The Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP) has been an advocate for migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the United States since 1971. The thread that binds the Association is the concept that training and education can provide the launching pad to a better and more stable life for the workers who plant, tend, and harvest the crops that Americans consume at their tables.
Executive Director
Daniel Sheehan is the executive director at AFOP. He joined the association in this capacity September 10, 2012. Daniel brings 25 years of public policy experience to the association, with a particular focus on improving communities. He previously worked as a professional registered lobbyist representing a wide variety of public-sector clients, including local governments, transit systems, airports, and universities. Prior to becoming a lobbyist, Daniel served as a professional staff member for a United States senator, United States representative, and a committee of the United States House of Representatives. Daniel holds a bachelor of arts degree in history and macro-economics from the College of William & Mary in Virginia.
Health & Safety Programs Director
Children In the Fields Campaign Director
Melanie Forti joined AFOP on September 28, 2009. As AFOP’s Health & Safety Programs Director and Children In the Fields Campaign (CIFC), she supervises a team of 3 dedicated staff and ensures grants compliance. Melanie continues to successfully secure funding for her programs through grant writing and fundraising collaboration. She plays an active role as an advisory board member for the Pesticide Educational Resource Collaborative (PERC) with UCLA and OSU. Melanie is also part of the Childhood Agricultural Safety Network (CASN) Leadership Team, and an active advisory board member of the National Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Collaborative Office. She brings over 16 years of experience in program development and implementation, training, project management, supervision, and budget management. She has over 15 years of experience and knowledge of farmworker health and safety issues and has been an active farmworker advocate for over 13 years. Melanie holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Sacred Heart University in Puerto Rico.
Director of Workforce Development
Kendra Moesle is the Director of Workforce Development at AFOP. After signing on with AFOP in 2016, she led the effort in developing the new NFJP desk guide. After accomplishing that, she served as Communications Coordinator for AFOP Health & Safety, managing AFOP H&S social media presence, assisting with the CIF contest, and writing/coordinating the CIFC publication. Now in her role as DWD, Kendra delivers technical assistance to AFOP members in coordination with the NFJP team at the US Department of Labor. Additionally, she assists the executive director in developing press releases as well as the AFOP monthly newsletter. Prior to coming to AFOP, Kendra spent five years at the Department of Labor working on a diverse range of programs and grants within the Employment and Training Administration. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA.
Program Manager for AFOP’s Health & Safety Programs
Vashti Kelly is the Program Manager for AFOP’s Health & Safety Programs. As the Program Manager she organizes AFOP’s Health & Safety Programs’ education projects. Vashti develops low-literacy, bilingual curriculum and training materials related to pesticide safety and other topics for farmworkers. Vashti is responsible for recruiting trainers and training sites, organizing train-the-trainer events, and conducting various Train-the-Trainer courses. Prior to joining AFOP in 2012 to work on the Children in the Fields Campaign, Vashti obtained valuable experience in workforce development programs in South Florida, where she also worked as a contract teacher for the public school system. Vashti holds a Master’s of International Relations from Florida International University. She graduated from the University of Miami in Florida with a dual Bachelor’s of International Studies and Spanish as well as studied abroad at the Universidad de Cantabria in Spain.
Program Clerk for AFOP’s Health & Safety Programs
Tamara is responsible for the planning and management of AFOP Board of Directors meetings, the association’s yearly Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., and annual National Conference. She also supports AFOP Health and Safety programs.