Faith Rivers James
Executive Director
Faith is a Mount Pleasant native who grew up in the historic Four Mile community East of the Cooper River. She has felt a connection to the landscape of the Lowcountry all her life, and witnessed firsthand the change that unbridled growth and development can have on our beloved environment. She has devoted her energy, expertise, and legal acumen to influence this conservation in pragmatic and entrepreneurial ways. Faith is a graduate of the Porter-Gaud School in Charleston, Dartmouth College, and Harvard Law School. Following schooling, she launched a legal career in Washington, D.C. Soon after, she returned to South Carolina and served as Executive Director of the South Carolina Bar Foundation. There, she was fortunate to be able to work in partnership with the Coastal Community Foundation to launch the Heirs’ Property Preservation Project. Later, her law teaching career led her to focus on property and environmental issues at Vermont Law School and Elon University School of Law, where she served as Associate Dean of experiential learning and leadership. Faith returned home to the Lowcountry in 2018 to serve as the Assistant Provost for Leadership and Chair of the Department of Leadership Studies at The Citadel, where she taught the next generation of our state’s leaders. Throughout her work and life, Faith has always prioritized the conservation of natural resources, protecting our rural landscapes, and preserving communities, and is grateful to have the opportunity to do so in the role of Executive Director of the Coastal Conservation League. Faith has served as Executive Director since August 2022.
Taylor Allred
Energy & Climate Program Director
Taylor Allred recently hit the ground running in his new role as Energy & Climate Program Director, starting on Earth Day 2024, and looks forward to serving as an advocate for state and local policies that help to advance a clean energy transition as quickly and equitably as possible.
Robert Boyles
Senior Advisor for Conservation Policy, Advocacy, and Leadership
Robert H. Boyles, Jr., ensures that the Coastal Conservation League’s efforts are rooted in the best available science and policy to address the most pressing environmental threats. He provides strategic counsel on a range of critical issues, helping the organization intensify its environmental advocacy, expand community engagement, and optimize collaborative partnerships. Robert previously served as Director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), where he earned the Capt. David H. Hart Award for his contributions to the sustainable management of marine resources. In addition to coaching the next generation of conservation and community leaders, Robert enjoys spending time with his family, doing anything outdoors (including beekeeping), and channeling his creativity as a multi-instrumental musician.
MJ Campbell
GrowFood Carolina Sales & Marketing Account Manager
Born and raised right here in the Lowcountry, MJ comes to GrowFood Carolina in hopes to help bridge the gap between restaurants and growers. Having worked with GrowFood for a decade as a chef, she is no stranger to the mission of putting fresh and local produce on tables. Now as Sales and Marketing Account Manager, she will build relationships with chefs, guide them in purchasing, and grow new accounts. In her own words, MJ is ready to take the apron off and try a new approach to making a difference in the community through food. She looks forward to seeing the people and story behind produce while on farm visits, and connecting chefs with seasonal products to optimize their menus.
Riley Egger
Land, Water & Wildlife Program Director
A native Texan, Riley came to the Conservation League in 2020 and has a focus on water quality and wildlife issues. She previously worked at the Southern Environmental Law Center where she focused on regional clean water campaigns. Before relocating to the Lowcountry, she earned a B.S. in Ecology, Evolution, and Animal Behavior at the University of Texas at Austin. Outside of work you can find her falling down on rollerblades, brewing kombucha, or at the beach.
Renee Elek
Executive Assistant & Board Liaison
Renee was born and raised in Southern California and recently moved to South Carolina with her husband and two young sons. Renee’s background evolved with the ever-changing economy as she went from obtaining her Associate’s Degree in Computer-Aided Drafting and Design, and working in architectural firms, to working in law firms, to a quality control manufacturing company, to a local municipality. Renee and her husband wanted to move closer to family and have a slower-paced lifestyle, and they love South Carolina. Renee wanted to join the Coastal Conservation League because she loves South Carolina and appreciates the League’s mission. Renee is proud to tell her family where she is employed and looks forward to a long future here with the League. In their free time, Renee and her family enjoy spending quality time together, the outdoors, and exploring. Renee especially enjoys cooking, reading and loves animals.
Emily Geiger
Grants Manager
Raised in Greenville, SC, Emily brings her passion for nature, community, and wellness to her position as Grants Manager. She was drawn to the Conservation League for its multifaceted approach to environmental conservation. In her position, Emily focuses on maintaining and expanding the grant pipeline to support the Conservation League's work. She also collaborates with staff to create grant proposals, renew existing applications, maintain relationships with grant contacts, and report on previously funded programs. She is excited to create a measurable impact in the surrounding communities. Emily graduated from the College of Charleston in 2019 and enjoys spending her free time making music and hanging out with her husband, James, and their three fur babies – Lincoln, Bella, and Lily.
