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.
Lily Abromeit
Director of Communications & Public Relations
Having spent her life as a born and bred Midwesterner, Lily grew up learning about and caring for the Plains. Now as a Charleston resident she is excited to play a role in protecting the Lowcountry’s habitat and varied ecosystems. Lily has focused her career on communicating about important issues, focusing on highlighting solutions. She finds it most rewarding to share stories of climate solutions with the general public, inspiring action. Prior to joining the Conservation League, Lily worked for Playa Lakes Joint Venture, focused on habitat conservation and water management in the Great Plains. She also spent time at an international women’s nonprofit, and has worked as a reporter.
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.
Kennedy Bennett
Energy & Climate Project Manager
Kennedy joined the Conservation League following her previous role as Associate Consultant at Bain & Company. As our Energy & Climate Project Manager, she works to advance initiatives and policies that promote a clean energy future, from enhancing residential energy efficiency to supporting responsible clean energy projects. She is most excited to connect with SC residents and contribute to the organization’s important work that protects the marshes, beaches, and coastal landscapes she has cherished as a Mount Pleasant native. Kennedy holds a BA in History from Yale University and curated the “Sewn through Time: Sweetgrass Basketmakers Reimagine a Tradition” exhibition at the University of South Carolina’s McKissick Museum, focusing on the cultural heritage, history, and innovation of sweetgrass basketry.
Emma Berry
Communities & Transportation Project Manager
Emma has considered the Lowcountry home since 2014, and plays an active role in ensuring that it is preserved for the next generation through her role as Communities and Transportation Project Manager, coming to the Coastal Conservation League in the summer of 2023. She builds relationships with stakeholders and communities, and works on projects to protect their character, history, and cultural identities, all vital elements to our coastal environment.
Brooke Blosser
Land, Water & Wildlife Project Manager
When Brooke came to the Lowcountry in 2018 for graduate school, she was introduced to the Coastal Conservation League through local efforts to renourish Crab Bank, and was quickly drawn to the organization's mission. Brooke joined as the Land, Water, and Wildlife Project Manager in fall of 2023, coordinating with partners and representatives locally and statewide on outreach and communications. In her role, she enjoys connecting with community members and residents to exchange knowledge in support of conservation issues.
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.
Amy Carter
Development Director
Amy was born and raised in the Lowcountry and holds degrees in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston and a Masters in Environmental Management from the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. She previously worked as Chief Advancement Officer for Lowcountry Land Trust and Director of Development and Marketing for Charleston Parks Conservancy. She also spent several years in Washington, D.C. at the National Ocean Service and in Santa Cruz, California managing conservation, philanthropy, and marketing programs for the Planning and Conservation League Foundation and Island Conservation. A native of Colleton County, South Carolina, Amy grew up exploring the fields, forests, marshes, and beaches of the South Carolina Lowcountry and developing a love for its wild landscapes, plants, and animals.
Emily Cedzo
Director of Conservation Programs & Policy
Emily joined the Coastal Conservation League in 2016. She's a North Carolina native with a Master of Environmental Management and certificate in Community-Based Environmental Management from Duke University's Nicholas School. Emily began her career with the Conservation League by starting as a project manager and eventually directing the Land, Water & Wildlife program for a number of years. In her current role, she enjoys working with all of the conservation programs and field offices that make up her team. While this position means she wears a lot of hats now, her favorite area of work remains beachfront management and working to protect South Carolina's coastline.
Patricia Dunmeyer
Office Administrator
Patricia joins the Conservation League with a few decades of experience in the administrative field, as well as human relations and accounting experience. She has an educational background in Business Administration as well as a Christian Counseling degree. Patricia applied for her position as Office Administrator after she was impressed by the Conservation League’s positive mission and goals. Her primary role is managing the front office, which also includes working closely with the Accounting and Human Resources departments and a multitude of other responsibilities. In her personal life, she spends time with her husband, children, and a large number of grandchildren who keep her laughing. She enjoys writing, going on vacation, and relaxing at the beach.
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.
Trapper Fowler
North Coast Office Deputy Director
Trapper is a Horry County native. He holds a B.S. in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology from Colorado State University as well as an M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from Clemson University. Working as a field biologist instilled a great appreciation for the less charismatic species such as reptiles, amphibians, and carnivorous plants, as well as the management tools used to maintain their habitat like prescribed fire. Trapper hopes to use his field-based knowledge to make positive change in the North Coast. He loves spending time with his family including his dogs, collecting vinyl records, grilling out, paddling, and camping.
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.
Rachel Hawes
Coastal Stewardship & Engagement Manager
Rachel is a Charleston native with her B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology from the University of Georgia and her M.S. in Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston. After spending some time overseas, Rachel came home and put to work her passion for conserving South Carolina’s marine resources. Prior to joining the Conservation League, Rachel worked for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources as well as for The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina. When away from work, Rachel enjoys traveling, surfing, fishing, camping, and hiking.
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.
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.
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.
Amy Meola
Annual Giving Manager
Amy is a Jersey Shore native with a B.A. in Print and Video Communications and minor in Art from Arcadia University. After gaining experience in journalism and social media/website management, she relocated to Charleston to join AmeriCorps and fell in love with the Lowcountry. She came to the Conservation League in 2021 and enjoys traveling, eating local food, and spending time in nature with her soon-to-be husband and her dog, Poppy.
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.
Tyquan Morton
Member Database Administrator
Tyquan joins the Conservation League for his desire to learn and contribute to the conservation efforts in the Lowcountry, and his hometown. As Member Database Administrator, he oversees the management and integrity of the member database, ensuring accurate record-keeping, supporting outreach efforts, and providing data analysis to enhance member engagement and support the League’s initiatives. He is excited to support capacity building, amplifying our conservation efforts through meaningful insights and community connections. He is a Teach for America alumnus, where he taught high school education, and has worked as project manager in healthcare, arts, and culture. He holds a B.S. in Sociology from the College of Charleston and an M.Ed. in Leadership and Organizational Performance from Vanderbilt University. In his free time, he is a poet and filmmaker with a focus on Gullah Geechee traditions, particularly the impact that climate change has on cultural preservation and sustainability.
Emmi Palenbaum
Communications Manager
Growing up in upstate South Carolina, Emmi found inspiration early on from nature and has used that to drive her career. After receiving dual bachelor's degrees in English and Strategic Communications from High Point University, Emmi moved to Charleston in 2020 to pursue her M.S. in Environmental and Sustainability Studies at the College of Charleston. With a focus on coastal resilience, science communication, and policy, Emmi entered a career of storytelling and engagement that led her to the Coastal Conservation League in 2023.
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.
Rebekah Spaid
Farm Outreach Coordinator
Rebekah is a recent transplant from the mountains of West Virginia to the lowcountry of Charleston. In her role as Farm Outreach Coordinator, she brings a wealth of agricultural expertise and a passion for fostering sustainable practices in farming communities. Her roots in agriculture were sown on her grandfather’s farm, cultivating a lifelong commitment to the industry.
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.
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.
Jessie White
South Coast Office Director
Jessie joined us in March 2020 after seven years with the South Carolina Environmental Law Project. She grew up in Charlottesville, VA and attended the University of Virginia, where she obtained bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Thought and Practice and Psychology before pursuing her J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She enjoys cooking, traveling, kayaking, spending time with her dog, and enjoying the great outdoors.
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!