Hello! Nice to meet you! Our amazing team of full-time, part-time, and contracted members is responsible for a range of natural and cultural resource protection and education programs including sea turtles, coral, native plants, trails maintenance, volunteer management, School Kids In The Park, Learn To Swim, as well as fundraising and event management. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our work.
Tonia Lovejoy
Executive Director
Tonia is dedicated to growing Friends’ endeavors and fostering the next generation of conservationists. She joined the Friends in 2016 bringing with her a wealth of experience in nonprofit business development. A keen sailor, Tonia can still be found on the water whenever possible!
Ki'Janne' Alfred
Development Officer
Ki’Janne’ brings passion and creativity to her role, nurturing relationships with donors and partners to strengthen support for conservation and education. Born and raised in the Virgin Islands, she is committed to ensuring the community’s voices and stories are part of the Park’s future. She enjoys traditional folklore, spending time at the beach with family, and trail adventures with friends.
Kaitlyn Cummings
Education & Outreach Program Manager
Born and raised on St. John, Kaitlyn has a Bachelor of Communication Studies from Florida Gulf Coast University. She is passionate about ecological concerns and eco-education and has worked for a number of environmental nonprofits on community projects, communications and education.
Stephanie George
Finance Director
Stephanie has over 20 years of experience in major grant management and private, state & federal funding. She lives on St. Thomas with her family and loves gardening, cooking, sewing and conservation!
Mark Gestwicki
Program Director
Mark is a former Peace Corps volunteer and has worked on the trails of Maine for the Appalachian Mountain Club. He heads all of Friends programs to protect and preserve the natural and cultural resources in the Park. He is known for his volleyball skills and passion for travel.
Willow Melamet
Sea Turtle Program Coordinator
Willow has over a decade of turtle experience with nesting, research and rehabilitation. Prior to moving to St. John, she was the Sea Turtle Care Center Manager at the South Carolina Aquarium. She enjoys sailing, snorkeling, and underwater photography!
Tara Murza
Learn To Swim Program Coordinator
Tara grew up competitively swimming and avidly snorkeling in Florida. As a child she visited St. John frequently and loves teaching swimming skills and sharing her passion for the ocean.
Paula Smail
Communications Director
Paula draws on extensive communications, design and business experience to tell stories. Born and raised in South Africa, she has traveled and lived all over the world and happily spends hours hiking and gazing at the ocean.
Jennifer Stone
Membership & Events Manager
Jennifer and her husband moved to St. John from Maine in search of a warmer climate and a sense of community. She happily applies years of experience in event planning, hospitality, and customer service, to making sure Friends events run smoothly.
Chela Thomas
Finance Assistant
St. John is definitely home sweet home for Chela. Being raised here meant that being outside and in the National Park was part of life and her work as an archeology intern for the Park was her introduction to the Friends. Fast forward a decade and now she serves as the Finance Assistant keeping wheels turning behind the scenes.
Lila Uzzell
Trails Program Manager
For Lila, the ocean is her teacher and hiking is her meditation. She has a background in plant conservation and M.S. in Marine Science from the University of the Virgin Islands. When Lila’s not on the trails, you can find her diving, adventuring, crafting, or spending time with friends and family.
Noel Wright
Learn To Swim Program Coordinator
After dreaming of island life for years, Noël made St. John her home five years ago. She brings experience in people management, event planning, fundraising, and marketing, along with a passion for connecting people to the outdoors. Noël loves helping children gain confidence in the water while fostering a lifelong appreciation for the ocean. Outside of work, you'll find her snorkeling, paddleboarding, hiking the island's trails, or enjoying time with family and friends.
Park Store & Visitor Education
Ameir Sprauve
Store Manager
Ameir enjoys sharing his knowledge with visitors in the Park Store in the Visitor Center. Born on St. Thomas and raised on St John, Ameir's introduction to Friends was as a member of the Summer Trail Crew where he discovered an interest in natural resource protection.
Educators, Demonstrators & Guides
Ital Delroy Anthony
Cultural Ambassador | Music, Crafts & Native Plant Demonstrator
Olivia Christian
Traditional Bread Making & Baking Demonstrator
Charles Jackson
Island Gardening Demonstrator
Laurel Brannick
Birds Educator
Jeff Miller
Coral and Marine Life Educator
Enzo Newhard
Fishing Educator