(she/her)

BOARD PRESIDENT/ CO-FOUNDER

Caitlin is a dedicated, passionate, consistent advocate for community-based disaster response. With over eight years of targeted disaster assistance volunteer experience, Caitlin is a founding member 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 almost 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.

(she/her)

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.

(she/her)

LEGAL DIRECTOR

Evian is an experienced attorney who has seen the devastation of disasters internationally. Evian brings to ELR over twelve years working in the legal field, with over half of that working specifically on disaster issues. Evian is licensed as an attorney in Louisiana, New York, and Israel, received her LLM and BA in Health Law and Psychology from the University of Haifa, and her doctoral law degree from Tulane University Law School, where she was a Fulbright Scholar. She is fluent in English, Arabic, and Hebrew. Evian has delivered multiple CLE-accredited lectures on disaster-related legal issues before the American Bar Association, the Louisiana State Bar Association, and the New Orleans Bar Association. Evian believes in the mission of ELR and knows that together we can provide the services to those who need it most.

(they/them/she/her)

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

As a native of New Orleans, Caroline has firsthand experience with disasters, having been displaced during Katrina and benefiting from disaster aid programs. She advocates for affordable and inclusive cross-state collaboration, believing it fosters resilient communities. Her advocacy work globally includes witnessing disasters such as volcanic eruptions in Hawaii, California wildfires, and Thailand's typhoons. Despite her love for travel, New Orleans always pulls her back home. As ELR’s Director of Programs, she pioneers innovative aid for the community

(he/him)

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.

(she/her)

BOARD MEMBER

Morgan Cattaneo is an interior designer and stylist in New Orleans and New York City. Her guiding principle is that people will create their power and purpose in the world when their home environment is comfortable and inspiring Morgan's work has recently been featured and published in Art & Design Magazine, Forbes, West Elm, Medium, Laurel & Wolf, and Fireclay Tile. She is also an experienced social media content creator and a member of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art. Morgan is a graduate of the New York School of Interior Design.

(she/her)

BOARD MEMBER

Evelyn, a passionate journalist, political and workplace organizer, and writer, uncovers corruption and advocates for justice. With a background in reporting and campaign coordination, she founded the Wharton County Recovery Team, securing $2.5 million for disaster recovery. Beyond her roles, Evelyn is an award-winning journalist, photographer, and committed volunteer. Residing in New Orleans, she collaborates with small businesses, conducts research with UNO-CHART, and specializes in tax memoranda at HORNE, aiding clients in Covid-19 recovery. Evelyn's diverse experiences reflect her holistic dedication to community and a balanced life in the vibrant city she calls home.

(she/her)

BOARD MEMBER

Victoria J. Cvitanovic is a lawyer, yoga teacher, and meditation instructor living in New Orleans, LA. As an attorney, Victoria has worked as a prosecutor, an appellate staff attorney at the state and federal levels, and a private defense attorney focusing on insurance and medical malpractice defense. Victoria currently practices with Wilson Elser, coordinating litigation for large commercial clients. As a yoga instructor, she creates welcoming fitness and meditation spaces for queer, transgendered, and non-binary individuals. As a fitness and meditation instructor, Victoria focuses on body-positive, fat-positive, and LGBTQIA+ positive classes adaptable for practitioners in all bodies. In her guided meditations, Victoria emphasizes building resilience and the capacity for working through our emotions.

(she/her)

BOARD MEMBER

Danyelle Colton, a devoted history major committed to providing free and accessible information for all, is a valuable member of our board and contributes her expertise as a leader in ELR's Communications Committee. Beyond her professional roles, Danyelle seamlessly integrates her passion for the arts as a catalyst for social change. As the founder of a local New Orleans-based magazine and with a diverse background in social media management, she excels in effective communication and brings a creative and dynamic perspective that is critical to nonprofit growth. Her dedication to closing the gap between legal complexities and the public aligns perfectly with our mission, making her an indispensable asset to our organization.

(he/him)

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. Patrick has a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Florida State University and a Master's in Labor Studies from CUNY.

(he/him)

VOLUNTEER ENVIROMENTAL 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.