James River Association Staff

James Abbott

 Lower James Senior Environmental Educator
Contact: jabbott@thejamesriver.org

I’m James Abbott and growing up in the Tidewater of Virginia, the James River was an incredible natural backdrop to grow up with. Many of my first outdoor experiences and actives were in the marshes along its banks or on the trails in its western mountains. I left for the University of North Carolina at Wilmington were I earned a BS in Biology and Environmental Science becoming a researcher and conservation biologist. I went on to protect and study the habitats of southeastern river systems through the research of birds. This culminated in graduate school at UNC Wilmington studying the food webs of the upper Bladen River in Belize. All of these research projects taught me that science doesn’t elicit change without dedicated education. My MS in Environmental Science concentrated in education. I joined the JRA team in Williamsburg in 2017 and I work to conserve America’s Founding River by fostering an understand and care for the natural world in students across the Lower James Watershed. I’m a James Changer!

Maya Anderson

 Lower James Environmental Educator
Contact: manderson@thejamesriver.org

I’m Maya Anderson, I’m from Southern Louisiana and the rivers and lake where I grew up built a lifelong love of the outdoors and the water. My first outdoor experiences happened on and along the Tchefuncte River and in Lake Pontchartrain – tubing, swimming, and fishing. I left Louisiana to pursue a degree in Environmental Studies B.S., with a minor in Environmental Education. I went on to work at Outdoor and Environmental Education organizations in Texas and on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. I joined JRA in Williamsburg in early 2022 to educate students across the watershed about issues facing the James River and to facilitate new outdoor experiences.I’m a James Changer!

Rachel Bensink

Consortium Coordinator
Email: rbensink@thejamesriver.org

Born and raised in Virginia Beach, and going on to spend time in both Richmond and Harrisonburg for college, I began to deeply appreciate the vast diversity of our Virginia landscapes and connect more with our river ecosystems. I know how much peace, inspiration, and joy I have received from connecting with our natural world, and care deeply about making sure everyone has opportunities to enjoy and contribute to her health. One of my favorite projects through my graduate program was leading the partnership between the outdoor programs and civic engagement offices to host a camping trip to a local farm – participants were able to learn more about the farmers’ work in our community, volunteer, and experience a low-risk camping and outdoor environment to learn basics about equipment, safety, and leave no trace. My passion for facilitating collaborative experiences has been a cornerstone of my work across higher education leadership, scholarship, and outdoor programs as well as diversity and inclusion education efforts. My background in sociology, love for the river, and deep passion for relationship-building have brought me here and I am so excited and honored to be on board to support the Consortium. I’m a James Changer! I’m a James Changer!

Joseph Blanton

Donor Relations and Stewardship Specialist
Email: jblanton@thejamesriver.org; Phone: 804.215.6140

I grew up in Bumpass, Virginia, and come from a mixed indigenous(Lakota) and white household. Being raised in rural Virginia by my parents and grandparents both, I was instilled with a strong connection to the natural world around me and how we are all a part of the same whole. The importance of justice and giving back was also a pillar of my upbringing, which has led me to pursue a career in Nonprofit. Throughout my 13 year career, I’ve had the privilege of serving in several types of causes, including voter engagement, animal welfare, and housing. I’m excited to be a part of a team that is telling the story of the James and help to build and enrich our connection to it, and one another. Since starting with JRA, I’ve learned how to kayak, about invasive species, the importance of mussels, and everyday I am learning so much more! I’m a James Changer!

