This is us.
Flavia Udkow
I am a native Brazilian, where I lived until moving to the Bay Area 16 years ago and settling down in Oakland. My husband, Jonathan, and I bought our beloved home in the Oakmore neighborhood 11 years ago and were immediately enchanted by the expansive backyard and the unlimited possibilities it had to offer.
Our backyard has gone through a lot of transformation and our family has also grown with the addition of Lola, our Chocolate Lab, followed by our daughter Zahra and our son Dylan. Our garden is the life of our home, it’s where we gather with family and friends, it’s our urban sanctuary and where we are constantly reminded of nature’s treasures.
I am a former Hospitality professional, having worked in some of the most prestigious Hotels in San Francisco. With a passion for travel and discovering new cultures, I have travelled around the globe, but I have since discovered the wonders of motherhood and the joys of living a slower lifestyle.
The pandemic has enhanced a newfound love for teaching children, as I became the caretaker for two of my friend’s kids alongside my daughter. My house was transformed into a small preschool, where I was able to channel my creativity into fun and educational activities, mostly focused around the garden.
That has evolved into the idea of sharing our sanctuary with the community and turning it into a place where people can gather, learn and share their experiences.
Darina Neal
I’m Darina, wife to Shawn, mama to our sweetest daughter Frankie, our rambunctious Cocker Spaniel, Lyle, and super chill Lab-Border Collie puppy, Vince. We live in the Oakland Hills and love it here, but one of my favorite things is the community.
I like to think that I’m a 3rd generation people-connector: both my grandma and mom have always been such networking pros, connecting people to each-other, to resources, creating this village around them. They’ve selflessly connected those around them to their dream jobs, dream homes, and even life-long partners and friends. I’m lucky to have gotten this gene also, and get so much joy from bringing people together!
When I became a mama, I was delighted to finally be part of this club, this village of families helping each-other through it all as we nurture our own little seedlings. I found such comfort and support in this community, and through this passion project of our ours, I want to continue to gather and share the love.
I have many years of experience in event management as well as population health and wellness, and have a deep passion for helping to enrich the physical and mental wellbeing of those around me by connecting them to all the wonderful resources available.
I’m so excited for you to join us on this journey, to be a part of this special village, to take a much-needed break, to network, be creative, learn from each-other and our community’s experts, laugh, and have fun!