GIVE
GIVE

OUR TEAM

Thanks to your generous support, our talented staff is in the field every day to restore wetlands and oyster reefs, reduce pollution and engage all ages in meaningful volunteer and education experiences. Thanks for helping us help the river heal. Your gift makes all the difference.

Lacy Shirey
Executive Director
lshirey@elizabethriver.org
757-828-4741
Pamela Boatwright
Deputy Director & River Star Businesses Manager
pboatwright@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-5422
Phoebe Murrell
Director of Restoration & River Star Homes Manager
pmurrell@elizabethriver.org
(757) 861-1821
Luísa Black Ellis
Director of Resilience & Community Engagement
lblack@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-4482
Summer Mace
Director of Education
smace@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-4314
Charlie James
Director of Finance
cjames@elizabethriver.org
757-828-4189
Casey Shaw
Director of Marketing & Communications
cshaw@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-4331
Susan Smith
Director of Development
ssmith@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-1422
Ella DiPetto
Lead Scientist
eDiPetto@elizabethriver.org
757-841-0443
McKenzie Arrington
Restoration Grant Manager
marrington@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-4234
Mary Batterson Stewart
Business Operations Manager
mbattersonstewart@elizabethriver.org
757-780-5881
Victoria Dunch
Resilience Research Manager
vdunch@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-4675
Jaye Farrell
Human Resources Manager
jfarrell@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-4532
Spider Crab and Kayla Nov 2019
Kayla Gradwell
Volunteer Manager
kgradwell@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-5417
Larry LaPell
Park Operations Manager, Paradise Creek Nature Park
llapell@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-4748
Hailey Lauritsen
Learning Barge Education Manager
hlauritsen@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-4885
Sarah McBride
School Outreach & Programs Manager
smcbride@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-4932
Jamie Melvin
Jamie Melvin
Engagement and EcoDistrict Manager
jmelvin@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-5465
Joshua Sawyer
Environmental Project Manager
jsawyer@elizabethriver.org
757-906-0804
Yolima Carr
Conservation Landscaping Curator, Paradise Creek Nature Park
ycarr@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-4828
Layne Houk
Restoration Specialist
lhouk@elizabethriver.org
757-828-4216
Abbey Marquardt
Educator & Engagement Specialist
amarquardt@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-4571
Pamela Northam
Pamela Northam
Development & Public Engagement Associate
pnortham@elizabethriver.org
757-828-6107
Mandi Pesha
Restoration Research Specialist
mpesha@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-4709
Jessica Pinsky
Ryan Resilience Lab Administrator
jpinsky@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-5118
Jamie Ramsey
Youth Resilience Educator
jramsey@elizabethriver.org
757-828-4581
‌Ru Williams
Engagement Coordinator
rwilliams@elizabethriver.org
(757) 828-4635

Board of Directors

Officers

Officers

President | Melissa Page Deutsch
Certified Personal Development Coach, Owner, Inner Voice
Immediate Past President | Ken Kimball
Chief Financial officer, Virginia Spaceport Authority
Vice President | Ray W. King
Attorney, Woods Rogers, PLC
Adjunct Vice President | Jeff Merritt
Market Vice-President, Cox Communications
Treasurer | Dr. Maynard Schaus
Professor of Biology and Environmental Science, Virginia Wesleyan University
Adjunct Treasurer | Cross Birdsong
Brown Advisory, Portfolio Analyst
Secretary | Louis F. Ryan
retired general counsel, landmark

Directors

Directors

Aimee Batten
Community Leader
Julie Chop
Real Estate Development Specialist, City of Portsmouth Economic Development Department
Hon. Courtney Doyle
Vice president, marketing, Sentara health
Matt Fine
President, The Runnymede Corporation
Del. Jackie Glass
Virginia House of Delegates, 93rd District
Susan Goode
Community Leader
Herb Haneman
President, Lindel Power Group
Burr Henderson
managing director,truist private wealth
Ryan Kenrick
attorney, Williams Mullen
Hon. Delceno Miles
president/ceo, the miles agency
Molly Mitchell, Ph.D.
Assistant Research Faculty SMS/VIMS and William and Mary, Director of Professional M.A. Program Center for Coastal Resources and Management, VIMS, Batten School of Coastal and Marine Science, William and Mary
Margie Mulholland, Ph.D.
Professor, Old Dominion University, Dept. Ocean and Earth Sciences
Chris Neikirk
Norfolk Southern, retired
Shannon Pierce
CEO, Virginia Natural Gas
Josh Priest
Retired Navy Engineer,  Naval Facilities Engineering Command
Carl “Alex” Retzloff
Attorney, McGuirewoods, LLP
Mia Lefkowitz Robinson
Project Manager, Flooring Division, HAPAX
Will Smith
External Affairs Representative III, Dominion Energy
Patrick Whelan
Talent Acquisition Officer, TowneBank
David White
Executive Director, Virginia Maritime Association

Community Representative

Directors

Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston
President, Norfolk State University

River Academy Lecture Hall Request

Thank you for your interest in the Elizabeth River Project’s River Academy Lecture Hall. We’re delighted that our site is in high demand. As the River Academy Lecture Hall is operated by a small non-profit with a big environmental mission, please help us make sure your event is a great fit.

Please fill this form out at least 30 days in advance of the event.

NOTE: This form does not confirm your reservation, reservations are confirmed upon ERP receipt of signed contract and paid deposit.