Lucy Deignan

Coastal Restoration Coordinator
Email: ldeignan@thejamesriver.org

My name is Lucy Deignan and I am the Coastal Restoration Coordinator for JRA. I grew up in Richmond, VA, with the James River as the center of much of my freetime. Some of my earliest memories are of going on walks with my Dad and our yellow lab along the trails of Pony Pasture, mostly in the middle of winter, with an obligatory hot chocolate break. Since then I have enjoyed kayaking and canoeing down the river, as well as discovering more trails, mountain biking and walking. My love for the outdoors began not only on the James but also on the Chesapeake Bay, where I’ve spent countless hours on the water with family and friends. This experience, both on the James and the Bay, not only deepened my appreciation for the water and the environment but also revealed the many ways in which we need to protect it. I took my passion to help our environment, to the University of Virginia where I studied Biology and Environmental Science, focusing on conservation. I am now thrilled to be in a position where I can work towards restoring the shorelines of coastal communities in the James Watershed, and make a meaningful impact on my community. I’m a James Changer!

Teresa Cole

Director of Education
Email: tcole@thejamesriver.org

In the heart of Henrico County, my childhood was spent among trees, biking on trails, splashing in creeks, and building forts that became secret sanctuaries. After earning degrees in African American Studies, Women’s Studies, and English from VCU, I became a middle school teacher, guiding students through English and U.S. History. My journey continued with a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction and a Post-Master’s in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Richmond, where I grew as a leader, eventually serving as a K-12 Curriculum Specialist and middle school assistant principal. It was through outdoor recreation—whitewater paddle boarding, kayaking, and rafting—that I discovered the beauty and power of the James River, reigniting my childhood thirst for adventure. Each stroke connected me with my children, friends, and nature. Exploring rivers nationwide deepened my commitment to protecting our waterways, starting with my home river. In 2022, I founded an all-volunteer nonprofit focused on preserving a historic community park fed by natural springs flowing into the James. I also volunteer with the James River Women to promote female and femme-identifying inclusion in whitewater paddling. When not paddling, my family and I travel the world to ski, hike, and connect with nature. With education and environmental stewardship intertwined, I aim to inspire others to cherish and advocate for the river, safeguarding its legacy for future generations. I’m a James Changer!

Amber Ellis

Restoration Director
Email: aellis@thejamesriver.org; Phone: 804.788.8811, ext 120

I’m Amber Ellis and I grew up in Powhatan County, Virginia with the woods, creeks, and James River as my playground. Throughout my life the James has continued to bring me joy, healing, and inspiration. Outside is where I feel most at home and is why I have grown a passion for protecting it. Building diverse partnerships to restore streamside forests and tidal shorelines is at the heart of my work across the James River watershed. I serve as the convener for the Upper and Middle James Riparian Consortium and manage the James River Buffer Program. My strengths in relationship building, finding community based solutions to watershed wide challenges, and my love of the flora and fauna of the James watershed guide my work. I earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Virginia Tech, where I learned how to create landscapes that enrich both our human and natural communities. I am a Professional Landscape Architect in Virginia, a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional, and have a certificate in Ecotherapy through the EarthBody Institute. I am grateful that I get to lead Watershed Restoration efforts across the James River watershed and connect people to each other and the James through volunteering and James River Rx gatherings. I’m a James Changer!

Korey Gardner

Database Manager
Email: kgardner@thejamesriver.org

I’m Korey Gardner, born and raised in Abingdon, Virginia within the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. From walking or biking the Virginia Creeper Trail, to kayaking the South Holston River, to hiking the Channels; I have so many fond outdoor memories there. I graduated from Christopher Newport University and spent a lot of time visiting the College of William & Mary, where my now husband and I enjoyed the lower James often. We moved to Richmond in 2017 and now live in the Church Hill neighborhood with our two young kids. My favorite weekend activity is supporting a local business by grabbing coffee or breakfast to picnic at Libby Hill, overlooking the Richmond skyline and James River. I have always appreciated the importance of nature and philanthropy, so I’m honored to marry that in my career as I join the passionate JRA staff. I’m a James Changer!

