Board & Staff

My name is Susan Graham, and I am honored to join the team as Chief Development Officer. With more than 10 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, I have had the privilege of supporting both national and local organizations.

I began my career with the Alzheimer's Association, managing events throughout West Tennessee, before joining ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. At St. Jude, I led a portfolio of 12 national endurance events that raised $3 million annually and helped expand the program internationally. Most recently, I served with the Regional One Health Foundation, where I managed corporate and foundation relations and cultivated strategic partnerships to drive philanthropic growth.

I am grateful to be here and excited to help advance our mission and impact in the community.

Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in forestry from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree in city and Regional Planning from Clemson University. He is also a registered forester in Mississippi. This unique education allows him to assess the most important habitats for conservation. Ryan has grown his passion for protecting these special places over his tenure at Wolf River Conservancy. He particularly enjoys working alongside other passionate, mission-driven people and the challenge of each real estate transaction, which are often as unique as the landowners’ personalities.  

Ryan is a loving husband to his wife, Haley, and proud father to his daughter, Cypress, who challenges him daily and gives new meaning to his work. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and paddling with his family and their dog, Pepper

As the Director of Education for the Wolf River Conservancy since 2007, Cathy Justis provides a wide range of educational programming for K-12 students and other community members of all ages, including annual frog chorus walks, stream strolls, a summer lecture series, and educator workshops. In addition to classroom programs and field trips, she leads habitat restoration service projects to improve the Wolf River watershed, removing exotic invasive plants and planting native species. She is also involved in developing and managing the Conservancy's website, and editing its publications.

Cathy has a M.S. in aquatic ecology from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and over 25 years of experience in biology and environmental education. A Memphis native, she has worked for Lichterman Nature Center, the National Park Service, and Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission, among others, and served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer.

Matt is a native Memphian and graduate from Christian Brothers University with a degree in International Business and Management.