The Dogwood Alliance Board of Directors is full of visionary leaders. They hail from diverse backgrounds and experiences. They share a common commitment to the future of Southern forests and communities.

Morgan Alexander

Morgan Alexander is a Masters student at Duke University. She’s studying both Environmental Management and Public Policy. She has a background in atmospheric sciences and geography. She’s adept at policy research, renewable energy strategies, and environmental justice advocacy in the Southern US. Morgan develops climate solutions that center equity and community resilience.

John “The Baker” Beal

John grew up in rural New England, wandering the woods, climbing trees, tracking animals, and spying on copperheads sunning on rocks. In his first activist experiences with the Civil Rights and Peace movements, he saw the destructive forces of poverty and racism while learning there is tremendous power in joining together to take action. People are not powerless to affect major change. He later discovered Dogwood Alliance hosting a booth at a music festival in Atlanta. For many years, John has organized events supporting the work of Dogwood. John is returning to the board, and he’s excited to be working with the “brilliant staff and dynamic board.”

Jacob Blass

Jacob Blass is the president and co-principal of Ethical Advocate, a leading edge ethics and compliance company. Initially a psychologist, he subsequently led four healthcare organizations for 23 years. Jacob specializes in strategy development, management, and executive mentoring. He has worked nationally and internationally with organizations and governments, facilitating processes he developed on the integration of deeply embedded ethical cultures, values, purpose, and goals. Thousands of people have attended his seminars. Jacob has served on numerous boards, including an international hunger-relief organization, a national think-tank devoted to end of life care, and a planning committee for the city of Boulder, CO.

Marvin J. Burns

Dr. Marvin Burns is a higher education professional. He has more than 20 years of experience working in colleges and universities. Marvin grew up around the Tuskegee National Forest. There he learned to appreciate the world of natural resources. He has also worked for the US Forest Services in Oregon and Montana. He understands the impacts of natural resources on people and communities. Marvin has a BS in Environmental Science from Alabama A&M University. He holds a MS in Agricultural Education from the University of Missouri. He earned a PhD in Education and Human Resources Studies from Colorado State University.

Michael Corley

Michael Corley is the Senior Manager of Strategy for the South Carolina Environmental Law Project. Michael has spent most of his career as a public interest environmental lawyer. He protects natural resources and communities across South Carolina. He has been an adjunct professor of environmental law at Furman University. He’s been a board member for Friends of the Reedy River and Trees Upstate. Michael was the Executive Director of Conestee Nature Preserve. He also has a degree in engineering from Clemson University. Michael resides in Greenville, SC.

Aanahita Ervin

Aanahita is a Master of Public Policy student. She received her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. Aanahita merges science with policy to address the climate crisis. She realized the link between climate change, poverty, and criminal justice. She explores systemic issues to better serve marginalized Southern communities. Annahita hopes to work at the local level. She plans to use her skills to support underserved and minoritized populations.

Angela Hallowell

Angela Hallowell is the founder of Rootful Media, a documentary production company. She is the host of the podcasts Honey & Hustle and Creative Architects. She makes documentaries about the outdoors, health equity, social impact, and environmental justice. Her work centers Southern voices. Angela’s interviews explore creative entrepreneurship. She also helps storytellers and entrepreneurs build their audience and impact.

Dr. Allen Hershkowitz

Dr. Allen Hershkowitz is an environmental scientist. He’s a visionary, activist, and writer. He’s a lecturer and sustainability advisor. Allen was a Senior Scientist at NRDC for 26 years. He worked on forestry, plastics, and paper industry impacts. He’s also worked on waste management and industrial ecology. He’s been on scientific committees and advisories for many organizations. Allen promotes environmental literacy to mass audiences and corporate leaders. He lectures throughout the world. He’s spoken at MIT, Yale, Harvard, and Columbia. Allen received the Distinguished Alumni Townsend Harris Medal.

Judy Kinney

Judy is a nonprofit leader and community builder. She has a deep understanding of the challenges elders face. She’s devoted much of her career to advancing the well-being of older adults. This includes promoting the equality, safety, and health of older LGBTQIA+ people. Judy brings a keen business acumen and skillful management of multimillion dollar budgets. She’s increased fiscal resources through fundraising, grants, and donations. She is committed to DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion). Judy has led and participated in anti-racism work.

Dr. Krystal Nichole Martin

Dr. Krystal Martin is a passionate advocate, educator, organizer, and servant leader. She is the founder of KMARTIN Group and cofounder of the Greater Greener Gloster Project. Krystal promotes environmental justice, clean air, and a better quality of life for those impacted by the wood pellet industry. Krystal is a three-time graduate of Jackson State University. She has a life membership with the JSUNAA. She also has a diamond life membership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is the daughter of Jane Martin. She is the mother of two amazing sons and the grandmother of three gifted granddaughters. Krystal is a native of Gloster, Mississippi.

