nathan burrell
executive DIRECTOR

With over 20 years of experience in parks management and land conservation, Nathan was appointed as a Deputy Director of Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation by then Governor Northam in 2020 and is currently the Director of Community Conservation and Government relations for the Virginia Outdoor Foundation. During this time, Nathan has been recognized as a leader in the Richmond community with awards ranging from “Top 40 under 40” by Style Weekly in 2011 to GRTC’s “Black History Month: Local History Maker” in 2017 and most recently honored as one of Richmond Times Dispatch’s 2018 “Person of the Year.” In his spare time you can find Nathan riding his bike around Richmond or paddling the James.

Melissa Guevara
Youth ProgramS Director

Melissa (she/her) began her career as an urban environmentalist at Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Science Barge, serving as a weekend docent and member of the Green Team for over 6 years. She attended Bard College and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Urban Studies, focusing her thesis on public health issues surrounding water and air quality in urban settings. While attending Bard, she interned at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge and Wallkill Wildlife Complex. These experiences further solidified her commitment to conservation and the elimination of barriers to accessing natural areas and green spaces for historically marginalized people.

After graduation, Melissa served as the Youth Program Coordinator for Groundwork Dallas for over 2 years. During her tenure, she introduced youth from all walks of life and backgrounds to the wonder of outdoor recreation and the possibility of careers in the environmental field. In 2018, Melissa relocated to Richmond to serve as Groundwork Richmond’s Youth Program Coordinator. In 2022, Melissa became Groundwork Richmond’s Youth Program Director. Melissa strives to provide youth the opportunity to work within their natural environments, benefit from green spaces, and become advocates for themselves and their communities.

Alexa Santisteban
Bellemeade Community Bike Shop Manager

Alexa (they/them) joined the Groundwork RVA team as the Bicycle Program Manager in the summer of 2020. For many years prior, they were involved in various spaces of community organizing; specifically around the topics of queer, immigrant, and racial justice. In 2018, they joined the VCU RamBikes team, where they discovered their love for cycling and cycling education. While at RamBikes, they were able to combine both their passion for community organizing and newfound love for biking, into the work that they were doing. They spent this time working with youth at various organizations around the city, including but not limited to: Sacred Heart Center, Safe Routes to School, A Better Day Association, and even Groundwork RVA!

With Groundwork, Alexa hopes to continue expanding on the work that they’ve been doing, and the work that has already been done, to bring more access to cycling and cycling resources to Richmond’s Southside communities.

CELISTA MONEY
BIKE SHOP EDUCATOR

Celista (they/them) was a Camp Spokes volunteer in the summers of 2021 and 2022 before joining the Green Apprenticeship Program in April 2023. That summer, they were hired as a part-time bike shop mechanic and quickly expanded their role to full-time, and now works at both the Bellemeade Bike Shop and Hillside Mini-Farm.

Katie carline

Farm Manager

Katie (she/her) has been held by the Richmond curse since she started her journey in 2010 focusing on crop production and food access working with local nonprofits that are youth centric. She has a background in horticulture, Integrated Nutrition Consulting and youth athletic coaching. In her free time Katie creates paper floral sculptures that you can sometimes see at The VMFA, or you can find her galivanting around the woods or in a bog exclaiming about native orchids. She’s excited to be a part of the Groundwork RVA family where her passions for community care and environmental education can be made accessible for all!

Aaron Roland

Finance and Operations Director

Aaron (he/him) is a Richmond, VA native with nearly 10 years of experience in financial administration across public, for-profit, and nonprofit sectors. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in African-American Studies and Sociology from VCU, fueling his passion for community upliftment, youth empowerment, and equity. Aaron serves on the Board of Directors for Communities In Schools of Petersburg and the EDI Committee for SPARC, advancing missions to empower youth through education and the arts.

When he’s not working, Aaron enjoys relaxing, exploring Richmond’s trails and neighborhoods, and simply indulging in smooth jazz and anime—reminders of the balance between advocacy and humanity.

DA’VANTAE BALLOU (BLUE) Farm coordinator

Da’Vantae Ballou (he/him), aka Blue, started out as a Green Team member during the summer of his 11th grade year of high school. Blue then returned for a couple more Green Team sessions and had the chance to experience different things in green spaces and get closer to nature. Blue learned about the environmental problems that effect his community and how to come up with solutions to fix or lessen the effects. After graduation, Blue came back and helped out from time to time until I got the opportunity to work through the AmeriCorps program where he got the chance to learn and work on our Mini-Farm where he now works, learning and teaching people in the community how to start their own produce and provide free produce to the people in the community.

RYAN OTT
GREEN TEAM Program MANAGER

Ryan (he/him) is a Richmond native coming to Groundwork RVA after working as an outdoor educator for Peter Paul, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, and the Neighborhood Resource Center. He loves connecting people with the outdoors and exposing them to all the opportunities for personal and professional growth that a connection with nature can provide. Ryan is excited to join Groundwork RVA to continue our work of equipping the youth in our city with new skills and empowering them to use their voice to enact change. In his free time, Ryan enjoys practicing his nature photography skills, playing basketball, and exploring Richmond's nature trails with his wife and their dog.

Ii’Jeana James
YOUTH EDUCATOR

Ii’Jeana (she/her) started out as a Green Team member at Groundwork RVA and now serves as our Youth Educator. Ii’Jeana is a jack of all trades with most things Groundwork RVA, but her focus areas are our Hillside Mini-Farm and Youth Programming. Helping others is what she looks forward to every single day. She has fallen in love with being able to give back and serve the community she grew up around. Working at the Hillside Mini-Farm and serving fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs to individuals/families makes her feel whole because she knows that others are being supported the way she was when her family had hardships. Ii’Jeana says that working with the youth of Green Team is a wonderful full circle of giving back the time and effort that helped her to be the bold, passionate adult she is today. Ii’Jeana loves to read manga and participate in paint and sips in her spare time!

Darquan robertson
Green Workforce Crew Chief

Darquan (he/him) serves as the Green Workforce Crew Chief of Groundwork RVA. Darquan is a 2018 graduate of Huguenot High School and worked with Groundwork RVA in our Green Workforce Program over the course of 2017.

darrell atkins
Green Workforce crew lead

Photo and bio coming soon!

E Sears
Green Workforce crew lead

Photo and bio coming soon!

BRIAN ScoTT
Green workforce foreman

Brian (he/him) comes to Groundwork RVA after spending five years working in arboriculture as a team leader. He is an ISA certified arborist, tree risk assessment qualified, and a certified tree care safety professional. Brian hopes sharing his love and knowledge of trees will inspire the city of Richmond, its residents, and the GWRVA team to continue the efforts of making our city greener and more environmentally equitable. In his free time Brian likes spending time outdoors with his family and attending concerts.

Jennifer johnson
communications Consultant

Jennifer (she/her) holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Mills College and a Master’s in Cognitive Science and Language from the University of Barcelona. Bringing over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, her expertise includes process improvement, communications, stakeholder relations, event and project management, and evaluation and data analysis. Jennifer’s deep commitment to racial equity and environmental sustainability steers much of her activity both within and outside of work. Jennifer likes to spend time in the woods with her family, around a table of great food with friends, or reading a good book with her cats on her lap.