Bridging holistic health and wellness with civic ecology
Nathan Lou - Co-founder and Executive Director

Nathan was born and raised in San Diego and has completed an AS in Agriculture from Yuba College, and BS in Natural Resources, with special emphasis in Fish and Wildlife Conservation, from Oregon State University. With over 15 years of cultivation experience, Nathan has developed a passion for agro-ecology and agro-forestry. Nathan is the co-founder and executive director of Mongol Tribe, a community and capacity building 501c3 focused on bridging health and wellness with civic ecology. With pillars in co-operative development, regenerative practices, and education, Mongol Tribe is cultivating urban food forests and seed libraries for its Food & Medicine Sovereignty Program. Nathan is leading the process of developing an apprenticeship program with an emphasis on traditional ecological knowledge and regenerative agroforestry practices. Nathan recently completed a pilot project funded by the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego via the Department of Conservation’s Regional Fire and Forest Capacity Program, which took place on Palomar Mountain. Nathan performed a comprehensive GIS vegetative survey for forest health, primarily studying the oak trees and relevant ethnobotanicals as part of Mongol Tribe's Natural Land Management Program. Nathan sits on the board for Slow Food Urban San Diego as the Food Justice Chairperson.​
Alicia Lou - Co-founder and Wellness Director, CMT, NCBTMB

​Alicia is a devoted and empowered mother that lives a holistic lifestyle. Alicia has nearly 15 years of experience working in the wellness industry, graduating from the Aveda Institute in 2005 for Massage Therapy. Alicia is currently in pursuit of an A.S. in Oriental Medicine from the Pacific College with aspirations for a doctorate. Presently, Alicia is the Lead Massage Therapist at the Willow’s Spa. Inspired by her grandmothers’ devotion to the cultivation of a deep connection to all living beings, Alicia continues to serve and advocate for human equality. She has a profound appreciation for plants and their medicinal uses to harmonize imbalances in the earth and ourselves. With a keen understanding about how to support others in their healing, Alicia has an incredible ability to recognize opportunity for growth. Alicia provides an enriching and dynamic perspective to our wellness program and its enrichment.