AIDÈE MAGAÑA

Aidee has always had a passion for wellness, already shopping for her own groceries at age of 13. She discovered Mothers Market and it was there that she would begin her career in an industry she loves, working her way from a Juice Bar Clerk to an Assistant Store Manager, while learning just about every department in between.  

Aidee lives with her partner Erik of 17 years, a sweet and shy cat, and a playful rescue dog who she will attempt to bring everywhere.  Most days Aidee likes to spend her time at home with her animals, but you might find her at an arcade playing pinball or winning stuffed animals from a claw machine for her niece and nephews.

ANNISA AGUILAR

Annisa has been working in the natural products industry since the late 90’s, working at independently owned markets from Country Sun Natural Foods, Sonoma Market, and Oliver’s Market in the Bay Area, to corporations like Whole Foods. In 2014, Annisa left the retail role and worked as a sales representative for Shikai Products, Rainbow Light, Natural Vitality and NeoCell. She is passionate about empowering and helping people and loves bringing positivity and teamwork into her work and play.
 

Annisa began her health journey in her teen years by going vegan, taking supplements, cleansing, and exploring yoga and meditation. Her love for health and healing led her to learn about herbalism, flower essence therapy, and energy healing techniques. She loves cooking, gardening, hiking, dancing, practicing yoga, and dressing up in costumes for any occasion!

DEREK FINN

Derek was born in Wichita, Kansas, and got his start in the natural foods industry in the mid ‘90s while attending Wichita State University. He worked at two small, local natural foods stores in Wichita before moving to Lawrence, KS, where he worked at the Community Merc Co+op for several years. 

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In late 2001, Derek migrated west and ended up in Sonoma County, where he’s been ever since. Not long after moving to Santa Rosa, he stumbled upon Community Market, a worker-run, not-for-profit natural foods store. He knew right away that he had found his next job. He spent the next 17 years there, quickly working his way up to grocery buyer and then manager. He spent six years on the board of directors, and helped design and build Community Market’s second store in Sebastopol, which opened in 2013.

Derek is very passionate about natural and organic foods and products, and genuinely loves working in the industry. When he’s not working with food, cooking, or eating, he’s usually out on his bike somewhere, hanging out at the beach, or home playing music.

ERIN GRANT

Erin first fell in love with organic and natural foods while earning her Bachelors of Science in Animal Science & Management at UC Davis. She hopped on the Yin Yang Naturals bus to combine two of her greatest passions: food with a purpose, and the sharing of that food with others! After working at an independent grocery store in the East Bay (Diablo Foods) and hands on with locally raised, high quality eats at the UC Davis Meat Department, she learned that great food has integrity, and natural, wholesome foods are important not only as palate pleasers, but also for our well-being.

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Erin enjoys diving deeper into her love for the outdoors, sustainability, and playing music. When she’s not out on the road with Yin Yang she’ll be out on road trips, hikes, her yoga mat, or playing saxophone in her jazz-funk band.

GINA MONDEREN

Gina was born and raised in Northern California. Her deep respect for nature started early on, coming from a family of avid campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Her first experience in the natural foods business was working in a small community market in the Lake Tahoe area. Inspired by the owner who wanted to make a difference and live sustainably, she discovered a passion for the same.

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Studying everything from massage therapy and herbal healing, to better ways to grow and eat food, Gina’s love of nature and natural healing brought her to Nugget Markets. There she worked as a Healthy Living Specialist/Buyer for 6 years. Educating herself and others on Natural Living in an ever changing industry has been her focus and passion.

She brings this experience to Yin Yang Naturals as a territory manager covering the Sacramento, Davis, Chico and Fresno areas.  In her personal life, Gina’s most rewarding endeavor is being a mom. She enjoys gardening, yoga and cooking with friends. She loves being outdoors, kayaking and disc golfing as well.

HY LONG MICHAEL NGUYEN

Hy Long was born in Vietnam and raised in the natural landscapes of Marin County, CA. At an early age, the connection to nature and its preservation sparked his curiosity to pursue a life of mindful well-being. Upon receiving his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University of Pacific, Hy Long lived all across the United States as a Regional Consultant implementing Healthcare IT to non-profit community clinics. After 12 years in the Healthcare IT industry, he pivoted his life into a deeper commitment to mindful living by studying Yoga. Hy Long is a RYT500 Certified Yoga Teacher and a Level II South Bath Practitioner in San Francisco and Marin County.  His classes are well-known for their energizing, detailed and thoughtful approach that speaks to the heart.  

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Hy Long embodies all his life experience into Yin Yang Naturals. With the pursuit to bring continuous improvement in representing our brands, developing relationships with our partners and leaving the world a better place. 

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Hy Long is a devoted father and lover of animals, nature, adventure, sports, arts, community service, and music.

JENN ESRAILIAN

Jenn was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She brings a professional background of 20+ years in the food/coffee/retail industry that includes extensive work in the promotion of, and education around, organic and fairly-traded coffees. As a manager and brand ambassador, her appreciation of quality products and the value they add to customer's lives was a driving force in her new found personal love for organic and natural food products of all kinds. She is returning to Yin Yang Naturals and hopes to help make a difference in the natural food revolution. 

She now lives in the Sacramento area with her son and is an avid reader and animal lover. She loves to hike with her son along the American River and enjoy the greater Sacramento outdoors.

JEN JONES

Jen is a native Californian and was basically raised in a health food store! At age 9, her family opened "Richard's Natural Foods” which they ran for 17 years. During that time, she obtained much knowledge as a buyer, trainer, and manager, while attending college for nutrition and massage therapy.

