Our Team
Joe Thomas
Executive Director
A native Atlantan and current Savannahian, Joe Thomas is a lifelong Georgian with over a decade of experience supporting environmental and social justice organizations and campaigns in a variety of roles. He has worked with a litany of community groups, including Georgia Conservation Voters, Trees Atlanta, and the Georgia Conservancy, and has served as a board director for the Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land and the Georgia Conservancy Generation Green board.
He was a member of the Memorial Drive Greenway Visioning Committee in Atlanta and was instrumental in efforts to change the name of Confederate Avenue (now United Avenue) in Atlanta’s Grant Park and Ormewood Park neighborhoods.
Joe lives with his wife, Meghan, a Savannah public school teacher, and their son Brooks on Savannah’s southside. He enjoys cooking and travelling and is an avid supporter of Atlanta and UGA sports.
MaryBeth Deiters
Administration and Grants Manager
With a belief that the actions of everyday citizens can affect extraordinary change, MaryBeth Deiters utilizes her past experience in foundation operations and grants management to further the mission of The Sapelo Foundation. She believes that by investing strategically in the community and in passionate organizations, the foundation’s goal of a just Georgia can be realized.
MaryBeth is energized by the work of grassroots organizations. She has volunteered for several Get Out the Vote campaigns and had the pleasure of serving as Vice Chairman of Liberty’s Initiative for Community Housing. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for a Savannah based animal rescue.
MaryBeth received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI. She graduated magna cum laude with a master’s degree from the University of Oregon’s School of Planning, Public Policy and Management where she concentrated her studies on Community Building and earned distinction as an Outstanding Master of Public Policy.
MaryBeth lives in Liberty County with her husband, Mike, and their menagerie of pets. She enjoys exploring Georgia’s natural beauty and trying new cuisines.
Trustees
Nicole Bagley – President
Philip N. Carey – Vice President
Michael Grant – Secretary
Laura Mountcastle – Treasurer
Irene Reynolds Schier, Ph.D. – President Emeritus
William K. Broker
Avery Galiette
Bettieanne Hart
The Honorable Senator Nan Grogan Orrock
Hattie Portis-Jones
Midge Sweet