Team Staff

A native of Tuscaloosa, William began his career in the field of environmental engineering before moving into the faith-based non-profit sector.

William graduated from the University of Alabama where he earned a BS in Civil Engineering with a focus on water issues. He played football under Nick Saban at Alabama, winning two national championships during his time there. He also received a Master of the Arts in Missional Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary.

William’s love for nature and an understanding of humans’ place in it were instilled in him from an early age by his late grandfather, Bill, a conservationist and outdoorsman. He hopes to pass that love on to his three young children. He brings to the organization a passion for process and excellence gained during his time under Saban at Alabama.

Cassie grew up in the Phenix City, Alabama/Columbus, Georgia area. Despite being fairly landlocked, she always harbored a passion for estuarine, coastal, and marine science. At LaGrange College, she earned a B.S. in Biology with minors in Servant Leadership and Sustainability, and recently completed a M.S. degree in Marine Conservation and Resource Management at the University of South Alabama. After graduating, she worked as a Lab Manager/Technician at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, where she processed Arctic cruise samples of phytoplankton communities.

As the Staff Scientist at Mobile Baykeeper, Cassie collaborates with stakeholders in our community to incorporate diverse technical expertise to inform the work we do. She also stays up-to-date on research and findings that guide our programmatic decision making towards successful outcomes.

Cassie is passionate about making scientific information both tangible and accessible to communities who are directly impacted by environmental concerns and inspiring them to become engaged in making our watershed a healthy and sustainable resource. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, traveling when she can, scuba diving or fishing, and baking for friends!

Meet Cade Kistler. Cade grew up on Guntersville Lake in North Alabama. After earning his B.S. from Auburn University, he took a position with the U.S. Forest Service as a wilderness restoration intern in Washington state. However, sweet home Alabama called, and Cade returned to work on his M.S. at Auburn University.

After getting married, he followed his wife to her home in Baldwin County and has been exploring the treasures of the Gulf Coast since. In his spare time, Cade likes to kayak and bike with his wife and snow-ski whenever he can. Cade is thrilled to have the opportunity to work for the citizens of the Alabama Gulf Coast and preserve the environment of this majestic area.

As the Baykeeper, Cade leads efforts to defend and revive the waters of Coastal Alabama by driving long-term environmental projects, enforcing accountability, and moving decision-makers toward action. He searches out and solves pollution problems firsthand—using a boat, kayak, drone, or on foot—to ensure measurable improvements in water quality, all with the ultimate goal of achieving a future where fish are safe to eat, waters are safe to swim, seagrasses and oyster reefs thrive, and our community takes responsibility for protecting these vital resources.

Shalela Dowdy is a native of Mobile, Alabama. She graduated from Murphy High School in 2008 and continued her studies at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she graduated in 2012 with a B.S. in American Legal Studies (pre-law). She holds a  M.A in Leadership Studies and is currently pursuing her Juris Doctorate at Southern University Law Center.

Shalela served six years on active duty as an Air Defense Artillery Officer and currently holds the rank of Major in the Army Reserves as a Military Academy Liaison Officer. Shalela is very active in the City of Mobile. She is the 2nd Vice President of the Mobile Branch of the NAACP, and the Founding President of Stand Up Mobile, a non-partisan voter education and advocacy organization.

As a Community Organizer at Mobile BayKeeper, Shalela brings her background of developing and implementing strategies to engage and empower communities through outreach and education, creating and managing projects that promote community building, and building partnerships with other organizations.

A Mobile native, Caine is the former editor in chief of American Songwriter magazine. Prior to music journalism he covered Virginia politics and the financial services industry for various publications. Caine holds a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia and an M.A. in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University. In his free time, he enjoys kayak fishing in the Delta and rocking out with his band Bearhead.

As Communications Director, Caine reports to Baykeeper’s community of members and volunteers – as well as the public at large – on issues critical to the health of the Mobile Bay Watershed. He is the editor of Baykeeper’s quarterly print magazine, CURRENTS.

Born in Birmingham, Cece has spent her adult life pursuing a love of rivers and oceans up and down the East Coast. She holds B.A.s in International Affairs and French from Skidmore College in Upstate New York and spent her time in school studying the sustainability of international fisheries. A former intern at Baykeeper, Cece worked for Patagonia and Athleta (both certified B Corps) before joining the Baykeeper staff. In her free time, Pless enjoys all things “life aquatic,” all things Wes Anderson, and you can be sure to find her on the trail with her dog Styx.

As the Major Donor Advisor, Cece is responsible for recruiting and courting sponsors, spearheading fundraising, membership, major donor, and volunteer events, and developing the Baykeeper Brand through community partnerships.

