Fueled by the love of the islands we call home.
Run by Volunteers.
Interested in being a part of the Board? Or volunteering services?
Email us at ecollectivevi@gmail.com
Get to know our team behind the scenes and at the forefront of the fight:
Thomas “Tom” Moukawsher | Legal Counsel
I am a St. John resident with 40 years’ experience in the law, litigating complex cases in federal court and deciding them for 10 years as a Connecticut Superior Court judge. Today, I am a regular opinion contributor on legal topics for Newsweek magazine and my second book, How to Sue the Government, will be published by Brandeis University Press in April.
What is it about St. John that made you fall in love with it and want to protect it?
In 2010 my wife Betsy and I fell in love at first sight with the unspoiled beauty and friendly ethic of St. John. We bought a home after our first time staying at the former Caneel Bay resort.
What is your favorite part of driving Centerline Road or North Shore Road that makes you smile the most?
I like the incredible views from North Shore Road overlooking Cruz Bay, Caneel Bay, and the major national park beaches.
What is your favorite animal to see in the wild? (under-water creature, land animal or bird?)
Tough choice. I am always thrilled to meet a turtle or see a donkey on the beach, but I have a strange partiality to the underwater ballet of a group of squid.
David DiGiacomo | President
David DiGiacomo believes that we should each do our part to help create a better quality of life for all the people of St. John. He has served on a number boards of St. John non-profit organizations that provide educational, music, recycling, environmental and other services to adults and children living on St. John. David is a retired attorney and has lived on St. John since 2014.
Betsy Moukawsher | Secretary
I have a lifelong respect and interest in the governance of the environment, in particular to the conservation of our planet. I was the official record keeper for the Town of Groton, Connecticut as the Town Clerk & Registrar of Vital Statistics, which included the duty of recording the meeting minutes of the governing bodies.
What is it about St. John that made you fall in love with it and want to protect it?
I knew I wanted to make St. John my home as soon as I stepped off the plane on St. Thomas. I was so impressed by the unadulterated beauty of the island. In addition, I found the people of the island to be very friendly and kind. With the recent news of the new RFP for Caneel Bay, I saw that we will lose public access to the beaches and have no way to halt destruction to the precious historical artifacts, so I felt the urgent need to do something.
What is your favorite part of driving Centerline Road or North Shore Road that makes you smile the most?
It tickles me to see the crystal clear water views as I head north on the North Shore Road, especially when I see Caneel Bay, and of course the ever mystical Easter Rock, also known as "Egg Rock".
What is your favorite animal to see in the wild?
Gosh, I love to see every animal on land and underwater. But, I would say the bats at night are especially awesome, as well as the tarantulas that I occasionally see during the day. Also, schools of blue chromis and cuttlefish are some of my favorite underwater sea friends.
Nicole “Nikki” Goldman (Island Girl Creative) | Design & Marketing
My background is a BFA in emerging media/design/art from UCF – for the last decade I've run Island Girl Creative and specialize in local branding, as well as wedding stationery/signage. My previous involvement includes nonprofit work, and being president of the Graphic Design Student Association and Student Government in college.
What is it about St. John that made you fall in love with it and want to protect it?
My parents met here on the island about 40 years ago and raised me here...This is my home, and every day I find new reasons to fall in love with its magic all over again.
What is your favorite part of driving Centerline Road or North Shore Road that makes you smile the most?
There are so many! However, the curve before Reef Bay trail heading towards Coral Bay... the view of rolling hills and wind through open windows... is priceless.
What is your favorite animal to see in the wild? (under-water creature, land animal or bird?)
Juvenile Midnight Damsel fish or Bananaquits.
Vicky Brown | Treasurer
I have a lifelong respect and interest in the governance of the environment, in particular to the conservation of our planet. I was the official record keeper for the Town of Groton, Connecticut as the Town Clerk & Registrar of Vital Statistics, which included the duty of recording the meeting minutes of the governing bodies.
What is it about St. John that made you fall in love with it and want to protect it?
I knew I wanted to make St. John my home as soon as I stepped off the plane on St. Thomas. I was so impressed by the unadulterated beauty of the island. In addition, I found the people of the island to be very friendly and kind. With the recent news of the new RFP for Caneel Bay, I saw that we will lose public access to the beaches and have no way to halt destruction to the precious historical artifacts, so I felt the urgent need to do something.
What is your favorite part of driving Centerline Road or North Shore Road that makes you smile the most?
It tickles me to see the crystal clear water views as I head north on the North Shore Road, especially when I see Caneel Bay, and of course the ever mystical Easter Rock, also known as "Egg Rock".
What is your favorite animal to see in the wild?
Gosh, I love to see every animal on land and underwater. But, I would say the bats at night are especially awesome, as well as the tarantulas that I occasionally see during the day. Also, schools of blue chromis and cuttlefish are some of my favorite underwater sea friends.