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BOARD PRESIDENT/ CO-FOUNDER

Caitlin is a dedicated, passionate, consistent advocate for community-based disaster response. With over ten years of targeted disaster assistance volunteer experience, Caitlin is a co-founder and current Board President of ELR. Caitlin earned her Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School with a focus on public interest and environmental law and her BA from Tulane University. She currently works as the Deputy Judicial Administrator for Court Access at the Louisiana Supreme Court, helping provide meaningful access to Louisiana Courts for all individuals. Caitlin has called New Orleans home for over 20 years. She currently lives in the 7th ward with her daughter and cats. In her free time, you will find her working on her house and award-winning garden, cooking, baking, reading, and spending as much time as possible in nature.

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ CO-FOUNDER

Amelia Hoppe, co-founder and Executive Director of Emergency Legal Responders (ELR), launched the organization in 2017, driven by a fervent commitment to addressing disaster-affected communities' legal challenges. Under Amelia's leadership, ELR has evolved from an entirely volunteer-run to a staffed organization, expanding its capacity to provide essential legal services, education, and disaster rights advocacy. With a deep understanding of community needs, Amelia has guided ELR in its mission to ensure equitable access to support, amplify voices, and drive policy change. Her dedication has made ELR a trusted resource for communities nationwide, contributing to their journey toward recovery and resilience. Amelia enjoys learning about everything ( and anything), and you can find her most of time at a local library.

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DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZING AND DEVELOPMENT

Eliza brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, project management, and community advocacy, dedicated to fostering equitable and transformative environments. As the director of organizing and development at Emergency Legal Responders (ELR), she oversees program strategies, community partnerships, fundraising, and donor relationships. Her diverse background includes work in disaster justice, crisis intervention, and social services related to domestic violence, sexual assault, alternative education, and homelessness. Before ELR, she was the director of public programs and community engagement at New Orleans Airlift, co-creating public art projects that promoted community resilience. Eliza holds dual master's degrees in ethics, peace, and global affairs from American University, where she focused on intersectional feminism, restorative justice, and anti-racist frameworks. She also actively participates in local grassroots efforts and enjoys gardening, reading, and exploring waterfalls in her free time.

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TREASURER

Kayla Palmer is a CPA and financial consultant based in New Orleans. She has successfully leveraged her financial expertise to assist a broad range of clients in the government contracting, technology, and nonprofit sectors. Kayla has played a pivotal role in optimizing cash flow management, enhancing financial reporting accuracy, and modernizing budgeting processes to help organizations make informed strategic decisions. At ELR, Kayla oversees the financial health of the organization, ensuring compliance with national reporting standards, monitoring the impact of funding, and forecasting future expenditures for disaster relief efforts. Her work ensures that ELR is well-equipped to respond to emergencies and allocate resources effectively. Kayla is also a fashion photographer whose work examines the human condition through a tapestry of color, emotion, and styling. She brings her creative expertise to ELR by contributing to the organization's brand image and capturing the real-life impact of disasters on communities around the world through on-site documentary-style photography

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BOARD MEMBER

Patrick is a labor and community organizer with over a decade of experience in labor unions, nonprofits, and community organizations. He has seen the effects of both man-made and natural disasters on communities, having lived in Michigan, Louisiana, and Florida. His fundamental conviction is that the greatest way to recover from calamity and give the least fortunate power is for people to band together to uplift their communities. At Emergency Legal Responders (ELR), Patrick uses his organizing skills to mobilize and empower disaster-affected communities, ensuring they have the support and resources needed for recovery. His experience aligns perfectly with ELR's mission of providing accessible legal aid and advocacy to those in disaster-stricken areas. Patrick's efforts help bridge the 'disaster justice gap,' ensuring that marginalized communities receive the legal support they need to rebuild and thrive. Patrick has a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Florida State University and a Master's in Labor Studies from CUNY​

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ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

Harrece Gassery is an attorney with Gassery Law Firm, LLC, his solo practice serving Greater New Orleans.Harrece holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Morhouse College and a Juris Doctorate from LSU Law. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp, having served as an Infantry Officer for more than four years. He is experienced in criminal law, family law, torts, contracts, succession and estates, personal injury, administrative law, and disaster law. Harrece was formerly a Reentry/Civil Attorney at the Orleans Public Defenders office, GOFAR section, and has assisted victims of natural disasters throughout Louisiana.

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VOLUNTEER CLIMATE JUSTICE ATTORNEY

Colin Leonard is a highly skilled attorney with a Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. He has dedicated his career to making a positive impact, assisting the Denham Springs community during the 2016 Louisiana floods and addressing various legal issues across cities like New Orleans and Shreveport. At Emergency Legal Responders (ELR), Colin specializes in climate-related disaster legal impact. He collaborates with Gulf-based environmental justice organizations, supporting affected communities and advocating for their rights. With a passion for spreading legal knowledge and creating a sustainable future, Colin is a trusted advocate for those affected by environmental challenges.

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VOLUNTEER POLICY ADVOCATE

Cameron's passion for progress in social policy has led him to engage in policy work across disciplines. As a Tulane University Ph.D. candidate, he believes in the power of community-engaged research to lead transformative systems change. He has studied disasters for several years with Tulane University's Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy. His research focuses on the intersection between marginalization and disasters. Cameron joined ELR to diminish barriers to disaster recovery in our current system through policy initiaves that advance community reslience. As a community radio DJ, he always has a great soundtrack, playing both while working and beyond.