She started her journey in the broker industry as South Bay Territory Representative at New Connections Brokerage, then spent 14 years at Natural Specialty Sales where she worked her way up to Senior Unit Manager, calling on New Leaf Markets HQ and numerous independent retailers in the South and East Bay. She has gained trust and wonderful relationships with her accounts.

In her free time, Jen enjoys hiking and kayaking with Charlie (her mini Labradoodle), mountain biking, healthy eating, wine tasting, and teaching spin classes.

JEN SMITH

After graduating with a degree in Writing from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, Jen spent a few seasons in the NYC publishing scene before trekking back to California. She has spent the last 9 years leading and growing teams for Mother’s Market & Kitchen, Bristol Farms and Lazy Acres, all while continuing her education in Ayurvedic Medicine and Nutrition. Jen pursues a healthy lifestyle, viewing food as medicine and every experience as an opportunity for adventure.

Always needing a creative outlet, Jen's hobbies range from gardening to writing to metal fabrication and back around to cooking homegrown food with a good glass of wine in her hand. Native to California, Jen is committed to seeing the state thrive, starting with her new community in Sacramento where she shares a home with her husband and her cat, Professor Seamus.

JoHanna Cody

To be healthy is to eat naturally. As the Pacific Northwest Key Account Coordinator for Yin Yang Naturals, JoHanna works in tandem with her colleagues in representing some of the best natural brands in the marketplace. She feels privileged to have the wonderful opportunity to work alongside like minded people who also believe in the power of natural food. She could not imagine being in any other industry.

JoHanna’s background in managing administrative and operational functions within the natural products industry began in 2017, where she worked as a Sales Administrative Coordinator for a natural foods brokerage in Roseville, California.  Growing up, JoHanna would spend her summers running barefoot along the Yuba River and eating up all the wild blackberries and sweet honeysuckles she could find.

Her upbringing later influenced her to continue incorporating the natural world into her life. Along with her husband, Isaiah, she passes these traditions onto her daughter, Harlow Sage, and spends all of her free time hiking and enjoying the outdoors with her family.

KEVIN CRISTI

Big time dreamer, full on Dog Dad. Originally hailing from the Midwest, Kevin is thrilled to be back in the Bay Area after a ten year absence. During his time away, he lived and worked in Japan, New York and LA. After years of living in concrete jungles, he’s developed an even stronger respect for nature, committing to reduce his own carbon footprint through a more mindful existence. “If we don’t protect the forests and oceans, where will we take our pets to frolic and run freely?”

With a natural inclination towards all things healthy and wholesome, Kevin was immediately drawn to Yin Yang Naturals and the brands they represent. He wishes to bring continued success and excellence to the team.

When he isn’t working hard on the job, you can find him hanging out at the park with his adorable cockapoo, Phakchi. If he’s not there, he’s probably whipping up something delicious in the kitchen or concocting some huge scheme to better the world.

MARCI RAMIREZ

Marci was born and raised in Truckee, Ca. She grew up skiing and enjoying the fresh mountain air. She has 

had a passion for the natural products industry since high school. She moved to San Diego and went to 

school for massage therapy. She then continued her education at the University of Natural Medicine and she

is currently working on her Bachelors of Natural Health Science’s.

She started her journey at Henrys Farmer Market in San Diego as an Assistant Service Manager for three years. Then she Transferred to Whole Foods Market in Reno, NV. She started buying for the lifestyles sub team and was promoted to vitamin buyer shortly after.

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She lives in Truckee, CA with her daughter, Larissa, who is seven years old. She enjoys spending time 

with her family and friends. Her true passion lies with the beautiful mountains that she gets to spend most 

of her time.

MIKE ROJAS

Mike was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He moved to Southern California to earn his Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts from San Diego Mesa College. While attending school, Mike worked at Petsmart as a lead cashier. After graduating, he joined Petsmart full-time as a Merchandising Manager back in the Bay Area and eventually was promoted to Assistant Store Manager. 

Mike's next stop on his professional journey took him into a role with new challenges, accepting a sales position with Verizon. He worked his way up to being promoted to General Manager and held various roles covering small business sales, operations, and customer experience.

During the pandemic, Mike decided that he wanted a career change that allowed him to focus more on health and wellness. He followed his passion for personal development, which led him to pursue and achieve certification as a life coach. While finding his new path, he joined Sprouts Farmers Market as a vitamin clerk in the Wellness department. This was where he got his start with wellness brands and natural foods. By joining YYN, Mike is fulfilling his desire to work with brands that care about the health and well-being of people and the planet.

In his free time, Mike likes to watch sports and he follows all the Bay Area teams. He also enjoys listening to podcasts, walking his dog, and being out in nature. A relaxing day for him includes working in the garden while listening to a baseball game.

NANCI TRENT

Nanci is a third-generation Bay Area resident, which provided her with a great love for gardens year-round, a close-knit family with rooted traditions, and appreciation for nature. A perfect day includes a local road trip with the family (daughter Siena and son Brandon) and dogs Phil (husky) and Frosty (malamute) to some of their favorite places: the Redwoods, Monterey, or San Francisco. Whether hiking, chill’n or having a picnic, she enjoys being with family and nature.  

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Nanci considers herself quite lucky to have had a colorful career with many different experiences, incorporating her love for the environment, business, and food. From starting at Humboldt State to graduating from USF in Organizational Behavior, she worked for a large corporation in marketing, sales, and training. She then had the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream of teaching culinary arts, and worked as a private chef.  Most recently, she worked in CPG/Food Services in the coffee industry for Kicking Horse Coffee and Peerless Coffee.

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The culture at Yin Yang embodies her appreciation for natural/organic products and retailers and allows her to work with people who share similar interests.