Emilee Foster was born in the Port City, but grew up in Leakesville, Mississippi and graduated from Greene County High School. She obtained her B.S. in International Studies from Spring Hill College in 2018 and began as an intern at Mobile Baykeeper that summer. She jumped at the chance to continue her service to the Bay through AmeriCorps. In her free time, Emilee likes to shop and go to the white, sandy beaches of Coastal Alabama. She also likes to spend time with her family and English Bulldog, Princess.

As the Operations Director, Emilee is responsible for assisting the Executive Director in carrying out Mobile Baykeeper’s mission. She manages office operations, the Executive Director’s calendar, the Board of Directors and Leadership Committee, reports and correspondence, documents and financial solvency, and the membership database.

A lifelong resident of Mobile, the waters of Coastal Alabama are the source of many memories with family and friends for Fundraising and Stewardship Strategist Wesley Wyatt. He grew up swimming, fishing, chasing snakes, frogs, crabs, and gigging flounder in the seagrass beds at his grandparents’ bay house on the bay’s western shore and his dad’s fishing camp in the delta. Even in his not-so-long lifetime here, the degradation of the Bay’s water quality was evident to Wesley and inspired him to switch from a career in advertising to philanthropic fundraising.

Since starting at Baykeeper at the beginning of the covid pandemic in March 2020, Wesley’s fundraising efforts have seen Baykeeper’s membership expand by 33%. He nurtures relationships with baykeepers around the country to ensure the organization’s financial needs are met, while also leading campaigns and events that demonstrate how our members’ love for our waters can protect their future and our coastal way of life.

Wesley spends his time cruising the Delta in his 1993 Negus, lounging by the beach or pool with a good book, cheering on the Crimson Tide and Green Bay Packers, and talking to anyone and everyone about Alabama’s world-leading biodiversity and natural splendor.

Born in Phoenix, Valerie Longa spent her childhood in the states of Arizona, Virginia, and Rhode Island before moving to Alabama as a teenager. She has called Mobile home for 20 years and earned a B.A. in Integrated Communications from Spring Hill College. Valerie’s 12-year career has focused on Alabama’s environment while working with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, Alabama Coastal Foundation, WildNative Tours, and Nature Connect Outdoor School.

Growing up she spent many days playing in the forests and creeks in her neighborhood, as well as attending and then working as a counselor at a summer camp on the coast of Rhode Island with water skiing, sailing, and windsurfing. She built a strong connection to the natural world and has carried that into her work by helping others to reconnect and develop their relationship with the local environment. Along with her daughter Chloe, and husband Justo, she enjoys time in the outdoors exploring this amazing place we call home.

As the Education Director, Valerie is creating the next generation of stewards by providing meaningful experiences on our local waterways. She is developing a new environmental education plan for Mobile Baykeeper, crafting experiential education programs, and leading the Americorps Education Team.

Born and reared in Mobile, Luke comes to his role as Government Affairs Director for Baykeeper after serving in Montgomery as an attorney for the Alabama Legislative Services Agency and as Chief of Staff for the Minority Leader of the Alabama House of Representatives. With additional experience in Washington and in Alabama’s city halls and county seats, Luke aims to build and leverage relationships to foster proper long-term environmental stewardship within our systems of government.

Luke earned degrees from the University of Alabama (B.A., History) and the University of Alabama School of Law (J.D.), and is a member of the Mobile Bar Association.

Luke is an Eagle Scout and avid outdoorsman, and enjoys kayaking and hiking in the beautiful slice of creation that is Alabama. When they’re not outdoors, he and his wife, Jayme, enjoy household cooking competitions and doting upon their faithful feline companions.

Nicole grew up in Northern California in the valley of the Sierra Nevadas. She came of age learning the importance of environmental protections while hiking, camping, and discovering new swimming holes all over the region. After spending a few years in the Midwest and parts of the South, Nicole now resides in Baldwin County with her husband and two young children.

Nicole has worked as a professional administrator for the majority of her adult life in various fields, working to learn new industries and using her skills to help those in the community that need it most. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, experiencing new cultures, creating art, aiding with community events, and being outdoors with her family.

As the Administrator at Baykeeper, Nicole is responsible for grant acquisition through the Americorps program, member and grant compliance, grant management and aiding in the overall improvement of the program.

Charith Denson grew up on the Oregon coast, where she enjoyed surfing as a teenager and playing in the tides. Her grandfather owned a commercial fishing boat and her dad built custom-sport fishing boats, so she got her sea legs early in life.

Charith graduated from George Fox University, where she earned a BA in Communications. At Baykeeper she works as the Director of Content Strategy and Implementation, where she designs branded content and serves as the organization’s brand guardian.

In her free time she enjoys working as a mixed-media artist in the folk idiom, and exploring the Southwest with her family in their Scamp travel-trailer. She paddle-boards and kayaks whenever she gets the chance. She loves experiencing new places through the food scene and culture, with a special fondness for Vietnam and India, due to the sensory experiences they afford.