Emma Harrison

Environmental Educator
Email: eharrison@thejamesriver.org

Hi everyone! My name is Emma Harrison and I grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I discovered my connection to and passion for the environment in a course with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). During this course, I learned how grounded experiences with the environment can inspire learning and advocacy for myself and others. After the program, I was driven to foster meaningful connections between communities and their local environments and link this experience to issues relevant in our home landscape. I pursued a degree in Environment Science and Sustainability Studies from the University of Virginia and moved to Richmond shortly after graduating. I joined the James River Association in August 2022 to educate students across the watershed. I firmly believe that personal connections with the river inspire a genuine desire to protect it. I’m excited to be facilitating these connections through our education programs on Presquile National Wildlife Refuge. I’m a James Changer!

Ashleigh Moody

Vice President of Development
Contact: amoody@thejamesriver.org

The James River has always been a part of my life.  I grew up in the Tri-Cities, where my grandparents operated a fish market that was ultimately closed due to Kepone, the pesticide that contaminated the river in the 1970’s.  As a child, who loved trips to the James, this was my first exposure to the devastating consequences of an unprotected river.  As an adult, I enjoy canoeing, kayaking, camping, hiking, and spending time on the river with my foxhound, Daphne, who has come to love the river as well.

I have worked in development of more than 20 years in Central Virginia; serving as the Director of Development for Prevent Blindness Virginia (now Conexus), Salvation Army, Alzheimer’s Association, and most recently, Friends of Barnabas, an international Non-Governmental Organization providing health care programs and services in Honduras.  I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and spent a great deal of time on the river as a college student.  In 2008, I received a Certified Fund-Raising Executive designation (CFRE) and have served on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Association of Fund-Raising Executives and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

It is an honor to work with our amazing team at JRA, and our supporters, to protect our beloved river for future generations to cherish and enjoy as much as I do.   I’m a James Changer!

Shawn Ralston

VP of Programs
Email: sralston@thejamesriver.org; Phone: 804.788.8811, ext 103

I’m Shawn Ralston and I grew up in both the piedmont and coast of North Carolina. As a child, I lived on the banks of a lake that provided drinking water for our town, and from there became interested at a very young age with how my daily actions affected the water that my family depended on. During my childhood and into college, I was an avid swimmer who spent hours a day immersed in water. After graduating from UNC-Wilmington, I worked for the Department of Environmental Protection in Charlotte, NC conducting water quality monitoring on streams, lakes and rivers. From there, I returned to school and received my Master of Marine Affairs and Juris Doctor from the University of Rhode Island and Roger Williams School of Law respectively. After spending 8 years in Wilmington, NC leading environmental programs and managing planning for New Hanover County, I relocated to Richmond. My hope is that my children are able to experience and interact with the James as so many others have for generations. I’m a James Changer!

Anne Marie Roberts

Senior Restoration Field Manager
Email: amroberts@thejamesriver.org; Phone: 434.286.7000

I grew up in Michigan surrounded by the Great Lakes and swimming in them as a child began my love of water. I have called Virginia home since 2003 when I graduated from Sweet Briar College with a degree in Environmental Science. Prior to joining JRA I worked for the Robert E. Lee Soil & Water Conservation District coordinating the Amherst Watershed Protection Program since 2004. I developed and managed the Amherst Tree Buffer Program for over 10 years, earning the Chesapeake Bay’s Forest Champion Award in 2016. I enjoy connecting with a wide range of landowners across the Middle James River Watershed and assisting them with improving their land and water, mainly through the installation of forested riparian buffers. I assist landowners with finding natural resource protection solutions and encourage stewardship of their land. I’m a James Changer!

Matt Scott

Senior Education Manager
Email: mscott@thejamesriver.org

As the child of a Navy officer, I grew up traveling the world. My perspective on outdoor experiences changed with a school hiking expedition to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro in 9^th grade. Since then, I take every chance I get to be outdoors, exploring our world! My early outdoor experience led me to rowing on high school, college, and local teams on the James River and its tributaries. I studied Geology at the College of William and Mary to learn even more about this amazing planet. I love living in Richmond, where I can be in an urban wilderness on the river in just a 5-minute walk from my house. To share my love of the outdoors, I earned a Master of Arts in Secondary Education and taught Earth Science and Oceanography at Freeman High School for 7 years. Armed with cameras, drones, and field sampling tools, I brought pieces of my field expeditions back to my classroom! Using innovative educational technologies like GIS and Augmented Reality, I recreated my trips as in-classroom experiences. Now with the James River Association, I can take education back outside and encourage young people to explore their environments like I did in school. I’m a James Changer.