Elizabeth Gibson
Director of Human Resources
Elizabeth comes to the league with a tenured career in human resources in the restaurant and healthcare fields. She has lived in many places (including other countries) but has always loved the beach and is excited to call Charleston her home. She holds 2 bachelor’s degrees from Duquesne University in International Business and Spanish and earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Kansas State University. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family doing any outdoor activity from camping, mountain biking, and hiking to just hanging out at the beach.
Paul Haire
Warehouse Operations Manager
Paul is originally from upstate South Carolina but has called Charleston home since 2001. His deep passion for connecting people and food led him to work in the food and beverage industry and grocery retail for over 20 years before joining the team at GrowFood Carolina. In his spare time, Paul enjoys listening to and playing music, exploring new recipes and restaurants, and spending time with his family.
Alexander Keesler
GrowFood Carolina Sales & Marketing Assistant
Alex joined the GrowFood Carolina team in 2023 as the Sales and Marketing Assistant after graduating college with goals to work in conservation. He quickly resonated with GrowFood's ambition to sustain communities by bringing in local produce and donating to food banks and school programs.
Anna Kimelblatt
Communities & Transportation Program Director
In late 2024, Anna Kimelblatt became the Communities and Transportation Program Director, taking the next step in her conservation career. She moved to the Lowcountry in 2015 after graduating from the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts and became a supporter of the Conservation League soon after, following statewide efforts while she attended graduate school at the College of Charleston. Her favorite thing about working for the Conservation League is feeling like she is having a direct impact on the betterment of her community, using her experience to promote smart development practices and be a voice for conservation.
Suzann Lilienthal
Office Administrator
Suzann Lilienthal brings years of experience in human resources, administration, and accounting to her role at the Coastal Conservation League. She previously served as Human Resources Manager for Muhler Company and has held positions in both the nonprofit and banking sectors. Known for her strong work ethic, Suzann is dedicated to fostering positive workplace cultures and supporting organizational success. Outside of work, she is a passionate gardener and enjoys entertaining with her culinary skills and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Austin Lucas
GrowFood Carolina Program Coordinator
Austin is originally from Hagerstown, Maryland. He attended Johnson & Wales College of Culinary Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina. After a decade in the Outer Banks and working with World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms in Hawaii, he moved to Charleston to further his culinary aspirations.
Chris Maksymowski
Driver & Warehouse Associate
Moving from Grand Rapids, MI, to Mount Pleasant, SC, Chris Maksymowski joins the Conservation League with the goal of contributing to the community in a meaningful way. His passion for sustainability and background of helping others is what drew him here. As a driver/warehouse associate, he is excited to apply his experience in sales, hospitality, and leadership to ensure that locally sourced products reach the community. Over his career, he has worked as a bartender and bar manager in a variety of locations, has launched a hospitality software startup mobile app company, and most recently worked in Executive Sales for Marriott. Chris is always seeking to expand his knowledge and whimsy, helping him find innovative solutions in any role. Outside of work, he likes to stay balanced and connected to the outdoors by running 15-30+ miles per week and preparing for Spartan races, hunting with his dad on his Texas ranch, and fishing.
Jenna Malcolm
GrowFood Carolina Sales & Marketing Account Manager
Jenna moved to Charleston in 2023, but she’s originally from the foothills of North Georgia. She’s passionate about the environment and how local food systems can better support both people and the planet.
Meg Mathis
Public Relations Director
Grant McClure
South Coast Project Manager
Grant McClure is from Charleston, South Carolina. He holds an undergraduate degree from Wofford College in English & Environmental Studies. He received his Master's Degree in Wildlife & Fisheries Resources from Clemson in May 2022. Grant currently resides in Beaufort, SC where he enjoys fly fishing and spending time outside with his family.
Dylan McGuire
Energy & Climate Project Coordinator
Dylan made his move to Charleston in 2023 to pursue his master’s in both environmental and sustainable sciences and public administration. He initially joined the Coastal Conservation League as a graduate intern for the Energy program, where he completed a project that demystified energy bills, assisted in research on data center energy demand, and began working on his thesis, which aims to improve how energy burden — the share of a household's income spent on energy utilities — is measured. Dylan is excited to join the team full time as Energy & Climate Project Coordinator, where he taps into his experience in GIS technology and helps advance all departments with new ways to approach conservation in South Carolina. Dylan is earning a certificate in GIS through the College of Charleston and is set to graduate with two master's degrees in 2026.