Vanessa Cochran hails from Atlanta. She has a BA in English from the University of Georgia and a Master of Arts in Professional Writing from Kennesaw State University. Vanessa moved to Mobile in 2009 and discovered her knack for grant writing while working for Feeding the Gulf Coast. In 2020, Vanessa joined the Mobile County Health Department to manage federal grants and support the COVID-19 pandemic response.

As Grants Manager, Vanessa brings a decade of expertise in researching grant opportunities, writing grant applications, managing grant awards from the pre-award process through closeout, and coordinating with stakeholders at all levels. Outside of the office, Vanessa enjoys paddling in Mobile Bay and surrounding waterways with her husband, two daughters, and Ziggy the Brittany Spaniel.

Mellonie grew up in Enterprise, Alabama, and her career began as a Hospital Lab Technician. Later, she pursued a career in Hospital Information Technology at CPSI, in Mobile. She earned an associate degree in applied science from George Wallace Community College.

Mellonie enjoys spending time outdoors birding, paddle-boarding, gardening, and exploring nature wherever she is. Recently, she received a Mississippi Master Naturalist Certification to enhance her knowledge of natural resources and to help serve communities through outreach and service.

As the Facility Manager, Mellonie is responsible for overseeing reception services, coordinating building maintenance, and managing IT support. Her support to the Operations Director is essential in ensuring a smooth and efficient operational workflow.

Originally from Wisconsin, Kayla spent her childhood exploring the natural lakes and stream systems of her home state. She earned her BS from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Applied Science with a concentration in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology where she conducted research investigating the possible causes of colony collapse disorder in honey bees as well as the cellular impacts of Black Crappie Sarcoma, a fish disease impacting the crappie population throughout Wisconsin.

She earned her PhD from Auburn University in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, studying how adverse environmental conditions impact oyster energetic use in the Gulf of Mexico through laboratory work and field work. Although her dissertation research primarily focused on oysters, she was also actively involved in research projects that investigated native Alabama crayfish species responses to thermal stress.

As Oyster Project Manager, her goal is to improve the quantity and quality of oyster reefs in Mobile Bay through targeted applied research and community outreach. Her favorite pastimes are hiking through the nature trails around Mobile and Baldwin counties, playing disc golf, and enjoying oysters on the half-shell with family and friends.

Angela grew up in Gulfport, Mississippi, and after years away, made her way back to the Gulf Coast—this time to Mobile—with her husband and their dog, Gracie. With nearly two decades of experience in marketing and communications for chambers of commerce, Angela made a career pivot in 2019, returning to school to study political science with a focus on nonprofit management. She now brings that blend of experience and purpose to her role at Mobile Baykeeper, where she builds partnerships with businesses that care about clean water.

Angela is passionate about protecting the coastal communities and seafood culture she grew up with and is especially driven to expand access to clean water for all. Outside of work, you’ll find her reading on the beach, experimenting with new recipes, or scouting out the best coffee shops in town.

Morgan grew up in Schertz, Texas, where summers meant long days on the river with family and friends—experiences that taught her early on just how important clean, accessible water is to a community. She moved to Mobile in 2020 to attend the University of South Alabama and earned her degree in biology with a concentration in marine sciences in the spring of 2024. She’s now continuing her studies through Oregon State’s Environmental Sciences ECampus Graduate Program.

At Mobile Baykeeper, Morgan digs into the nitty-gritty of fish consumption safety and toxic pollution. She works to track down the sources of harmful pollutants, support stronger standards, and help find real-world solutions to reduce toxic threats in our waterways.

When she’s not buried in research, you’ll probably find Morgan outside—whether she’s paddling local creeks, playing a pickup game of soccer, or hunting down the best hidden gems around town.

A native of Athens, Alabama, Taylor graduated from the University of South Alabama in 2022, with a B.A. in Business Administration. Surrounded by nature as a child, she grew to appreciate the unique biodiversity of Alabama and knew she wanted to do something to protect it. She joined the Baykeeper team to help educate others about what’s happening at the environmental level and how to come together to make changes that help preserve our wildlife and habitat.

She harbors a strong passion for environmental justice, recognizing that certain communities are disproportionately affected by climate change and other environmental hazards. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, cooking, and gardening.

Born and raised in Mobile, Joseph is a documentary filmmaker who places humanity at the forefront of his work. Whether it be comedy, documentary, or digital content, his treatment of the subject matter comes from a place of deep respect for story, character, and nuance. Joseph likes to celebrate details and small moments, and he loves how they lead to larger truths. An editor and cinematographer in addition to being a director, Joseph has created work for Nutella, Food Network, Chicago Cubs, Friendly’s, Mobile Museum of Art, among others.