Heather Sherwin

Philanthropy Officer 
Email: hsherwin@thejamesriver.org

As a native Clevelander, I grew up knowing our city was the brunt of jokes about the famed “burning river” Cuyahoga which winds through downtown Cleveland. The river’s tragedy sparked clean-up efforts, re-development of downtown and motivated a generation of Clevelanders to see the river in a new way. My childhood was spent literally on the banks of another Northeast Ohio river called the Chagrin River. I knew every bend, plant, rock, and animal in the section of river adjacent to our property. We fished, hiked, swam, and explored all while our elders passed on the importance of good land stewardship. Later in life, I lived the 100-year flood of the Saluda, Broad and Congaree Rivers in Columbia, SC. In my role at the regional Community Foundation, I galvanized the philanthropic community to aid with the region’s recovery from the devastation. Rivers have played a central part in my life, which is why I am excited by the opportunity to serve The James River Association as Philanthropy Officer. I’m a James Changer

Nathan Thomson

Lead Policy Advocate
Email: nthomson@thejamesriver.org

I’m Nathan Thomson and I grew up in Short Pump, Henrico County. Throughout my childhood I attended Westview on the James Summer Camp in Goochland and I spent time on the Rappahannock River with my family. Following high school, I enrolled at Radford University in Southwest Virginia where my love for the outdoors bloomed. Through the Highlander community, I was introduced to fly fishing and hunting, and during the summers I had the opportunity to give back at Westview as a counselor. A turning point came for me when I had the opportunity to complete an AmeriCorps internship in the Salmon-Challis National Forest in breathtaking Lemhi County Idaho. This 6-month experience which featured trail work, salmon spawning surveys, historic restoration, and a plethora of other projects set me in motion toward a career in conservation.

After returning from Idaho I was fortunate enough to attend (and against all odds) graduate from the Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies at Appalachian State in Boone, NC. There, I I received an MA in Political Science with a focus on Environmental Policy. In addition to my initial Idaho experience, I completed additional internships with the Bureau of Land Management on the Iditarod National Historic Trail and with the Forest Service in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.

Post academia, I lived briefly in Charlotte NC before returning to Richmond, where I have pursued Government Relations work with a local healthcare non-profit and communications and policy with a Washington DC based conservation organization. When I’m not advocating on behalf of the James River, I enjoy fishing for trout, bass, and catfish, hunting for all manner of game, cycling, and spending time with my fiancé Kirsten and our Australian Shepherd Maple. If I could vacation anywhere I would go to Patagonia, and if I had one final meal it would be pizza from 8 ½.  I’m a James Changer!

Ryan Walsh

Senior Coastal Restoration Manager
Email: rwalsh@thejamesriver.org; Phone: 757.703.0671

I’m Ryan Walsh and I grew up in Southern Pines, North Carolina. I’ve spent much of my life exploring the outdoors, and have long been passionate about vital riverine and marine habitats. I cultivated my enthusiasm by exploring barrier islands and salt marshes, becoming intimately familiar with the plants and animals that call them home. I went to school in Wilmington, North Carolina, earning a BS in Marine Biology from UNC Wilmington and an AAS in Marine Technology from Cape Fear Community College. Since coming to Virginia, I have simply fallen in love with the James River, and want to see it returned to a healthy natural state, and am thrilled about the Great Return of breeding Atlantic sturgeon. To this end, I work to conserve tidewater habitats by actively fighting sea level rise and protecting the tidal communities of the Lower James. I’m a James Changer.I’m a James Changer.