Nerissa Nefeteri Olugbala is a Jamaican-born model, entrepreneur, and advocate for natural living whose work has consistently centered women’s wellness, body autonomy, and a deep relationship with the earth. Raised with strong Caribbean roots, she has spent decades using her platform to challenge mainstream beauty standards and build community around authentic, embodied living.

Widely recognized in the natural hair movement for her signature floor-length locs, Nerissa became a trailblazer in an industry that rarely made room for her. She has fronted major international brands, founded natural feminine health product lines, and built a global following grounded not in performance but in practice.

Her connection to Grown in Haiti is rooted in friendship and shared conviction. She and founder Sidney-Max Etienne have known each other for nearly twenty years, and her decision to join the board reflects a long-held alignment around sovereignty, healing, and what it means to return to the land. As a board member, Nerissa brings her reach, her clarity, and her commitment to work that serves real communities from the inside out.