Our Team

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.

Tonia Lovejoy

Tonia Lovejoy

Executive Director
tlovejoy@friendsvinp.org
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!
Mark

Mark Gestwicki

Program Director
mgestwicki@friendsvinp.org
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.
stephanie george

Stephanie George

Finance Director
sgeorge@friendsvinp.org
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! 
paula

Paula Smail

Outreach Director
psmail@friendsvinp.org
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 volunteering for the turtle team.
jennifer

Jennifer Stone

Membership & Events Coordinator
jstone@friendsvinp.org
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. 
taylor

Taylor White

Program Manager
twhite@friendsvinp.org

Taylor started as a volunteer and now coordinates Friends youth programming including the School Kids In The Park (SKIP) program and more. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Coastal Carolina University and enjoys hiking, volleyball and playing the ukulele!

willow

Willow Melamet

Sea Turtle Program Coordinator
wmelamet@friendsvinp.org
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!
Frank - trails coordinator

Frank Olivieri-Barton

Trails Coordinator
trails@friendsvinp.org
Frank spent six years building and maintaining trails in Colorado before coming to St John for a new adventure with the Friends. He’s excited to continue to work and conserve beautiful places. He enjoys spending as much time outside as possible!
tara murza_cropped

Tara Murza

Learn To Swim Program Coordinator
tmurza@friendsvinp.org
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. 
Kaitlyn Cummings

Kaitlyn Cummings

Education Specialist
kcummings@friendsvinp.org
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. 
Kelley O'Brien

Kelley O'Brien

Store Manager
kobrien@friendsvinp.org

Kelley was raised on the move as a military brat and grew up in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. She has a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University and spent two decades in management in the transportation industry before making a switch to retail. Kelley enjoys reading, watching movies, hiking, and anything on the water!

Chela Thomas

Chela Thomas

Executive Assistant
cthomas@friendsvinp.org
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 Executive Assistant keeping wheels turning behind the scenes. 

Educators, Demonstrators & Guides

Ital Anthony

Ital Delroy Anthony

Cultural Ambassador | Music & Native Plant Demonstrator
olivia

Olivia Christian

Traditional Bread Making & Baking Demonstrator
Charles / gardener

Charles Jackson

Island Gardening Demonstrator
enzo newhard

Enzo Newhard

Fishing Educator