Our Team
Russell Chisholm
Co-Director
Russell (he/him) serves as Co-Director of the Protect Our Water, Heritage Rights coalition in the campaign to stop Mountain Valley Pipeline and dangerous fossil fuel expansion through Virginia and West Virginia.
Denali Nalamalapu
Co-Director
Denali (they/them) lives in the New River Valley. They are originally from Southern Maine and their family is from Southern India. They are passionate about climate action and uplifting the voices of communities most impacted by environmental racism and the climate crisis through their communications work. You can find them reading a book, painting, or walking in the woods.
Crystal Mello
Community Organizer
Crystal (she/her) lives in Shawsville, Virginia. She has lived much of her life in Southwest Virginia and has long been active in mutual aid and prison abolition work. At POWHR, Crystal will help community members identify their climate justice needs and help mobilize and empower communities to collectively resolve those needs.
Dan Ideozu
Partnerships Manager
Dan (they/them) is the Partnerships Manager at POWHR. They live in Newport, Virginia and they are originally from Northeast Ohio bordering Central Appalachia. Throughout their life they have found joy and community by participating in mutual aid, food justice work, housing programs and climate activism. They also find joy in fiber arts, making music and getting their hands in the dirt.
Lief Hurt
Advocacy Manager
Lief (they/them) is the Advocacy Manager at POWHR. They are from Floyd, VA and consider the NRV home. They find joy participating in mutual aid efforts, relocating venomous snakes to safer habitats, exploring local trails, and spending cozy moments at home. They are committed to promoting inclusivity and advocating for a sustainable and just future for all beings.
Our Advisory Council
Our Advisory Council consists of a diverse group of leaders from across southwest Virginia and West Virginia: Irene Leech, Bernadette “BJ” Lark, Katherine Coffey, Emily Satterwhite, Mariah Clay, Lynda Majors, and Michele Mattioli.
Contact Us
Reach out to our team via email.