree where he enjoys honing his new candle making skills. The proud parent of two kids, along with Ranger the golden retriever, Lakoya the galaxy betta fish, and Emmie the African egg-eating snake – Asher deeply cherishes community and spending time with friends and family.
An active member of the local community, Nikola is passionate about being of service and helping people achieve their dreams. Nikola brings steadiness and focus to the Greentree candle production team, as well as her love of communications and the arts. When not candle-making, Nikola enjoys writing poems, abstract painting, hiking, cooking, working on the house that her parents built, or spending time with her cat, Doom.
Anne landed at Greentree in the fall of 2021, where she continues to bring the fire on the candle production team. A creative with dedicated practices that expand across multiple arts mediums, Anne's passion for textiles led her to handcrafting custom fashion and home decor utilizing modern and historic construction techniques. Anne resides in a big red farmhouse with her farmer husband, and his cows.
Rachelle brings her keen eye for aesthetics to Greentree, and feels at home in the creative environment. A craftsperson to the core, Rachelle enjoys beekeeping, mead making, gardening, canning, cooking, ceramic painting, and DIY home projects. As Rachelle says: “Life is just too short to not be happy or do something that you're passionate about."
Abby grew up in the village of Treadwell and worked in neighboring restaurant scenes before joining Greentree in the fall of 2022. Her strong, grounded energy stems from her connection to nature and particular passion for horses. When not making candles, Abby savors gardening, baking, practicing Equestrian sports, and spending time with her family – three children, two dogs, and a cat.
Michael spent 20+ years working in Marketing & Process Improvement at JP Morgan Chase before moving to the Catskills with his partner and their son. "We started as weekenders and fell in love with the area. When we had the opportunity to be here full time we took the plunge. The sense of community up here is extraordinary." Michael enjoys being outdoors and has a passion for travel – although he is always happy to come home to the beauty of the Catskills.
Ella's sweet presence uplifts the already good vibes at Greentree. A student at the local SUNY Delhi, Ella was shaped by her childhood in the Catskills and hand-on experiences working in gardens and greenhouses. She stays grounded through her aerial yoga practice and spending time with lovely fur friends – nugget the pug, cheese the gecko, and finnick the ferret.
Bringing care and tenderness to the Greentree family, Chris grew up in the Catskills region and continues to nourish his community roots. A lover of board games and music of all kinds, Chris is also passionate about offering care and support to local animal shelters. He draws energetic motivation for all that he does in life from his wife and his two cats, Kronos and Rhea.
Rose's spirit is nourished by the natural beauty that surrounds her. She brings a zest for life and passion for serving her community to Greentree, with a background as a childbirth instructor and birth doula. When she's not enjoying a laugh with the Greentree family, you can find Rose gardening, cooking, hiking, reading, painting, and enjoying time with her three children.
An abolitionist, farmer, and healer, el was raised on the lands of the Susquehannock, Onʌyote’a•ka, Karonhiá:ke, and Onundagaonoga people. el served as a thought partner and candle maker when Greentree Home Candle was beginning and blossoming – now, el enjoys bringing their magic to the candle family through digital storytelling, editing, and writing. Read the Greentree blog here!