Event Type(Required)
*Rates include up to 3 hours for meetings on weekdays and weeknights, and 6 hours for events on the weekends, including setup and takedown. Additional time will be billed at 20% per hour
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Our maximum capacity is 50 for theater or presentation style events and 30 for classroom style.
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Start Time(Required)
:
End Time(Required)
:
Set Up Time
:
Take Down Time
:
Set Up Preferences(Required)
Check all that apply
Audio/Visual Needs(Required)
Check all that apply
We would like the Elizabeth River Project to make a 3-5 minute announcement at the start of the event regarding the mission and ways to get involved(Required)
This field is hidden when viewing the form
We would like the Elizabeth River Project to make a 3-5 minute announcement at the start of the event regarding the mission and ways to get involved

If given the go-ahead for our event, sponsor organization agrees to these River Academy Lecture Hall policies:

Yes, we agree to sustainable/responsible event practices(Required)
Yes, we will adhere to start and end times (15-minute leeway) and will return the space to the condition in which you found it.(Required)

Additionally, sponsor organization agrees to these administrative/liability requirements:

  • ERP maintains insurance for its activities at the River Academy Lecture Hall. Sponsoring organizations should ensure that they have appropriate insurance coverage as well.
  • Weapons are prohibited.
  • Open flames generally are prohibited (special permission only).
  • Outdoor guests will be required to exit the Park during thunder, lightning, high winds or any circumstance deemed hazardous by ERP.
  • Waiver of Claims: Sponsoring organizations agree to release, waive all claims, discharge, and covenant not to sue Elizabeth River Project, its officers, employees, volunteers, and agents from liability from any and all claims resulting in personal injury, accidents or illnesses and property loss arising from, but not limited to, participation in the event and related tours, due to the negligence of sponsor, sponsor's employees, or event participants.
  • Notice of Claims: Sponsor agrees to provide immediate notice to ERP if any participant either files, or threatens to file, a claim arising from or related to the event, so that ERP can notify its insurance carriers.
  • COVID Statement: Participants will monitor their own health prior to reporting to any Elizabeth River Project event/activity. If any signs or symptoms of infection are present, the individual must not report to the event.
  • Photo Release: Photos of the event may be shared as part of grant reporting or posted on Elizabeth River Project website/social media unless otherwise specified by the sponsor organization.
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Ryan Resilience Lab Event Request

Thank you for your interest in the Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab. We’re delighted that our site is in high demand. As the Ryan Resilience Lab is operated by a small non-profit with a big environmental mission, please help us make sure your event is a great fit.

Please fill this form out at least 30 days in advance of the event.

NOTE: This form does not confirm your reservation, reservations are confirmed upon ERP receipt of signed contract and paid deposit.

Event Type(Required)
*Rates include up to 3 hours for meetings on weekdays and weeknights, and 6 hours for events on the weekends, including setup and takedown. Additional time will be billed at 20% per hour
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Our maximum for indoor seated events is 85 theater style and 45 classroom style. For standing receptions, the maximum is 100 indoors or 125 indoor-outdoor.
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Start Time(Required)
:
End Time(Required)
:
Set Up Time
:
Take Down Time
:
Set Up Preferences(Required)
Check all that apply
Audio/Visual Needs(Required)
Check all that apply
We would like to offer attendees the option to tour the Ryan lab(Required)
We would like the Elizabeth River Project to make a 3-5 minute announcement at the start of the event regarding the mission and ways to get involved(Required)
This field is hidden when viewing the form
We would like the Elizabeth River Project to make a 3-5 minute announcement at the start of the event regarding the mission and ways to get involved

If given the go-ahead for our event, sponsor organization agrees to these Ryan Lab policies:

Yes, we agree to sustainable/responsible event practices(Required)
Yes, we will adhere to start and end times (15-minute leeway) and will return the space to the condition in which you found it.(Required)

Additionally, sponsor organization agrees to these administrative/liability requirements:

  • ERP maintains insurance for its activities at the Ryan Lab. Sponsoring organizations should ensure that they have appropriate insurance coverage as well.
  • Weapons are prohibited.
  • Open flames generally are prohibited (special permission only).
  • Outdoor guests will be required to exit the Learning Park during thunder, lightning, high winds or any circumstance deemed hazardous by ERP.
  • Waiver of Claims: Sponsoring organizations agree to release, waive all claims, discharge, and covenant not to sue Elizabeth River Project, its officers, employees, volunteers, and agents from liability from any and all claims resulting in personal injury, accidents or illnesses and property loss arising from, but not limited to, participation in the event and related tours, due to the negligence of sponsor, sponsor's employees, or event participants.
  • Notice of Claims: Sponsor agrees to provide immediate notice to ERP if any participant either files, or threatens to file, a claim arising from or related to the event, so that ERP can notify its insurance carriers.
  • COVID Statement: Participants will monitor their own health prior to reporting to any Elizabeth River Project event/activity. If any signs or symptoms of infection are present, the individual must not report to the event.
  • Photo Release: Photos of the event may be shared as part of grant reporting or posted on Elizabeth River Project website/social media unless otherwise specified by the sponsor organization.
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Youth Water Monitoring Results

Entry Data

Name(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Time(Required)
:

Sample Data

Bacteria

Observations

Drop files here or
Accepted file types: jpg, png, heic, tiff, Max. file size: 256 MB.
    Add any field observation photos here