Board of Directors

Michele Rivest retired from the NC Early Childhood Coalition, where she led a statewide network of organizations and advocates dedicated to early childhood issues. In this role, she directed policy initiatives, organized advocacy campaigns, and engaged in community outreach. Her professional background also includes work with the National Conference of State Legislatures and various state and local nonprofit organizations focused on children and families. Michele holds a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Colorado at Denver.

Michele has a lifelong love of wild and natural places and has explored dozens of parks and conservation areas across the country. Her family began visiting Topsail Beach over 30 years ago and was drawn to The Point’s natural beauty and tranquility. In 2019, she and her husband John retired to Topsail Beach. As a founding member of the Conserve The Point Board, Michele has been committed to achieving the community’s vision of permanent conservation for this special place. She enjoys birdwatching, kayaking, and sea turtle monitoring.

Debbie LaMay is a retired registered nurse with a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Delaware and over 45 years of clinical experience, including critical care and school nursing, as well as managerial and community outreach roles.

A homeowner on the southern tip of Topsail Beach for over 30 years, Debbie became involved in the Conserve The Point effort more than two decades ago. Her deep appreciation for this pristine coastal area—one of the last undeveloped places on the East Coast—has fueled her long-standing commitment to its protection. Debbie enjoys spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and dog, as well as traveling, gardening, and being on Topsail.

Nancy Patton is a founding member of Conserve The Point-Topsail and has served as Board Secretary since the organization’s launch in 2022. A passionate advocate for preserving undeveloped coastal land, Nancy helped create the South Topsail Stewards Program and currently chairs the Stewardship and Volunteer Committee.

Nancy is a retired educator with over 35 years of teaching experience in New York, and holds Master’s degrees in Developmental Learning and Reading. She also served as President and Chief Negotiator for the local teachers’ union. Nancy volunteers with the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, the Turtle Project, and the local food bank. A long-time Topsail Beach homeowner, she is dedicated to preserving The Point for her grandchildren and enjoys kayaking and long beach walks.

Beth Boyst retired from the U.S. Forest Service after a distinguished 30-year career, most recently serving as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) Administrator and Wilderness Management Specialist for Colorado’s White River National Forest. A specialist in land management, Beth focused her career on preserving and protecting wild places and trails through collaborative partnerships with volunteers and conservation groups. She holds a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Forestry from Colorado State University.

Beth’s love of wild places is rooted in her maternal grandmother’s deep connection to the refuge of Topsail Beach. Five generations of her family have cherished The Point, and in 2025 Beth joined Conserve The Point’s Board to contribute to strategic planning, collaborative management, and volunteer engagement. A passionate long-distance hiker, she has completed the entire Appalachian Trail and hiked more than 1,600 miles of the PCT. She and her husband, Phil, split their time between California and Topsail Beach, where they enjoy hiking, whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, and birdwatching.

Karen Danmyer is a founding board member of Conserve The Point-Topsail and currently serves as Chair of the Fundraising Committee. A retired public school teacher, Karen remains active in education through tutoring and lifelong learning. Raised in the Chesapeake Bay area, she grew up swimming, crabbing, and sailing, and was inspired by her uncle’s work with the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative.

Karen joined the board to help preserve the unique habitats at The Point for future generations, including her grandchildren. She holds a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and Master’s degrees in Special Education (Towson University) and Reading (Goucher College). Karen enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering at her church, reading, swimming, and walking—especially around The Point.

Ryan Meyer leads business operations and partnerships at Yoshi Mobility, a Y Combinator-backed startup focused on making car ownership seamless. Since joining in its early stages, Ryan has worked closely with the CEO and founders to scale the business, launch new markets, build strategic partnerships, and enhance operational efficiency. His work has spanned customer service, commercial strategy, and change management.

Prior to Yoshi, Ryan held positions in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors, specializing in public affairs, strategic planning, and project management. A native of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, he earned his MBA from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. Ryan and his family have spent over 30 years visiting Topsail Island and were early participants in the grassroots movement to prevent unwanted commercial development.