Staff

Melinda Chow, Executive Director

Melinda began her executive director position with River Watch in February of 2016. She admits she was drawn to the role because of her “love for science and passion for empowering young people.” Previously, she served as outreach coordinator and manager of Hot Science Cool Talks at The University of Texas Environmental Science Institute. Her nonprofit experience spans nearly 15 years and includes Girls Rock Austin and KUT, as well as the South Memphis Alliance in Tennessee, and the National Multicultural Institute in Washington D.C. She also served as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer in Memphis. Melinda has lived in Austin since 2006, and serves on the boards of Girls Rock Austin and The Dumpster Project. She holds two bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Anthropology, and a master’s degree in Applied Anthropology. Email >

Amelia DeVivo, Program Director

Amelia has worked as a bilingual educator for AISD for the past eight years, with a passion and specialty for connecting youth with nature. Her outdoor educational experience includes coordinating and leading the Gulf Coast Expedition, a nature immersion camp for young adults along the Texas Gulf Coast studying conservation and coastal ecology. For her master’s thesis, Amelia designed, implemented, and evaluated an urban school agricultural program in Austin, developing STEM skills, SEL, and health and nutritional outcomes in underprivileged youth. Amelia graduated from Texas State University in May 2018 with her MS in Geography. Email >

Jamie Green, Development and Operations Coordinator

Jamie is a trained and Licensed Social Worker who completed her MSW at The University of Texas at Austin, where she also had the opportunity to participate in an exciting internship in India. There, she was able to create a project focused on basic disease prevention and hand-washing to positively impact the health of a small rural village. Jamie’s previous professional experience has been centered around empowering at-risk youth, working with agencies focusing on school-based case management, foster care and adoption, and a residential treatment center. In her spare time, Jamie enjoys creating art, adventuring outdoors and in nature, and playing local sports. Email >

Beth Bennett, Program Coordinator

Beth has been an environmental educator and outreach leader at the Camacho Activity Center, the Austin Nature and Science Center, and the Colorado River Alliance. While at Camacho, she created and implemented Dirt Divas, a program in girls empowerment and sustainability. Additionally, Beth gained experience through various professional and community engagements while earning her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy at St. Edward’s University. These include internships in International Water Policy, Global Understanding, and serving as a leader on campus sustainability initiatives. Beth graduated in December 2016 among the top of her class with multiple honors. Email >

Chanel Davis, Program Coordinator

Chanel has been serving as an AmeriCorps member with 4-H CAPITAL as an Animal Science Team Leader. While at 4-H she developed inquiry-based STEM curriculum, cared for program animals, and supported team members with lesson planning and behavior management. She gained outdoor education experience through working as a camp counselor with the New York Department of Conservation, community outreach intern with Buffalo-Niagara Waterkeeper, and study abroad trips to Hawaii, South Africa, and Costa Rica. She graduated from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY in 2018 with a BS in Animal Behavior, Ecology, & Conservation & Environmental Studies and a MS in Education. Email >

Emma Walsh, Program & Administrative Coordinator

Emma has worked with AYRW for the past year as a Program Assistant, working directly with the River Watchers and helping to facilitate programming. She also gained outdoor educational experience as a nature-based Activity Specialist at Camacho Activity Center and while leading guided snorkel tours of the San Marcos River. Emma graduated in May 2019 with her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from UT Austin with a focus on urban sustainability and environmental education. Email >

Board

Fidel Campuzano, Board President

University Leadership Initiative, Lincoln Goldfinch Law

Jonathan Barona, Board Vice President

Special Projects Manager, Austin Community Foundation

James Tinley, Board Treasurer

Assistant General Counsel, Texas Ethics Commission

Tarrah Thompson

AVID District Coordinator, Austin ISD

Peer mentoring with intensive environmental education

Staff & Board