The Conservation League is excited to announce the appointment of two new members of the Board of Directors: Darcy Mauro and Duncan Mégroz. Darcy and Duncan share the Conservation League’s passion for protecting our environment and the coastal plain. Their involvement will be a tremendous asset to the Conservation League and to the protection of the South Carolina coast.
Darcy Mauro has lived on Sullivan’s Island for 20 years, where she recently retired as the President of Sawgrass Technologies. Prior to Sawgrass, she lived in the upstate of South Carolina, as well as New York, San Francisco, and Baltimore. Darcy is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in economics and attended Miss Porter’s School, where she served on the Board of Trustees for 12 years and as President of the Alumni Board. She has also served on various boards for the University of Virginia. Darcy is also the South Carolina Chair for the Society of International Business Fellow. Darcy loves living on Sullivan’s Island and enjoys the beach and the beautiful coastal environment and hopes to help maintain what she has come to love.
Duncan Mégroz is a Managing Director, Head of Product Management and Investor Relations for Real Estate Secondaries in the Ares Investor Relations Group. Prior to joining Ares in 2022, Duncan was a Managing Director at Grubb Properties, where he was responsible for portfolio strategy, investment management and capital formation for their flagship fund series. Previously, Duncan was a Director at PJT Partners & Blackstone, where he was a member of the Park Hill Real Estate Group. In addition, Duncan was an Associate Vice President on the private real estate team at Partners Group, where he focused on acquisitions throughout the Americas. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Colorado College in Economics.
The Conservation League also recognizes four board members for their tremendous dedication to our coast during their time on the Board. Steve Zoukis, Cynnie Kellogg, Ceara Donnelley and Andrew Carmines finished their terms after a collective 37 years of serving in their roles of Board of Directors.
“Thank you to Steve, Cynnie, Ceara, and Andrew for their years of service to the Coastal Conservation League,” said Faith Rivers James, Executive Director of the Conservation League. “Our Board is instrumental in our guiding our successes and we are thankful for the continued support of past and current board members.”
Stephen Zoukis joined the Board in 2013 and led the GrowFood Carolina committee for many years. He was born in Vermont, but eventually made his way to South Carolina, where he fell in love with the Lowcountry. Steve currently serves as CEO of a company on Charleston’s upper peninsula.
Cynnie Kellogg joined the Conservation League Board in 2015. She and her husband Peter are longtime supporters of the Conservation League and have a long history of supporting land conservation efforts. Cynnie and Peter are winter residents of Yeaman’s Hall.
Ceara began her role on the board in 2014 and served as Chair from 2021-2023. Ceara’s connection to the work of the Conservation League goes back to her family ties, as her father was a good friend of Conservation League founder Dana Beach. Ceara’s pursuits beyond work continue her family’s legacy commitment to the natural world. She also sits on the board of the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, which supports land conservation and artistic vitality in Chicago and the Lowcountry.
Andrew Carmines joined the Board in 2021. He is President at Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks and has dedicated his life to the seafood industry in South Carolina. He uses his platform to create awareness and educate the public on the value of the area’s natural resources and the importance of protecting them. In addition to his passion for all things seafood, the Carmines family is very passionate about serving the local community.