Trey Cooke
Executive Director
Trey is a product of multi-generational farm families with 25 years of experience in senior leadership roles for regional and national conservation non-profits. With a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a master’s in biology, Trey leverages his trust in science with his experience in the agriculture sector to advance meaningful conservation outcomes for the benefit of the environment, people, and our economy.
Contact him at tcooke@RIPEroadmap.org.
Emily Lord
Chief Operating Officer
Emily has more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit management. As a COO and CFO, she’s helped grow multiple nonprofits to achieve massive growth in employees and revenue, managing operations, human resources, finances, and client services. Emily resides in beautiful Minnesota with her spouse and two kids.
Melissa Willhouse
Communications Manager
Melissa is an experienced storyteller with a passion for sustainability. She completed her M.Sc of Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University in 2023, and her BA of Communication Studies from Rider University in 2018. Beyond her work with RIPE, Melissa is a freelance photographer and an environmental educator.
Erin Alexander
Policy Research Analyst
Erin is finishing her final year at Brown University where she is double concentrating in Conservation Science and Policy and International and Public Affairs. She has a strong interest in agricultural policy, evaluating science-based solutions and implementing tangible conservation practices to advance a more just and sustainable future.
Robin Sukhadia
Project Manager & Fundraising Strategy Advisor
Robin’s fundraising expertise is a factor of more than 20 years of international fundraising, community organizing, technology leadership, project management, and teaching experience. He is a Fulbright Scholar and a popular graduate-level instructor on fundraising and the arts in the Arts Management program at Claremont Graduate University.
John Anner, PhD
Project, Fundraising & Strategy Lead
John is a seasoned nonprofit executive and fund development specialist. He has an MS in Agricultural Development from UC Davis and worked in the development world as a rice extension agent and later with farmers in Southeast Asia. Dr. Anner will be focused on development planning, strategic planning, and strategic management.
Martin Barbre
Producer Engagement Advisor
Martin is former USDA Risk Management Agency administrator, past president of the National Corn Growers Association Corn Board, and a member of the Illinois Corn Growers Association.
Darian Heyman
Board Development and Fundraising Strategy Advisor
Darian is an accomplished environmental leader, fundraiser, and social entrepreneur. He began his life’s work “helping people help” during his five-year tenure as Executive Director of Craigslist Foundation. Building on this impact and his lifelong commitment to building the capacity of the nonprofit sector writ large, he authored the best-selling Nonprofit Fundraising 101 and edited the best- selling Nonprofit Management 101.
Doyle Karr
Corporate Engagement Advisor
Doyle brings more than 30 years of professional experience in the agriculture and food industry to RIPE. Doyle grew up on a small, diversified farm in Illinois and began his career as a farm journalist in the Midwest. Prior to creating his own business, Doyle led global consumer insights and food system engagement for a multi-national agriculture powerhouse.
Reece Langley
Government Affairs and Policy Advisor
Reece is focused on bipartisan government relations, public policy and industry relations focused on agriculture and food policy. He was formerly vice president of Washington Operations at National Cotton Council and vice president of government affairs at USA Rice Federation.