Joseph is also a big music fan, with a particular fondness for Mobile’s own Jimmy Buffett. After the passing of Buffett in 2023, Brennan co-founded the Son of a Sailor (S.O.S.) Fest, a rollicking street and music festival that honors one of Mobile’s favorite native sons.

Ray landed in Fairhope in 2009 after spending her early years near the coastlines of New York and South Carolina—and it didn’t take long for her to realize just how special Mobile Bay is. Inspired by her surroundings and the stories of her favorite children’s author, Suzanne Tate, Ray grew up wanting to be one of the “helpful humans” who take care of the critters, plants, and wild places that can’t speak up for themselves.

She went on to earn her degree in Geography, Sustainability, and Environmental Planning from Jacksonville University, specializing in Sustainability and Resiliency. Even while away at school, she found herself constantly using Mobile Bay as a real-world example in her research. Now back home, she splits her time between exploring the delta, bays, and beaches—and catching live local music with her crew after dark.

As Mobile Baykeeper’s Oyster Project Coordinator, Ray keeps tabs on the oysters our Oyster Keepers are growing, coordinates volunteers for hands-on field days, and helps spread the word about why oysters matter so much to the health of our waters.

Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Conrad’s love for the outdoors began at an early age. From hunting trips with his dad and brothers, to exploring and fishing many of the lakes and rivers in the surrounding areas, he gained a passion for environmental stewardship and protecting natural resources. This love of nature led Conrad to attend The University of Alabama, where he received a BS degree with a double major in Marine Science and Biology. With a goal in mind of trying to improve his home state, Conrad moved south to Mobile in 2020 where he worked on oyster habitat restoration projects for the Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center.  

As the Water Quality Investigator, Conrad will work with the Field and Research team to use water quality and habitat restoration science to help defend and revive the coastal waters of Alabama. He will also examine measurable connections between water quality changes and key bay health indicators (oysters, submerged aquatic vegetation, fish consumption safety and swim safety). In his free time, Conrad loves to explore the outdoors, travel, and spend time with his wife and young daughter.  

Sabrina grew up in Birmingham but spent just about every weekend and summer down on the Alabama coast with her family—where she fell head over heels for the state’s natural beauty. She came to Mobile for college at the University of South Alabama, earned a degree in Biology with a minor in Marine Science, and decided to stick around.

Her journey into environmental education started right here at Mobile Baykeeper as an AmeriCorps team member, followed by time teaching marine science at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Now, as Education Coordinator, she leads our NextGen Baykeepers and SWAMP programs, teaming up with teachers, students, and community members to spark curiosity and a love for our watershed.

When she’s not teaching or out in the field, Sabrina’s probably got a book in hand, a paddle in the water, or is front row at a local concert. She’s passionate about making sure every young person in our area feels at home outside—and believes that getting to know the water is the first step to wanting to protect it.

Growing up in Round Rock, Texas, Emma visited the Gulf Coast often as a young girl. She grew fond of the sugar-white sands and laid-back pace, knowing at a very young age she’d eventually move here.

Emma is currently an undergraduate at the University of South Alabama, where she is pursuing a B.S in Marine Science with a UTeach science minor, which will give her a secondary education certification upon completion.

Emma currently works as an Environmental Education Intern at Baykeeper, where she is continuing her pursuit of educating in the field. As part of the Education team, she works different outreach events, helps to carry out various programs, and invests time in career development. Outside of her work at Mobile Baykeeper, she invests a lot of time in personal well-being and coaches volleyball at Denton Magnet School.

Leah grew up in Crestwood, Kentucky. Despite being landlocked, she always had a love for the ocean and its many creatures. She knew from a young age that she wanted to move to the beach one day and study the ocean.

Leah is currently an undergraduate at USA, where she is pursuing a B.S in marine science with a U-Teach Science minor, which will allow her to graduate with a secondary education certification.

As an Environmental Education Intern at Baykeeper, Leah is working in schools and participating in outreach days around Mobile, educating students on the local environment and everything it has to offer. Leah enjoys being able to educate and influence others who want to do better for the environment. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, friends, and her dog.

Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Isabella knew from a young age that she wanted to help people. Although she lived most of her life in a big Texas city, she spent summers floating down rivers and swimming in the lake.

Combining her love for art and design with her commitment to making a difference, she moved to Mobile in 2022 to continue her academic career at the University of South Alabama. She will graduate in the spring of 2026 with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts and a concentration in Graphic Design. Her passion is to visually communicate important ideas and information to her community.

As a Graphic Design Intern, she works closely with each team to share information with the community about Baykeeper’s goals and projects. She also works to create easy-to-follow visuals that help educate the community about the importance of clean water. In her spare time, Isabella enjoys hiking, going to the beach, gardening and composting, playing sports, and trying to train her three cats to do tricks.