Rebekah Miel

Rebekah Miel is the founder of Miel Creative, a design and communications studio. Her clients span the ecosystem of ESG. From soil health to community outreach and food systems policy to affordable housing. She has spent 20 years fundraising for nonprofits, movements, and disaster relief. Rebekah enjoys putting together puzzles. She loves hiking through the Smoky Mountains with her partner and 11-year-old twins. Her tattered copy of “50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth” sits on her office bookshelf. It’s a reminder of the teenager who started out on this path, trying to make sense of our changing planet.

Jonathan Phillips

Jonathan is the Director of the James E. Rogers Energy Access Project at Duke University, with an appointment at Duke’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment, & Sustainability. His work focuses on policy, regulatory, and economic issues related to rural electrification, grid de-carbonization, off-grid energy systems, and energy for productivity, especially in the Global South. He’s held a variety of roles in US Congress, including the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming as well as the House Natural Resources Committee. Jonathan volunteered with the Peace Corps in Mongolia. He received a bachelor’s degree from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Abigail Rome

Abi is a conservationist and environmental advocate who worked in the Eastern US and Latin America to establish and manage nature reserves, fight climate change, support healthy communities, and raise awareness about assaults on the environment. She founded an ecotourism business, consulting on projects and programs throughout the world and offering ecotours to sites in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. She serves on the Boards of American Rivers and As You Sow. She is active in funder networks addressing climate change and environmental protection. Abi is also a climate activist and proponent of racial justice, helping to overcome bias within environmental organizations. Abi loves bicycling, hiking, paddling, and pickleball!

Damie A. Sesay

Damie Sesay is an experienced attorney dedicated to serving her community. She serves as Assistant General Counsel at the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. Her vast legal experience has led to several speaking engagements and publications. Damie is passionate about Dogwood’s mission. She has a BA in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma. Her law degree is from American University Washington College of Law. Damie received the Pro Bono Honors Pledge Award for her community service. She is proudest of this honor.

Loretta A. Slater

Loretta is the Executive Director of The Whitney M. Slater Foundation, which she and her mother founded in 2012 in memory of her daughter. Inspired by Whitney’s dream of providing better educational opportunities for African American women especially around health, the foundation educates frontline communities and communities of color on environmental health issues, supports early detection of cancer, and encourages second medical opinions. Loretta also works closely with Reverend Leo Woodberry on multiple initiatives, is an active member of Southeast Climate & Energy Network, and was a key organizer of the Justice First Tour, a solidarity movement for justice issues that convened in more than 27 cities and 12 states throughout the Southeast US.

Erica D. Smith

Erica D. Smith is a mechanical engineer. She has extensive leadership experience in academics and public service. She represented North Carolina’s Senate District 3 from 2014-2020. District 3 is comprised of 8 rural counties in Eastern NC. Now Erica serves humanity as a public school educator. There, she’s inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders. Erica is an unwavering champion for the environment. She advocates for taking bold climate action.

Jermaine L. Smith

Jermaine Smith is a Certified Fundraising Executive. He’s a fundraising professional with over 20 years of experience. He is the Vice President of Revenue at FoodCorps. FoodCorps focuses on social justice for children through the joy and power of food. Jermaine has s a mayoral appointment to the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans. The institute conserves endangered species, habitats, and nature. Jermaine’s childhood trips to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Okefenokee Swamp shaped him. Jermaine is now a trail runner and nature lover. He has a BA in Public Relations from Tulane University. Jermaine also has an MBA from the Questrom School of Business at Boston University.

Amanda Starbuck

Amanda has extensive experience in campaigning, network building, and organizational change. She is the former program director for Greenpeace in South America. There Amanda set the strategic direction and priority campaigns across the region. She also led the global finance team at Rainforest Action Network. There she pressured the largest US and European banks to address their role in the climate crisis. She challenged them to reduce their financing of destructive fossil fuel extraction. She holds a MA in Environmental Policy and has lectured at Yale, Berkeley, and Leeds Universities. Now she works with the Sunrise Project.

Reverend Leo Woodberry

Reverend Leo Woodberry has been community organizing since he was 14 years old. He’s the Executive Director of New Alpha Community Development Corporation. Leo supports research on clean energy projects in South Carolina. He created programs for the International Climate Action Network. He worked on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Leo has organized a training for Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project. He’s a co-founder of The Southeast Environmental Justice Network. He co-drafted the Environmental Justice State Guidance Document. He’s been on many boards and committees. Among them are Agricultural Missions, GreenFaith, and the National Wildlife Federation. Leo has managed five African American churches.