Staff and Board of Directors
Sue ErhardtExecutive Director
Sue Erhardt has more than 20 years of senior leadership experience working in the conservation, nature, and place based education movement. Over her career, she has been able to grow programs, expand staff, and develop organizational infrastructure in a sustainable fashion. She has worked for urban forestry organizations in Detroit and Washington DC, and most recently for an agriculture nonprofit based in Augusta and Highland Counties, in Virginia. Her programs included a Food and Farm Fellowship program, as well as designing and implementing a Farm to Hospital project which has become a resource for the community by providing educational programming and vegetables for a Food Farmacy program. Ms. Erhardt holds a Master's Degree in Environmental Studies. She is a Certified Arborist and Certified Interpreter Guide. Her efforts have been recognized by prominent groups with several notable awards, such as the National Park Service Centennial Award and Outstanding Educator Award from the Arbor Day Foundation. Working at the Ivy Creek Foundation combines her passion for history and the national world with her experience running non-profit organizations. Contact Sue at sue@ivycreekfoundation.org.
Rochelle GarwoodDirector of Operations
Rochelle Garwood was a board member of the Ivy Creek Foundation from 2014-2019 and a member since the early 1990s. Her previous work experience includes serving as Senior Environmental Planner for the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission. She holds a Master's Degree in Environmental Science. Rochelle is responsible for day-to-day operations such as property maintenance, building booking and administration. Contact Rochelle at rochelle@ivycreekfoundation.org.
Susie FarmerDirector of Education
Susan Farmer has over ten years of experience working in museums and National Parks, where she has led tours, created formal and informal educational programs for both children and adults. These programs ranged from geology, history, wildflowers, and native flowers, native animal species programs, and conservation programs. She has a Master's degree in history and has focused her research on social movements, women's history, and African American history. She is excited to be part of the team at Ivy Creek because it combines her passion for nature and the outdoors with her love of history. Contact Susie at susie@ivycreekfoundation.org.
Mariah Payne
Education Coordinator
Mariah Payne is a December 2022 graduate of Christopher Newport University. She graduated with a major in History and double minors in Museum Studies and Psychology. She is a native of Charlottesville and a descendant of both River View Farm through Texie Mae Hawkins and Monticello through the Gillettes. Mariah enjoyed her internship last summer and is excited to return as a staff member before heading off to New York City in August. Contact Mariah at mariah@ivycreekfoundation.org.
Isabella RicciIntern
Isabella Ricci is a second-year student at the University of Virginia. She plans to major in Environmental Science and/or Global Environments and Sustainability. This past summer she worked as a teacher at a nature-based preschool in Northern Virginia and is looking forward to continuing her work in nature education here at the Ivy Creek Foundation. Contact Isabella at isabella@ivycreekfoundation.org.