Alyssa Portaro, Executive Director

Alyssa Portaro is a dynamic environmentalist and activist known for her extensive work in sustainability, nonprofit development, and socially beneficial consultancy. She is the Founder and Director of Habitat Recovery Project and 2x awarded by National Wildlife Federation as an EcoLeader Mentor for her work. Alyssa is the granddaughter of immigrants who settled in “Silk City,” Paterson, a city founded by Alexander Hamilton, who decided to make Paterson the first industrial planned community in the United States. She grew up in a contaminated community in New Jersey where DuPont did toxic dumping, and now lives and operates HRP from her Louisiana homestead which serves as a sustainable demonstration hub and nature space. Alongside her children who can often be heard singing songs for the movement, she is dedicated to raising awareness on industrial chemical infrastructure impacts to ecosystems and human health. Her consultancy work spans several nonprofits and environmental organizations globally, reflecting her deep commitment to sustainable solutions and community resilience. Read more about Alyssa’s accomplishments here.

Iffy roma, programs director

Iffy is a seasoned project manager and production coordinator with extensive experience in bringing creative visions to life. Her background in social justice, theater-making, and trauma-informed embodiment facilitation informs a holistic approach to project management.

Utilizing her diverse skill set, she amplifies missions promoting equity, inclusion, empowerment, and sustainability. Iffy has managed events of varying scales and complexities, from local community gatherings to international conferences. As a UN ambassador for girls' access to education, she has over seven years of experience with the NYC-based nonprofit Girl Be Heard, contributing to global advocacy and empowerment initiatives, from company member to interim director of education and curriculum development lead.

Her extensive training includes courses include the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond’s Undoing Racism training. Iffy also holds certifications from the National Council for Behavioral Health’s Youth Mental Health First Aid USA. Additionally, she has two years of experience managing the SXSW Future of Food event, where she developed value-oriented event practices.

Misha mayeur, communications and storytelling director

Misha Mayeur is a New Orleans native with deep family roots in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast dating back 500 years. Currently, she is focused on cataloging the climate and social issues facing the Gulf Coast through our podcast and newsletter, Gulf Rising. Misha also hosted a radio show on WHIV 102.3 FM New Orleans, a social justice radio station, for two years.

She holds a BS from the Communications School at the University of Miami and was galvanized towards her work after her father, who worked in the Louisiana oil industry, passed away from cancer at 55. This personal loss fueled her commitment to environmental activism, culminating in the creation of Gulf Rising in podcast and website form this spring of 2024.

Passionate about causes close to her heart, Misha has dedicated years to advocacy in areas such as psychedelics as medicine, New York civic engagement, women's reproductive rights, immigrant rights, and environmental activism for the Gulf Coast.