Benton Montgomery
Director of GrowFood Carolina
Hailing from Newberry, SC, Benton is a proud USC graduate, veteran of the music industry, WWOOFer in Costa Rica, and the hardest working man in local produce. Benton is committed to supporting local growers and providing high quality products to our customers.
Shawn Parks
Driver & Warehouse Associate
Becky Ryon
North Coast Office Director
Becky grew up on the Gulf Coast of Florida and was fortunate to be surrounded by natural beauty. Unfortunately, like South Carolina, the diverse wildlife and habitats were constantly threatened by unrestrained development. Her childhood in Florida, young adulthood in North Carolina, and previous environmental advocacy work in Richmond with the Virginia League of Conservation Voters have instilled a limitless appreciation for the wild wonders of the Southeast and a desire to preserve them for future generations. Becky is working to build a more resilient South Carolina and to protect our natural resources.
Torrey Sanders
Communities & Transportation Project Manager
Torrey joined the Conservation League after attending law school here in Charleston, where she became involved in local environmental and land use advocacy. She moved here from Washington DC, to engage in more purpose-based work, after five years in the music industry. Her major duties as Communities and Transportation Project Manager include zoning, and urban issues such as bicycle and pedestrian access and other multimodal transit. She is most excited about pushing for common sense zoning reform and better multimodal transit. Torrey brings education from George Washington University where she majored in American Studies, with a focus on Critical Race Theory. After university, she worked the operations for a legacy punk venue, marketing for a venue group, and played in a touring band called BRNDA. In her spare time, she loves to knit and sew, especially using secondhand natural fabrics and yarn. She lives downtown with her husband, daughter, and lazy hound mix.
Joel Sandstrom
Chief Financial Officer
The Coastal Conservation League welcomed Joel Sandstrom to the team as Chief Financial Officer in May of 2024. A graduate of Appalachian State University, Joel brings 20 years of for-profit and nonprofit accounting expertise.
Jill Sonka
Accounts Payable Specialist
It was GrowFood Carolina and its public impact that first drew Jill to the Coastal Conservation League, and now she helps champion local restaurants, farmers, and vendors with their accounting needs. A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Jill moved to the Lowcountry in 2001 and spent 18 years working at a nonprofit in wetland restoration and land conservation. When she’s not crunching numbers, Jill can be spotted relishing the diverse food scene at her favorite restaurants, supporting local businesses, and enjoying the natural beauty of the Lowcountry.
Yarley Steedly
Director of Government Relations
Yarley joined the Coastal Conservation League at the end of 2024. Prior to joining the Conservation League, she worked for the public and nonprofit sectors, where she sharpened her government relations and lobbying skills advocating for issues in the fields of public health, public education, and higher education. She double majored in political science and environmental geography while at the University of South Carolina and obtained her graduate degree from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Although she resides in the Midlands, she is a Summerville native and always looks for an excuse to visit the Lowcountry and smell the salt air.
Deirdre Tanner
GrowFood Carolina Financial Operations Coordinator
Deirdre is originally from Lexington, South Carolina and has lived in the Charleston area since the mid-1990s. She grew up working with local farmers through her family’s grocery business in Pelion and is happy to be able to continue to support local farmers and businesses through GrowFood Carolina.
Anna Ware
GrowFood Carolina Sales & Marketing Director
Anna is a Charleston native who joined GrowFood Carolina in 2021, and recently took on the role of Sales and Marketing Director. As a foodie who wanted to make a positive impact through her career, Anna found the perfect fit at GrowFood in 2021! She works with chefs and restaurants, top accounts in Charleston and Savannah, and with foodhub partners. One of her favorite parts of working at GrowFood is seeing the complete life cycle of food - from warehouse delivery to the restaurant plate!
Becca Watson
Farm Outreach Manager
Becca holds a B.A. in Political Science from Clemson University. After graduation, she returned to her family's farm, Watsonia Farms, to manage its food safety program before accepting a position at GrowFood Carolina. Outside of work, she likes to try new restaurants in town, play tennis and go to the beach.
Mike Worley
Chief Advancement Officer
Mike Worley joined the Coastal Conservation League at the end of 2024. With over 25 years of experience in fundraising and advancement, he has an extraordinary track record of designing collaborative initiatives, implementing giving strategies, and inspiring volunteers and boards to exceed ambitious goals. Mike’s expertise encompasses major gift solicitations, capital campaigns, annual funds, alumni and parent engagement, event planning, and board management. Throughout his impressive career, he has demonstrated an ability to transform fundraising programs, expand donor bases, and secure record-breaking contributions.